Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-11-08
RURAL FREE DELIVERY.

Asst. P. M. 6. Heath's Report Shows 1t to
Be Profitable and a Great Convenience.
Special to the Register.
WASHINGTON, November First
Assistant Postmaster General Perry
Heath's annual report chronicles the
successful extension of the rural free
delivery system, which has won popular
favor wherever tried. 1t was first es-
tablished experimentally under the ad-
ministration Of Postmaster General
Wilson, who put into operation in
three West Virginia towns, Halltown,
Charles Town and Uvilla, in 1896. Mr..
Wilson was not sanguine of the success
CT the experiment, but under the pres
ent administration the plan of deliver
ing mail in the country has been
found to be so practical and economical
as we'll as beneficial to rural commune
ties that it is no longer regarded by
the Postoffice Department as an expert
ment, and it's further extension is
strongly recommended as a permanent
policy. Last years appropriation of
100000 for the extension of this
branch of the service has been ex
hausted, and Congress will be asked
lOl du luCi SdSSu
Rural delivery Of mail is made from
seven different postoffices in West Vir-
ginia. The following facts regarding
these rural free delivery routes and the
amount of mail handled by each during
the fiscal year 1899 will he found of
interest: The Charles Town, Jefferson
county, route serves a population of
600, covering an area of 36 square
miles, with three carriers, handling
54,589 pieces of mail. From Halltown,
in the same county, one carrier serves
a population of 200, covering an area
of IL square miles, handling 14,015
pieces of mail From Martinsburg,
three carriers serve a population Of
1900 people, covering an area Of 80
square milSk, handling 6S,949 pieces of
mail. From Parkersburg two carriers
serve a population of 1,200, covering an
area Of 40 square miles, handling 25,3S7
pieces of mail. From Philippi, Barbour
county, three carriers serve popula-
ton of 1900, covering an area of so
square miles, handling 1858 pieces Of
mail. From Urvilla, Jefferson county,
one carrier serves population of 240,
covering an area of IA square miles,
handling 10000 pieces of mail. From
Wellsburg, Brooke county, three car
riers serve a population of $500, COW
ering an area of 45 square miles, hand
ling 1888 pieces of mail. The Philippi
and Wellsburg routes were established
May l and June of this year respect
lively, SO that the amount of mail han
died is only that for the last month or
furN Of q oil
ulation served syom the seven offices is
7,140.
Special Agent A. B. Smith, of Mar
tinsburg, who has travelled extensively
over the country in the interest of the
rural free delivery system, thus sum-
marizes its advantages: more letters
are written and received; more news
papers and magazines are read; more
intelligence is diffused; modern meth
DDS are employed on the farm, and bet
ter crops are harvested; rural life Uses
dts loneliness and desolation dreaded by
all, lands appreciate in value; aban-
doned farms are again occupied; con-
gested centers find an outlet; induce
ments to peeulation in the postal ser
vice are diminished; the service is
placed abreast of the times and in ac-
cord with the business sentiment of the
age"
Mr.. Smith, in his report, speaks In
high terms of the rural service in
Washington county, Pa, where eleven
carriers serve 10000 people in the
neighborhood of Washington. He re-
marks that there are numerous appli-
cations for further extensions and goes
on to say:
Washington county is one of the
best agricultural counties in Pennsyl-
vania. 1t is well adapted to the SER
vice, and l know of no locality where
it could be put into operation on an ex-
tensive scale to better advantage than