MILLTOWN IS PROUD OF THE NEW POST OFFICE

Wm. H. Crenning Made a Good Job of it — Postmaster Kuhlthau’s Salary Now Up to $2,000 a Year.

As the Milltown post office opened up its new quarters at; 7 o’clock yesterday morning, it is worthwhile to note a few items concerning its past history, as well as the present: One of the earliest postmasters was Philip Kuhlthau, when the U. S. mails were transported between Milltown and the city of New Brunswick by horse and wagon. Then the following postmasters took charge in succession: C. W. Kuhlthau, at North Mlilltown; the late George Roeder, at South Milltown; thence back again to C. W. Kuhlthau at North Milltown, and the late George Roeder at South Milltown; thence to Wm. H. Kuhlthau (the present incumbent) in the southern part of the town, where it has remained during the past 12 years. Wm. H. Kuhlthau has just received his commission for another term, and the office has risen to second class, owing to the volume of business transacted through the mails by the Michelin Tire Co. and the Wills W. Russell Playing Card CO., and the salary has been increased from a few dollars received by Phillip Kuhlthau to about $2,000. Miss Emma Kuhlthau is the assistant postmistress, and Miss anna Kuhlthau a clerk, both of whom are daughters of the postmaster. Up to the present time the Milltown post office has been invariably conducted in connection with a grocery store.

The new pest office quarters have been furnished complete by Wm. H, Crenning, who has entered into a contract with the Government for a number of years. The building in question was formerly known as the old public school house, situated on upper Main street, nearly opposite school street. It has been entirely renovated by Mr. Crenning. The first story is now being occupied the post office department, and the second story as a lodge room by Charles L, Walters Council No. 178 Jr. O. U. A. M.

The public lobby is about 6 feet 8 inches wide by 10 feet long. The work room is about 19 feet wide by 21 feet long. The postmaster also has a private room, which is about 7 feet wide by 10 feet long. There is also an additional room in the rear, which is about 12 feet wide by 28 feet long, where are located five individual wardrobes for the clerks and a large stock closet about 12 feet long by 8 feet high by 18 inches deep. The ceiling is 10 feet high.

The entire woodwork, which extends to the ceiling, is of kiln-dried quartered oak, highly polished and finished in golden oak of the latest design The chipped plate glass in the doors and overhead work is also of the latest design, and presents a fine appearance. All hardware is finished with oxidized copper. There are three doors in the equipment: one leading from tire lobby into the postmaster’s private room; one leading from the lobby into the workroom; and the other leading from the postmaster’s private room into the work room. One thousand two hundred and fifty feet of space is given to the whole office. All lettering over the doors and windows is of gold leaf, as well as the sign on the two large plate glass windows in front “Post Office, Milltown, N.J.”

BOXES TO BURN

There are 180 regular call boxes, with wire bottoms; 120 automatic lock boxes of different sizes, with perforated metal bottom. Also four windows; one for the money order division, one for the registered letter division, one for stamps and envelopes, and the other for call boxes. One burglar and fireproof safe, size 3 feet wide by 3 feet deep and 6 feet high, weighing approximately 5,000 lbs. The fronts of the lock boxes and drawers are constructed of solid bronze metal, lacquered, and all letters, marginal lines and frames are highly polished against a matted background, presenting an attractive appearance.  They are opened with a combination, similar to a safe. All boxes, both Wall and lock boxes, in this equipment designated for rental to the public have a brass name clip securely attached to a strip covering the intersections of wood on the postmaster’s side and hold a white card numbered in black, ready to receive name of renter.

The following furniture, etc., is also included in the equipment: One letter case containing 84 boxes 2x5x8 inches; one paper case containing 30 boxes 6×9½x12 inches; two stamp cabinets; one drop each for letters and papers; one large rolltop desk; one flat double desk, with three revolving office chairs; one standing desk, 36×60 inches, with two drawers, and one high revolving stool; one mailing case and table with slip pockets, stamp pad and 110 pigeon holes; one single stamping table; one dumping table and stamp pad: one facing slip case with 144 pigeon holes and base; one blank cabinet and bases; one money order, paid and unpaid advertising case with base; one letter press stand; five wood seat chairs; one watercooler and stand; one 4 ft. ladder; five waste baskets; two cuspidors; also one Schluter bag rack for holding 10 sacks with drop table and in fact everything for comfort of those within the office proper, including an eight-day clock. The general delivery, money order, registry, stamp and call wickets have a high grade grille of oxidized copper finish, in connection with the sash being glazed with obscure glass.

A PRETTY LOBBY.

In the lobby then are two 6ft desks located in the window casings for the benefit of the public; one advertised letter case; one bulletin board; and a 4 ft oxidized copper rail for defense at the general delivery window. There is also a Terrazzo floor in the lobby, which consists of chipped marble rubbed down to a smooth finish, after being laid in a bed of cement. This floor has a magnificent boarder all around and it can not be surpassed. The flooring in the main entrance to the office is also Terrazzo. All windows have shade and iron shields on the outside. The rear room is shelved for the storage of records and supplies, and it also contains a porcelain lined lavatory. It will be thus seen that the building is fitted up with all the requirement of the Government for a first-class office. It is needless to say that it is second to none throughout the State of New Jersey, or in fact, the United States, when you take into consideration the size of the borough.