Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-12-12
Rural Free Delivery.


given to the public, this week. is Of
more general interest than the section
devoted TO the subject of rural free
delivery. The extraordinary extension
of rural free delivery during the past
two years has been the most signiti-
cant and far reaching feature OF
postal development in recent times.
Many other striking advances have
been made but they were along lines
already well established. while rural
free delivery was something alto
eether new in this country and was at
first looked upon by many high in
authority as 4 doubtful experiment
But il is now past the experimental
stage and is a well settled part of our
governments postal policy. 1t has
been sufficiently tried in many sections
Of the country TO measure its effects,
and Postmaster General Smith asserts
that its material and measurable bene-
fits are signal and unmistakable.
The immediate and direct results are
clearly apparent. 1t stimulates social
and business. correspondence and SO
swells the postal receipts. Its intro
duction is invariably followed by a
large increase in the circulation of the
press and of periodical literature. The
farm is thus brought into direct daily
contact with the currents and move
ments of the business world. The
value of farms, as has been shown in
many cases, is enhanced. Good roads
become Indispensable, and their i'm
provement is the essential condition OF
the service. But the movement exer-
cises a wider and deeper influence.
II becomes a factor in the social and
economic tendencies of American life.
Rural free delivery brings the farm
within the daily range of the intel
lectual and commercial activities of
the world, and the isolation and
monotony which have been the bane
Of agricultural life are sensbly miti
gated. II checks the tendency TO leave
the farm. 1t proves to be one OF the
most effective and powerful of educa-
tional agencies. Wherever it is ex-
tended the schools improve, and the
civic spirit Of the community feels
new pulsation. The standard Of in
telligence is raised, enlightened inter
est in public affairs is quickened an6
better citizenship follows. The benign
influences of our free institutions
diffuse themselves widely and impal-
pably, but the arm of the government
is directly felt at few points. This
mails attest the visible presence and
service of the government, and not
least among the merits Of the rural free
delivery is its creation of the salts
flying conviction in the farmer that he
shares with the tOwnsman the mani
fest advantages of which the govern
ment is the direct minister. He feels
that the organized and helpful agency
of his country comes to his door, and
the effect is to stir his conscious pride
and stimulate his loyalty and patriot
ism.
All these advantages and benefits,
Mr.. Smith points out at length. AND
goes on to say that in view of these
results rural free delivery is plainly
here to stay and to be extended ove'
the whole country. 1t is project OF
comprehensive and colossal character,
but there is nothing impractical in il
and the difficulties are not insur-
nountable. The government is now
carrying the postoffice to the door o:
3l,O00.000 of people massed in town!
and cities. The task before it is the
more complicated work of carrying tht
postoffice to the door of about 21,0OO,-
600 scattered over 100000 square
miles of territory. Its magnitude j:
not to be underestimate. England
France, and Germany make rural free
delivery, their postmen going on foot
But England contains 5O.S67 square
miles, France 0i,092, and German!
POS $50. We are already covering with
rural delivery a larger area than Eng
land, all effected within the past tive
years. BY the end of the current
fiscal year we shall reach one-sixtl
of the q .0O0, 900 to be served. VIVA
has already been substantially accom-
plished is certainly capable Of sixfolC
expansion. The close of the presen
fiscal year Will see about; 1890 route:
in operation, carrying the mail dali!
TO the doors of not less than $500, oN
residents of the rural districts.
BY several methods of computation
which he goes into in detail Mr.. Smith
estimates that rural free delivery car
be extended practically over the whole
country at an annual cost OF less thar
sli00o000 This extension involves the
discontinuance of thousands Of fourth
class offices and star routes, resulting il
saving that goes far toward support
ing the new and immeasurably better