Imperial Valley Press

NEW POST OFFICE DEDICATED WITH APPROPRIATE CEREMONY

Declaring that El Centro's handsome new post office is a monument to the pioneers of Imperial Valley whose courage and resourcefulness has led to the growth and development of this city and of the valley, F. E. Jarvis, postal inspector, delivered the chief address at this afternoon's dedication of the building.

Stating that he felt as if he really belonged in the valley since he has visited here frequently since 1911, Jarvis described the growth of this county, tracing the development of the local post office from its beginning in 1905, when the valley was still a part of San Diego county to the present magnificent edifice. History of the legislation and of the construction of the present building, with a tribute to W. H. Newman, under whose supervision the work was done, and to Col. D. Q. McComb, construction engineer, was given by Jarvis.

The new building he declared to be the finest and most up to date and represents the government's faith in the future of the valley.

This faith in the future formed the keynote for the speakers. The dedicatory services opened with the invocation by Rev. Carl C. Harwood of the First Baptist church, after which Russell Bennitt, accompanied by Mrs. Bennitt sang "The Builder" by Charles Wakefield Cadman.

On behalf of the city of El Centro, Mayor John T. Rice made the speech of acceptance, saying that the building is not merely an edifice of concrete and steel but it also symbolizes the urge of humanity for betterment, representing the community's desire for the finer things as well as the material. He urged a rededication of citizenship.

W. H. Tyler, Jr., president of the El Centro Chamber of Commerce which has been active in the move for a new post office, spoke briefly, saying that in giving the city the post office the government gave concrete evidence of its faith in the future of the valley and that it was the wish of the chamber of commerce that the vision be fulfilled.

Dr. E. O. Carter gave as a trumpet solo "Non E. Ver." America was sung by the audience and Rev. Gerald O'Keefe of St. Mary's Catholic church pronounced the benediction.

Postmaster Frank Richmond presided at the services and on the platform were seated the speakers, visiting postmasters, representatives of the board of supervisors, and others. In the background was a large flag and on the speaker's table a handsome basket of flowers

After the service the audience was invited to enter the building to inspect it. The walls are of grey marble, the floors of terra cotta tiling and the grille work makes the building unusually handsome.

Lighting fixtures add to the beauty of the building, while from the practical standpoint, every device has been worked out for the efficient handling of the mail.