The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-01-05


ceding postmasters general had eonsid.
cred it impracticable, and that they had
experimental with it without heart in
the matter. Only $50,OO0 had been ap-
propriated for experimental purposes
for an entire fiscal year-a sum wholly
inadequate to the task imposed.
Looking carefully into the matter and
receiving petitions from rural citizens
and grange organizations throughout
the country, Mr.. Heath concluded that
the system should be extended, and he
secured an appropriation of $3.50, 900 for
the first year of his term and another
appropriation of 100000 for the pres
ent fiscal year. With this amount at
his disposal he extended the work, SO
that he now says: 1T is no longer in
an experimental stage, but has reached
practical standpoint. With the CO.
operation of congress this rural free de-
livery service should be extended to the
entire rural population"
The annual report of the first assist
ant postmaster general shows that ru-
raj free delivery has been established
in all of the states of the republic, ex-
cepting Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and
Mississippi; and those exceptions have
been made because of the conditions of
the roads and the sparsely settled con-
dition of so many thousands of acres of
the public domain. There are 3s3 dis.
tributing stations for the rural free de-
livery service, and population of $780,
600 receives the benefit of these facili-
ties.
The rural free delivery routes de-
crease the incomes of fourth-class post
masters, and star routes are dispensed
with; so that this service has been es-
tablished in spite of the hostility of
many postmasters and Of all star route
contractors. All of these people have
more or less influence with senators and
representatives in congress, but the
first assistant postmaster general4says
that the plain people have more influ-
ence, and they are sustaining him in the
great work. He says: II believe it is
possible to extend rural free delivery
to millions of citizens without addition
al expense to the post Office depart
ment, and consequently without in
creased appropriations by congress-"
This practical and determined off,
cial has gone much farther than he orig.
inally anticipated. But, seeing the sue
cess of rural free delivery, he has caused
to be made a travelling post office, a
complete outfit on wheels. This ex-
pertinent has been made in Carroll
county. Nd, where a wagon eight feet
long travels over good roads, delivering
and receiving mail, canceling, deliver
ing, giving receipts for registered let
tiers and for money order applications
and performing all of the functions of
a stationary post Office. The wagon is
drawn by pair of strong horses on
route 80 miles long, and with a postal
clerk acting as postmaster. This exper-
iment has been entirely successful, GO
ing over the route in all kinds of wealth
er. and it only costs the government ST.
373 per annum, including the salary of
the travelling postmaster. 1t performs
the service formerly rendered by eight
fourth-class postmasters and four star
route carriers which cost the govern.
ment $1,000 per annum, giving the peo-
pie better service and saving money for
the government. SMITH d. FRY.
Reporting Progress.
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