Page:Immigration and the Commissioners of Emigration of the state of New York.djvu/133

Rh the immense quantity of baggage, which numbered at times 7,000 pieces. The new building, which was finished in October, 1869, at a cost of nearly $75,000, is 200 by 350 feet, and is amply sufficient to accommodate 15,000 pieces of baggage. The very perfect system by which the thousands of trunks and boxes are distinguished and delivered safely to their respective owners is well worthy of explanation. A brass ticket, with any letter of the alphabet from A to F inclusive, and a number from 1 to 600, is delivered to the emigrant on landing, and a duplicate fastened on his piece of baggage. The trunk or box is then placed in the baggage-room. This room has six bins, designated by the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, and each bin has six hundred numbers. Accordingly, when the emigrant produces his ticket, a baggageman at once goes to the bin indicated by the letter and number on the ticket, and delivers the baggage required. In case of necessity, all the letters of the alphabet can be used in a similar way.

The emigrants destined inland, on delivery of their check, take their baggage to the weigher's scales. After having been weighed and paid for, it is sent free of charge to the depot of the railroad or dock of the steamboat by which he leaves. Such emigrants as design remaining in this city and vicinity are directed to

V. The City Baggage Delivery, which ascertains the address to which the emigrants may desire to have their luggage sent, and takes their orders, exchanging the brass check received from the Landing Agent, on shipboard, for a printed paper one. The luggage is then promptly delivered in any part of this city and vicinity at a moderate rate of charges, approved by the Commission. At the same time, those having gold or silver which they may wish to have exchanged for United States currency are directed to one of three

VI. Exchange Brokers, admitted into the Depot, who changes their specie for a small advance on the market rate, which is set forth in a conspicuous place under the observation of the emigrant, the daily fluctuations in rates being duly noted.

These last three departments are conducted by responsible