Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1901-05-09
Rural Free Delivery.


extension of the rural delivery postal service
becomes available the first of the coming
fiscal year. Chief Machen of the free delivery
service, estimates the average yearly cost OF
one route at $500. At this rate, approx
mately 5000 routes, allowing for clerical hire
and supervision, will be installed during the
coming year.
The Postotfice department has issued in
structions, embodying department orders
and regulations, intended to guide commun'
tiles desiring to obtain n rural free delivery
system The first step to be taken Is to pre-.
sent petition. addressed to the First Assist
ant Postmaster General, signed by those who
desire the service. This petition should be
signed only by heads of families, and should
mention the number ofpcrsons In each family
over sixteen years ofage. Itshould set forth
the nature of the country where the delivery
is desired, whether densely or sparsely pop.
ulated, the principal avocatons OF the people,
the character of the roads, and the distances
which, under existing conditions, each person
has to travel to receive his mail, and should
be accompanied by n map or plat indicating
the route or routes proposed.
This petition, when properly signed, should
be sent to the Representative in Congress or
to one of the Senators, with a request that
he endorse thereon his recommendation OF
the service asked and forward the petition
TO the department.
Rural carriers give bond IN the sum of
$500 with two surcties. Each bond requires
so cent revenue stamp 10 be affixed. Car,
reis are paid by warrants directly issued by
the Treasury Department upon certificates
forwarded by the postmaster Their rate Of
pay is fixed by the department. and includes
horse hire, but not necessary toll or ferriage,
for which separate account must be rem
dered. The maximum rate Of pay as at pres
ent established is $500 per annum Tor full
route Of approximately rs miles or 800 per
annum for each miles Travelled on shorter
routes. One or more substitute carriers
should be provided in connection with each
service established, who must give bond in
the same sum as the regular carrier and who
alone arc permitted to carry the mails IN the
absence or disability of the regular carrier.
All rural carriers are under the general
control of the postmaster from whose office
the service Is established, and it is his duty
to report any derelctions upon their part
and to require them to strictly follow the
routes laid out for them. The postmaster,
however, is not authorized to make either
removals or appointment of carriers. These
are directed from the department.
A regular carrier must carry the mail reg
ularly every day of the year, Sundays only
excepted, save when sick or on leave Of
absence granted by the department His
failure 30 to do will result in demand for
his resignation and the promotion OF the
substitute, If fitted. The policy of sublcttng
rural carriers work at convenience will not
be permitted. When substitute performs
service in the absence Of regular carrier he
VIII receive the full paw of the carrier.
Rural carriers are required to take with
them on their trips for the accommodation
Of their patrons a sufficient supply of stamps,
stamped envelopes and postal cards, Post
masters may, il they choose, give credit To
the carrier FIR stamp supplies to the extent
of IS, to be accounted for each day, and the
carriers bond being responsible therefore.
If the carriers find an unstamped letter in n
collection box, and the requisite amount OF
money also deposited. they are instructed to
aff1x the necessary stamp. They are empow'
cred to register the same, giving and taking
receipt in forms provided. They are also
authorized to accept money for money orders
giving their receipt therefore. and, if the
patrons of the delivery desire to make the
carrier their agent for this purpose, the car
rier may enclose the ORDERS when issued, in
addressed envelopes confined to his charge
an mai them without returning the orders
| to the sender.
The establishment of rural free delivery a
any postoffice does not change in any partic
ular the rate OF postage on any class of matte
rec eived or delivered from that office, exCep
that the one.cent rate on drop letters doe
not apply when such letters are coll ected o
delivered by rural carriers. Drop letters 81
collected or delivered must be prepaid at tn
rate of TWO cents for each ounce or fraction
thereof