One of the most important j features of the

One of the most important j features of the new letter sorters, Mr, Gronouski noted will be their ability to operate with ZIP Code optical scanning devices now being developed for the Post Office Department rhe scanners will examine the' ace of each envelope, locate he address, then instruct the etter sorters where to distrijute the envelope. Each machine utilizes 12 ceyboard operators, who can sort mail to six times the numser of estinations that could 3e achieved through use of the Did manual pigeonhole method --and in a fraction of the time. As a letter moves automatically in front of an operator seated at each console, he reads the address and presses several keys which automatically route the envelope to its proper destination. The machines, measuring 77.6 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 9 feet and 6 inches high, “will play a major role in speeding mail through these cities, reducing costs, and improving efficiency," Postmaster General Gronouski said. “This is in direct line with our policy," he noted, “ to install proven mechanization only where it can be economically justified in terms of increased productivity at less cost to the American taxpayer".