Milford chronicle., 1901-07-05
Free Mai Deliyery to Farmers

Commencing on Monday new rule of the
Postohice Department went into effect which
means much for Delaware. The rule pro-
vides for free delivery Of letters on what are
known as ''star:rOutes." A star route, as is
known to many, is one where mail is carried |
overland between two postOfllces which are
without railroad connections.
The effect of this order is really to furnish
a rural free mail delivery to districts which
are now without it and the advantages cap
readily be seen. For instance, a farmer liv-
ing along a star reute-like from Milford to
Argo, or from Milford to Thompsonvllle, but
/ a considerable distance from pOsio office can
have his newspaper delivered TO him each
day and can keep posted on the conditions of
the market and other important news. The
farmer on such a route needs to waste no
time going after his mail, but can secure it
right at his own home by complying with the
conditions.
Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Mary
land will be especially benefited on account
of the large number of star routes in this sec
ton The order which has been issued by w.
$. Shauenberger, secOnd-assistant postmas-
ter-general, says:
'Any person living on or near the route
: and not within the corporate limits of any
: town or within 50 rods OF any postofiice, who
desires his mail deposited into box on th'
line of the route by the carrier on said route
may provide and erect suitable box ON thu
! roadside, located in such manner as TO b'
reached as conveniently as practicable by TN
!, carrier, and such person shall file with tn
!, postmaster at the postofice to which his mai
- is addressed (Which shall be one OF the wv
poStoffices on the route on either side Of an
q next to the box) request in writing for Tn
delivery of his mail to the carrier on tn
- route for deposit into said mail-boX, at tn
:, risk of the addressed.
:, cit shall be the duty of the postmaster
W. every such postofiice upon written order
- any person living on or near the route, to d
- liver to the proper mail carrier foF that roui
~ any mail matter, except registered mail wit
N, instructions as to the proper mail box I'M
~ which said mail matter shall be deposite
Us but no mail matter so delivered to carri
- for deposit shall be carried past another pos
=, office on the route before being deposited in
- a mail box.
.The carrier will be required to receive fre
any postmaster on the route any mail m'
ter that may be intrusted to him, outside
the usual mail bag,and shall carry such mi
, matter TO and deposit it into the prop
-N boxes placed on the line Of the route for II
~ purpose; such service by the carrier to
,s without charge to the addresses.
ue ,eThe mail carriers must be able to read Il
W. write the English language, and be of su
'.,e cent intelligenceitO properly handle and
W I post the mail for boxes along the routes.
SaV 'The department does not prescribe a
avg particular design of box to be used for t
r'ss service, but the person providing box shO
ilen see that it is of such character as to aft
eN- ample protection for his mail. If there
mas lock attached key is not to be held by
sur carrier, as ne is eNpe cted tQsiepos I the n
into the box through an opening so arran
new MS not to admit of the mail being eXtrat
pas from the box thereby. The box should b
ave located on the roadside that the carrier
heir deposit mail therein without leaving his
hicle
hed' 'The carrier is not required to collect I
are from the boxes, but the law provides
out every carrier of the mail shall receive
81 lts mail matter presented to him, if prop
the prepaid by stamps, and deliver the same
dis mailing at the next postofiice Mt whic
arrives, but that no fees shall be allowed
an" therefor.
ne "The contract price covers all the ser
On on required of the carrier that is indie
herein,
d MS TThe box delivery above described
week auired by the contracts effective July l.
ne of ~ al tho star Roptes with hut few e,
tions) in the states of Maine, New Hamps
RY. Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
necticut, New York, New Jersey, Penns,
and MIA, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and
virginia"