Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-11-06
RURAL MAIL DELIVERY.
Postomcc Department Reports on
the Free Country Delivery.

RURAL MAIL DELIVERY.
Postomce Department Reports on
the Free Country Delivery.
Washington, Nov. 6.-The postoffice
department has made public the annual
report Of A. w. Machen, superintend-
ent of rural free delivery, for 1899. The
report is approved by First Assistant
Postmaster General Perry S. Heath,
and will be incorporated in his annual
report to the postmaster general. In his
report Mr.. Machen gives the history
and effect on the postal service general
ly of rural free delivery since it's estab-
lishment. In speaking of its beneficial
results, he says:
There has been nothing in the his
tory of the postal service of the United
States SO remarkable as the growth of
the rural free delivery system. Within
the last two years, largely by the aid
of the people themselves, who, in APP
probation of the helping hand which
the government extended to them, have
met these advances half way, it has inn
planted itself so firmly upon postal adj
ministration that it can no longer be
considered in the light of an experiment
but has to be dealt with as an estab-
lished agency of progress. awaiting
only the action of congress to determine
how rapidly it shall be developed.
ADVANTAGES OF THE SYSTEM.
THE facts hereinafter set forth. with
some elaboration of detail. which the
Importance of the subject seems to me
to warrant, will, 1 think, demonstrate:
That the free delivery of mails in
rural communities can be widely ex-
tended with great benefit to the people
and with little cost to the revenue.
That whenever the system has been
| judiciously inaugurated, With a sincere
purpose to make it a success. it has
been followed by these beneficial re-
suits:
Il. Increased postal receipts. More
lletters are written and received. More
| newspapers and magazines are sub
scribed for. So marked is this advance
ment that quite a number of rural
routes already pay for themselves by
| the additional business they bring.
| 80 Enhancement of the value of farm
lands reached by rural free delivery
This increase of value has been esti-
mated at as high as So per acre in some
/
TO SO per acre.
80. A general improvement of the
condition of the roads traversed by the
rural carrier. In the western states es-
lpecialy the construction of good roads
1 has been a prerequisite for the estab-
llishment of rural free delivery service
In one county in Indiana a specia
agent reports that the farmers incurred
an expense of over $4,000 to grade ane
gravel road in order to obtain rura
free delivery.
INCREASE IN FARM PRODUCTS.
~. Better prices obtained for farm
/ products, the producers being brough
into daily touch with the state of tbs
markets and thus being enabled to tax,
| advantage of information heretofor,
|unattainable.
70. To these material advantage.
may be added the educational benefits
conferred by relieving the monotony o
farm life through ready access t,
wholesome literature and the Keeping
of all rural residents, the young people
as we'll as their elders. fully informe,
as to the stirring events of the day. TIL
i moral value of these civilizing intlu
/
Mr.. Machen's report shows that o.
J the 1st of November, 1893. rural FIRE
delivery was in successful operatio
over SS35 routes. radiating over fort
states and one territory. as follows:
Alabama /; Arkansas L; Arizona, i
California, IA; Colorado. 5; Connecticut
s; Delaware, 4: Florida, i; Georgia, 4
Illinois, II: Indiana, Al; Iowa, 49, Kan
sas, II: Kentucky, .; Louisiana, l
Maine, Z: Maryland 10; Massachusetts
j Ii; Michigan. 10; Minnesota, Z; Mis-
souri,, -; Nebraska, 3; New Hampshire
5; New Jersey. q. New York, a; Mort
Carolina, i; North Dakota, 3; Ohio, As
Oregon, 3; Pennsylvania, -; Rhod
, Island. 8; South Carolina. 81; Sout
) Dakota, 2; Tennessee, 6; Texas, .
!, Utah, L; Vermont, 8; Virginia, A Wash
, Ilngton, Il West Virginia, 4, Wisconsin
i 10.
Idaho. Mississippi, Montana and WY
$ oming We're the only states not repre-
g sented.