Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-12-13

cred an area of 30,756 square miles,
with 1875 routes. The cost per route,
including the compensation of carrier
and incidental expenses, but not adj
ministrative expense, is fixed at SOLO.
This makes the total cost for 1,276
routes, covering 30,756 square miles,
$500, 76O, ors21.16 per square mile, or
Tor million square miles, $21, 160,0 900.
The second calculation is on the
basis of population. The strictly
rural population of the country varies
little from 24,000,000. 1t is believed
that upon moderate estimate 3,OOO,-
900 of this number live in territory
beyond the possible reach of free de-
livery, leaving 21,000,000 within reach.
Inc cost OF the service, as it now ex-
lists, Is 92.7 cents per capita. At this
rate the cost of 21,000,000 people
would be $19,467, 900.
The third computation takes the
county as the basis. There are in the
United States. excluding Alaska, 2,S43
counties. Applying the same per-
centage, which on the best informa-
ton obtainable was determtnative of
the area to be considered, it is found
that 1881 counties, or their
equivalent are suited to free
delivery. The cost in Car
roll county, Maryland, where full
county service is in operation, is $22,-
5O0. In Washington county, Tennes-
see, the cost is $15,6OO. The average
OF the two is $19,050. If they were fair
samples this might be taken as basis
but both counties are hilly, their ply
steal subdivisions are irregular, and it
is the opinion of special agents who
have given the subject careful study
that the cost is higher by one-third
than it would be in counties of the
middle western states which are gen
orally level, and where the roads are
laid out on the section and quarter-sec-
ton lines. 1t is estimated that one
half of the 1881 counties are of the
latter class, and may be served at a
cost OF one-third below the average of
Carroll and Washington, or that the
average cost for the whole would be
one-sixth less. This would make the
average cost per county s15,8OO, or
$2l ,029,800 for the 1881 counties.
These three methods of computation
bring results which closely approach
each other and their average, s2O,555,-
900, may be accepted as a fairly ap-
proximate estimate of the gross annu-
al cost of maintaining rural free deliv-
cry thruout the territory where it is
reasonably feasible. But IL presents
only one side of the account In or
der to ascertain the net cost of such
general extension it is necessary to
deduct from this amount the savings
effected by the discontinuance of 9th
er service which free delivery displaces
and the increased receipts it may be
expected to bring. The sum Oh these
items can only be inferred from the
indications already given.
But taking conservative exhibit, the
net result Of the extension Of rural
free delivery to 100000 square miles,
or all the eligible portion of the coun-
try, would stand thus:
Estimated gross cost. $20,555, 900
Deduct estimated
savings from dis
continuance of
fourth class Offices
of ..... -. .....s2,75s.4oo
Deduct estimated
savings from dis
continuance of
star routes 49,. 100000
Deduct increased re.
celpts 80. l,513,978
-- 6,773,376
Net annual cost of rural
free delivery $3.50. $13,782,224
1t thus appears that rural free de-
livery can be extended practically ov-
er the whole country at an annual cost
of less than $14,000,000. AS the APP
preparation for the current fiscal year
for this purpose is $1,750,000, an ad-
ditional outlay of $12,000000, unless
unforeseen demands should come,
would substantially take the mail ev-
cry day to every door in the land.
This assumes that the cost shall not
exceed the present rate. If carrier
service can be maintained at the exist
ing compensation, it assures this lin
itation. With rigorous restraint the
expenditures in this particular service
can be restricted to the fixed bounda-
ries, while the revenues will steadily
advance. 1t will hardly be disputed
that the great result of carrying the
postoflce to every home, if it can be
accomplished at such comparatively
small cost, is an object well worth I'M
dertaking.
How to Pay For 1t.
This duty is emphasized and enforc-
ed when we consider some other
phases of the postal question. In my
last annual report it was shown that
if class of publications, which now,
under an evasion of the purpose of the
law, pay the second-class rate of post
age, were really made to pay the third
class rate, as they ought to do, it
would bring additional revenue to the
government of $12,343.612 This
amount is lost thru an abuse that can
be and ought to be rectified. 1t is a
public contribution without and pub
lie advantage for the sole benefit of
few private interests. The cost to
the government of this abuse is al
most exactly equivalent to the esti-
mated cost of broad national rural
free delivery, and if it is question
between favoring very limited num-
Der Of publishers and favoring twenty
one millions of people who live on the
farms of the United States, there
ought to be no hesitation in serving
the many rather than the few. me
abuse should be uprooted as a public
duty; the national delivery service
should be undertaken as a public