The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-27
WHAT IT MEANS TO
THE SUBURBANITE
Some of The Great Advantages and Benefits That
He Will Enjoy on Account Of the Rural
Free-Delivery System.
VIII. HAVE a FIRST-CLASS POSTOFF1CE
AT HIS DOOR AND WILL WANT FOR NOTHING

the rural free delivery service brings about
an increase of from 100 per cent. to 200
per cent. il the amount of mail matter
handled within a year after its establish
ment. Naturally this large increase in
the amount OF mail handled directly, nf
sectS the receipts Of the Department. It
is probable that, largely on account OF the
rural free delivery service, the deficiency
in the postal service will be decreased
during the current fiscnl year about
million and a half dollars. There are now,
in satisfactory operation in the United
States about $500 rural free delivery
routes of which fourteen are located in
Virginia.
The first step to be taken in the estab-
!iShmett of i route is a petition for the
services from the citizens of certain
district. This petition must be endorsed
by the Congressman from that district.
When the petition is filed with the Post
office Department, it is made into what is
technically known as a case, and re-
ferred to the special agent in charge Of
the division in which the petitioners
State is located. The special agent in
charge then places the case" in the
hands of field agent who visits the
locality and makes a thorough eNamina-
ton of the existing postal facilities. He
then returns the case with recommen-
dations. The Department then issues
an order for the establishment OF the
service, but before doing so a most care
ful scrutiny of the agents report is
made, special care being taken not to
curtaii in any way the postal facilities
then enjoyed by the petitioners. While
on the ground the agent selects the car
riers who must be between the ages of
eighteen and sixty, possess fair educa-
ton, have a good Standing in the COM
l. = = t>yy tl,o
representative in Congress who approved
the petition for the establishment Of the
service. The Department also requires
that the carrier be bonded in the sum
of $500 as a guarantee of honesty and
faithful service.
The carriers salary is $500, but he is
allowed to carry passengers and unvaila-
bic packages containing legitimate goods.
and to act as agent for magazines, news
pa pers and periodicals. a bright. wide
awake carrier has demonstrated that he
can make in fees and commissions more
than his salary amounts to, and this will
no doubt be true of the Richmond car
riers, as the three routes. With this city
as Z base, have about three times the
average number of patrons of the rural
route. The carrier furnishes his own
horse and rig. and while he wears no uni
form he has badge fastened to his hat
or cap. This badge has q. white ground.
bearing in bold, black letters: Omitted
States Mail Rural Free Delivery and his
number.
FOR WOMEN, TOO.
Quite number Of rural carriers have
provided themselves with especially con-
structed wagons. somewhat on the order
OF a milk wagon. containing pigeon holes
for the casing of mail, and compartments
for carrying postal supplies. Besides
ample space has been provided for the
transport OF miscellaneous packages. for
which they receive fees. Unlike the city