"The Postal System of the United States and the New York General Post Office" by Thomas C. Jefferies is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This work provides an in-depth look at the development, operation, and significance of the United States postal service, particularly focusing on the New York General Post Office. The book likely addresses the intricacies of postal operations, highlighting the human element involved in the service and the various officials that manage this extensive network. The opening of the book outlines the foundational importance of the postal system to American society, emphasizing its evolution into a service oriented towards the public rather than profit. It introduces key figures such as Hubert Work, the Postmaster General, who advocate for a humanized approach to postal service management. The text highlights the need for improved public understanding of postal operations, stressing the importance of skilled and knowledgeable postal workers in ensuring efficient service delivery. Furthermore, Jefferies underscores the monumental growth of U.S. postal operations, evidenced by statistical data on the increasing volume of mail and the evolving structure of postal services, from early colonial efforts to modern-day complexities. (This is an automatically generated summary.)