Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1897-12-08
BETTER TAIL SERVICE.
Letter From Senator Carter Which Informs
Our Citizens Concerning the Action
Already Taken.

The efforts of theLewistownc citizens,
and friends from other towns, to Sc
cure a better mail service on the
Great Falls line, are already bearing
fruit, Senator Carter having secured
concessions from the department
which, though nothing further were
factory delivery of the mails. But
Senator Carter is not going to drop
the matter but intends continuing
his efforts until u mail route is es-
tablished and d schedule arranged
which will he satisfactory to the
patrons. Saturday last the follow
ing letter was received from the
senator:
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Nov. q, 1897.
Mr.. j. NJ. VRooMAN,
Editor Argus, Lewistown, Mont.
DEAR SIR:
Through the Argus l beg to report
to the persons who have cOmmuni-
Gated with me and all other persons
who may be interested, the action l
have taken and the present situation
with regard to h advertisement for
a mail contract from Great Falls via
Sand Coulee, l have had several
interviews with the second assistant
Postmaster-General and from him
learn that the advertisement was
inserted for carrying the mail to
Lewistown via Sand Coulee on the
suggestion of b postmaster at
Great Falls. After considering the
L xa nj. &, an, ~ II, IN. fs.Ana xx-bs.A x.,.
presented by me from the citizens of
Lewistown, supplemented by sugges-
lions which my familiarity with the
ground enable me to make, the
second assistant Postmaster-General
advised me that no award would be
made on the bids submitted in pur-
suance OF the advertisement referred
to. He further assured me that the
route would be readvertised for a
daily service from Great Falls direct
to Lewistown.
III in the opinion OF the people the
delivery of the mail at Lewistown
would be thereby expedited, l am
satisfied the department will adver-
tise for a through mail from Great
Falls via Belt and Stanford to Lewis
town, supplemented by a special
service from some convenient point
on the line, Stanford probably, for
the accommodation of Utica and
PhilbrOok. an not satisfied that
any considerable time would be
saved by this arrangement. I'm
d~oubtedly several miles of travel
could be avoided If the mail route ex-
tende over the most direct route
from Stanford to Lewistown, but
the question of time would be de-
pendent upon the condition of the
roads and upon this point, l would
be glad to have information.
Ii the people feel that any consider
able time would be saved by running
the mail coach from Stanford over
the most direct route to LewistOwn
and providing special service for
Philbrook and Utica in the manner
indicated, l shall endeavor to have
the ad advertisement conform to that
theory. l would also be gratified for
Information from yourself n the
various parties interested concerning
the most convenient time for the
business men of Lewistown to have
the mail arrive and depart. This
feature OF the case must be consider
ed in connection with the arrival and
departure of the mails at Great Falls,
as close connections with the mail
trains will be OF great Importance.
Very Respectfully.
1HOS. H.
After consulting with many of the
prominent citizens of Lewistown and
Postmaster Stephens, a reply was
forwarded to Senator Carter Mon
day. In this reply the opinion was
expressed that to bring the mail
directly from Stanford to Lewistown
would not result in a more prompt
delivery, but would give a poorer
service between Lewiston and Phil
brook and Utica. Though the road
by the Powell ranch is some seven
miles shorter than the stage road,
yet this route being Travelled com
paratively little, the roads would
often be in bad condition and the
mails thereby delayed. Beside ii
could hardly be expected that the
government would establish another
daily service from Stanford to Lewis
town via Philbrook and Utica and
local mail would have to go by way
of Stanford. Upon the matter o.
ton forwarded from here three weeks
ago was insisted upon. This SEIZED
ule provided for the mails leaving
here daily at l p. m. and arriving In
Great Falls II m. the following day
the stage leaving Great Falls at Z a
IN. daily and arriving at LewistOwr
at Z a. m. daily. The Senator's at
, tention was also called to the fac,
that the government does not seem
to insist upon the contractors fulfil
ling their contract in the matter ol
schedule and requested him to see
that steps were taken at one to
have the mails delivered here on
schedule time.
With this letter to Senator Carter
was inclOsed the following affidavit
of William W. LARSEN, who came
over the line last week and furnishes