THE MUSEUM OF FAMILY HISTORY presents

Guide to the United States
FOR
THE JEWISH IMMIGRANT

AN ABRIDGED NEARLY LITERAL TRANSLATION OF THE SECOND YIDDISH EDITION
from the 1916 book of the same name by John Foster Carr

Home       l       Site Map      l      Exhibitions      l     About the Museum       l      Education      l     Contact Us       l       Links

   LIVING IN AMERICA: THE JEWISH EXPERIENCE   |   EXHIBITION   |   NEXT ►►

SAVINGS BANKS.

It is dangerous to carry money in your pocket or to leave it at home. It is also dangerous to entrust it to the so-called private banks. In the last ten years at least $100,000,000 has been lost by immigrants confiding their hard-earned savings to private bankers, who have failed or absconded.

But savings banks everywhere in the United States are under the constant supervision of the state, and your money with them is entirely safe. An account can be opened with as small a sum as $1, and they will accept deposits up to the amount of $3,000. The rate of interest paid by the savings banks varies from 3½% to 5% per annum. They are often open certain evenings of the week. By the law of New York women and children have the control of their savings bank account.

Savings banks are instituted for the purpose of encouraging thrift and the habit of saving on the part of the people. The deposit with them regularly of a small sum soon accumulates, with interest, to a large amount. Ten cents deposited each day with interest at 4% will amount in five years to $197.70; twenty­five cents each day for five years to $494.25; fifty cents each day to $988.50.

The United States Government has established a Postal Savings system, by means of which any person over ten years of age can deposit money at a Post Office with the guaranty of the Government for its repayment. Withdrawals can be made at any time without notice, and interest at two per cent is paid for each year that the money remains on deposit. No one can deposit more than $100 in anyone month, nor have more than $500 on deposit in his account. The service was established at all large Post Offices in 1911 and is to be extended to all Post Offices where Money Orders are sold.


SENDING MONEY.

There are only three safe ways of sending money either abroad or within the United States. Send money exclusively in one of these three ways.

1. POSTAL MONEY ORDERS-- A simple way for those who only understand Yiddish, because we have printed a facsimile of the official blanks below. These money orders may be obtained at about fifty-five thousand post offices in the United States. The system is very economical and simple.
 

 

Top: Postal Money Order Blank--Payable in the United States.

Right: Postal Money Order Blank--Payable in Russia.

Click on photographs to enlarge.

FEES TO RUSSIA, AUSTRIA, HUNGARY, GERMANY-- The charge varies from 10c. for $10 to $1 for each $100 transmitted. The maximum amount for which a single international money order may be issued is $100, but there is no limit to the number of international money orders which may be issued in one day to the same remitter in favor of the same payee. Attention must be given to the following rules: The full address of the payee must be given. This must include the street and number, if he lives in a city. If payment is to be made to a married woman or widow, her husband's name should be given as well as her maiden name. Money Orders may be filled out in Russian or German characters, but Hebrew characters must not be used.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES and our island possessions, also including Canada and most of the West India Islands. The rate varies from 3c. for $2.50 to 30c. for $100, and again the maximum amount for which a single money order may be issued is one hundred dollars.

2. FOR THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND ENGLISH, the American Express Company sends money anywhere within the United States or abroad very cheaply and safely.

3. ALMOST ANY NATIONAL BANK AND ALMOST ANY SAVINGS BANK OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK CITY will also send your money cheaply and safely.

SPECIAL NOTICE-- USE NO OTHER MEANS EXCEPT THOSE ABOVE INDICATED FOR SENDING YOUR MONEY.
 

POSTAL RATES AND REGULATIONS.
 

TO RUSSIA, AUSTRIA AND TO ALL OTHER FOREIGN COUNTRIES NOT INCLUDED IN THE DOMESTIC RATES--

Letters, manuscripts--anything in a sealed envelope--pay five cents an ounce, and three cents for each additional ounce.

Postal cards, single two cents each, double four cents each.

Postal cards with no writing except the address (not even the date), one cent.

Registered letters pay the usual rate, five cents for each ounce, and in addition, ten cents for registration.

Papers and periodicals, books and printed matter, one cent for each two ounces.

ANYWHERE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, and to Guam, Hawaii, Philippine Islands, Porto Rico, Tutuila, the Canal Zone and to Canada, Cuba, Mexico and the Republic of Panama:

Letters, manuscripts, and anything sealed, two cents for each ounce or fraction.

This rate also applies to letters for Germany, Great Britain and Ireland.

Postal cards one cent.

Newspapers and periodicals one cent for each four ounces or fraction.

SPECIAL DELIVERY LETTERS-- Placing ten cents in stamps upon an envelope in addition to the regular postage, and writing in a clear hand beneath them "Special Delivery", secures immediate delivery of the letter within the carrier-delivery limit of the city free delivery, and within one mile of any other United States post office.

REGISTRATION-- Registration provides for safe transmission and correct delivery. The United States registered mails go to every post office in the world. All valuable letters and parcels, with valuable contents, should be sent registered. Registry fee is ten cents in addition to the regular rate, whether for foreign or domestic mail. Do not forget to keep the receipt given you for your letter. Without extra cost, every registered letter, or parcel prepaid at the letter rate, mailed at, and addressed to any United States post office, is insured against loss up to a value of twenty-five dollars. Letters and parcels may be registered at any post office or at any post office station.

Post offices and postal stations are open for registration from nine in the morning until six at night.

PARCEL POST--FOREIGN-- Sending parcels to Germany, Austria and most foreign countries the rate is twelve cents a pound or fraction. The limit of weight is eleven pounds. The registration fee is ten cents. Parcels can only be sent to Russia by pre­paying letter rates--five cents an ounce, and three cents for each additional ounce. Such parcels are subject to the inspection as well as to the regulations of the Russian Post Office.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES-- The parcels post service forwards merchandise of every kind at small cost. The rate varies with the distance and weight. Up to 150 miles, the package must not weigh more than 50 pounds. Over 150 miles, 20 pounds. No package must be more than 72 inches in length and girth combined. For a small additional fee, packages may be insured.

Parcels of any size, or weight, which do not contain explosives or perishable goods, may be sent by any one of many express companies. The most important of these are:

Adams' Express Company

American   "             "

National     "             "

Pacific       "             "

Southern    "             "

W ells, Fargo & Company

Their rates do not differ greatly, and often are about the same as those of the post office. They have branches in even the smallest towns in the United States.


                                                                      
TELEGRAMS.

The telegraph service is by private companies and not by the government.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES-- The rates vary according to distance. It is always a fixed rate for the first ten words, and so much in addition for each additional ,vord. The name, address, and signature are sent without charge.

ABROAD-- The rate varies for different countries. To Russia the rate from New York City is forty­three cents for each word; to Austria thirty-two cents; to Germany twenty-five cents. In telegrams to foreign countries, every word must be paid for, including name, address and the signature.

 

 

 


 



 

 


 











Copyright © 2009. Museum of Family History.  All rights reserved. 
Image Use Policy.