The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-21

since the Inception Oh rural Tree Hldi w
livery many changes and improvements
have been made in the systenN Originally
begun as an experiment. it has progressed
until the experimental stage has well-nigh
given way to an established, permanent
scheme of supplying the residents Of the
country districts with their mail
Between the beginning OF the fiscal
year, July !. 1899. and November /, 1899, an
additional appropriation Of sl5O,O0O, which
became available on July /, 1899. brought
about the extension of rural free deliVery
TO $4,000 persons, at an annual cost OF %
cents per capita. and the establishment OF
243 additional routes, so that on November
/, 1899, rural free delivery was being sue
cessfuIly operated from 3sS distributing
points. radisting over forty-one States and
one Territory, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming
and Mississippi only being represented.
There is always an enormous increase in
postal receipts following the establishment
of rural delivery. and corresponding re-
duction in the cost of fourth-class post
Offices. and star routes have been practical
ly superseded by the new service.
As a matter of fact. the postoffice au-
thorities say, there has been much oppose
ton to rural free delivery on the part of
postmasiers and star-route contractors;
by the former because of the alleged TAX
ing taking away of patronage from the
postmaster merchant and deprivation OF
postal receipts which he would be entitled
10 retain as his personal compensation:
by the latter because of loss occasioned
by the above mentioned discontinuance OF
star routes.
In IT'S EnrIy Days.
The present First Assistant Postmaster
General states that when he entered Upon
his duties in 1897, he was surprised to find
Congress had appropriated $4,000 for
further test, and that he scarcely knew
the experiment was in progress. This was
because of the little attention attracted by
the Inauguration OF the system. He fur
Their says: An examinat'~a of the reports
on file led to the conclusion that great pos
sibilities OF social, Industrial, and educa-
tional development lay behind the project
ed extension of postal facilities in rural
communities. and that. with proper care
in the selection of localities. the service
could be extended far and wide, with great
benefit to the people. and without any Sc
eminent. inasmuch as the increase of pos
tai business which had hitherto followed
the granting of additional facilities in ev-
cry Yell-seleeted rrral route, would go
far toward the payment of the extra eX-
Dense incurred: while the 1iscontinuance
of unnecessary postoffices end star routes
would in many cases maxi the improved
service a source OF saving instead Of added
outlay
c., 20 in
the Postoffice Departs from those sec
lions Of the country where the service had
been given a fair trial, that special agents
were appointed TO look into the matter. and
to lay out services where the conditions
were favorable. Congress appropriated
Sl50. 600 for rural free delivery for the ifs
cal year 1898 and for the same purpose
has given 100000 for the current fiscal
year.
Growth of the System.
Upon this subject the First Assistant
Postmaster General says: 1.-The requests
for the service multiplied like an endless
chain, every new rural delivery route es-
tablished bringing IN three or more ap-
plications from contiguous territory for like
privileges, and, before four months of the
present year had expired, the appropriation
was found to have been practically appor
toned out. That is to say, the existing
service il continued to the close OF the
fiscal year. would require the disburse-
ment of the whole amount appropriated by
Congress. AS did not deem myself au-
thorized to create a deficiency. even in SO
popular and important a work of postal
development, halt was reluctantly called
in the installation OF new rural free de-
livery service to await the further direc-
tons of the Congress.
In the details of the service there has
been a very decided improvement. For in
stance the question of insecurity and i'm
proper character of the mail boxes was
gravely considered by the Department. In
the early days of the service. when there
was little hope OF rural free delivery pass
ing the experimental stage, no care what
ever was taken in the selection OF mail
boxes or receptacles. Tomato cans. cigar
boxes, soap boxes, and even parts of old
Btove-pipes, were used, and might be
frequently seen sticking out OF hedge rows
End other spots far from the drivers reach
a systematic endeayor is now being made
10 correct this condition OF things and the
Department has recommended that uniform
boxes be provided and maintained by the
Government, a moderate rental being
charged. One decided advantage which IL |
Is claimed would result from the last |
named innovation would be that it would |
confer upon all the mail boxes in the rural |
Bervice the protection Of the United States |
laws. and enable the department to
promptly punish malicious damage or
fepredatiOns.
Protection of Letter Boxes.
Saws the First Assistant Postmaster Cen
cral on this point: 1T is question now
whether mails placed in the ordinary rural
letter boxes for collection OF delivery. fall
within the provisions of sections 1923 and
1424 Of Postal LAWS and Regulations, which
prescribe penalties for malicious injuries
10 letter boxes or destruction OF mall mat
Ter deposited therein. On the one hand,
letters placed in such boxes for collection
have not yet reached the custody OF the
postal authorities; on the otter hand, let
tiers placed in such boxes by the carriers for
delivery have left the custody Of the postal
authorities and have not yet reached the |
owners. All uncertainty on these points |
would be removed II the boxes were pro- |
vided By the Government. Each would then |
be miniature postoffice and persons |
guilty of malicious molestation or theft |
would clearly be a-ienable to the penalties |
prescribed by the laws OF the United /
States.
The special delivery wagons have also |
in some cases been improved upon II |
is said that there Is at Lafayette Ind, 4 |
model service In all respects The |
carriers at that point are governed by |
the same rules as the carriers in the cit |
les. They wear the same uniform, pro- |
vided at their own expense. and each has |
furnished himself with a special delivery |
wagon with "U. s. Mail" Rural Delivery |