Mail, Marines

Discussion at a Cabinet meeting last week centred about the mail truck hold-up at Elizabeth, N. J., in which a Government employe was killed and $300,000 worth of registered mail was stolen. Postmaster General Harry S. New arose with a battle cry: "If it takes the Army and Navy to do it, the United States mails must be protected and the lives of postal employes safeguarded."

The next day Mr. New held conference with Major General Lejeune, Commandant of the Marine Corps, with the result that the marines were forthwith assigned to guard railway terminals, postal cars, and mail trucks which carry registered mail.

As soon as Congress convenes, the Postmaster General will ask for special appropriations to build more powerful railway mail cars and armored trucks.