The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-05-04

A SMOOTH ROAD Lessons SPACE.
iects Of the postofice department and
The road inquiry Of the department Of
agriculture are similar in this.
70 promote the business, social and
educational interests Of the people.
In selecting roads to be improved we
take those that will give these results as
far ss possible.
We give preference to roads leading
to important centers, through villages
and thickly settled portions of the coun-
try.
Roads upon which star routes or
messenger service to carry the mails
have been established.
Roads passing by or near school
houses, public halls, churches and IN
dustrial establishments.
Villages are built up from the neces-
sites Of rural communities, and the in
terests Of both are promoted by close in
terconrse.
On permanent roads-those which
are hard, smooth and fit for use at all
seasons of the year-mail can be carried
at much less cost end less time than on
other roads. Rural free delivery Of
mails may be substituted in many cases
on these roads for. star routes and mes
sanger service with saving in cost and
better service.
The advantages Of delivering letters
to factories and other industrial estab-
iishments. particularly where large
numbers are employed, need not be
dwelt upon. The mails left at public
schools can be distributed to q great
number Of families through the pupils
living remote from postof1c and carrier
routes Letters brought to the nearest
school for mailing can be taken by
the rural letter carrier to the nearest
postoffce for mailing. Teachers can use
these letters as object lessons in giving
suggestions and instruction in regard to
proper, plain and neat addressing, etc.
In schools remote from postofices the
teachers might with advantage be mede
stamp agents and in this way families
far away from postoffces can be sup
piled with stamps, stamped envelopes
and postal cards. This will promote let
ter writing and use Of mails and will
also insure more regular attendance.
would respectfully recommend that
in the selection OF roads in the future
for improvements the above suggestions
be considered and that the postofhce de-
partmen. in establishing routes for ru-
raj free delivery use the improved roads
wherever possible.
The carrier whenever practicable
should be allowed, to arrange with the
officials having charge of the improved
roads for himself to act as inspector or
care taker Of the road over which his
route runs. In this way he could many
times prevent waste and damage to the
road from sudden showers or thaws, and
he could also report promptly to tie
road officials all washouts or other dam
age es Importance requiring Immediate
sttention. He should be allowed to re-
eeive such compensation as he snd the
road officials may agree upon. This
compensation would enable him to equip
himself for better service and need not
interiors with the prompt delivery OF
mails, and at the same time would help
to secure proper maintenance Of the
road.
would respectfully suggest that the
road inquiry Of the department. Of agzi-
culture and the postofice department
work in harmony on the lines above
mentioned TO secure the best possible
advantages for the business, social and
educational interests Of the people.