The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-04

large profits: and unsavory scandals have
arisen in the postal service because Oh
the misdoings of several star route con-
tractors The government found by OK
pertinent that the rural carrier, while ne
was delivering letters and packages TO
the farmers, could also carry TO the town
formerly served by the contractor its
bundle of mail 1t found consequently that
the contractor was a superiority, ana that
his salary could be saved to the govern
ment. The rural carrier did the work
just as well and was cheaper. Inc star
route contractor is still a large FACTOR IN
the postal service of Indiana; but ms doom
has been pronounced by the success OF the
rural service; and like the old pony eX-
press of the Western plains and the stage
coach he must go; his passing Is only a
question of time.
Opposition from a third source came
from highly reputable class mainly In
the East, who feared the heavy expense
to which the government would be put IN
giving such generous service TO farmers.
They declared that the Postofice Depart
ment did not pay its expenses ana with
the institution of the rural delivery II
would simply swamp the treasury. When
Mr.. Heath first started his crusade for
rural delivery he was laughed at by an
Eastern senator of immense influence in
the upper house of Congress. why,
said that dignitary, ''if you succeed with
your idea every farmer in the country
will be clamoring for letters at his 'front.'
gate and il will cost the government SZO,-
600 900 the first year. IT was only When
the idea was dinged in their ears time and
was the only department of the govern
ment which is expected to pay its own
expenses, that it is not run TO make money,
but on broad educational lines, on the
theory of serving society in a generous
manner, that war the reform abated,
and the promoters of the reform were able
to succeed.
HOW TO OBTAIN IT.
To obtain a rural free delivery it is
necessary to conform to certain restric-
l,xrf
Office Department. A petition to the first
assistant postmaster general signed by all
who desire the service should be prepared.
1t should set forth the nature of the coun-
try where the delivery is desired; whether
the country is thickly sparsely popu-
lated; the principal vocations of the peO-
pie: the character of the roads and the
distances which under existing conditions
each person has TO travel TO receive his
mail; and it should be accompanied by
map or plat indicating the route or
routes proposed. Then the recommended
| ton and Endorsement of the local congress
man should be secured or that of one OF
| the senators from the State. When the
| department receives the petition in proper
| form ii refers the papers to the special
agent in charge of that division OF the rural
free delivery service The agent assigns
a special agent TO visit the location indi-
Gated, who maps out a route routes, and
selects rural carriers to be appointed by
the department.
Among the conditions for the establish
ment of a service, demanded by the de-
parment are good roads. That is a prime
requisite and without them it is practically
| impossible to get the service. No route
can be established under ordinary circum-
stances that is less than from twenty to
twenty-five miles in length which serves
| less than one hundred families. Each
| person served must put up at his own eX-
| pense appropriate and secure boxes for
! the reception of mail matter. All carriers
i Cd to civ hon Of al
| ing their salary. They required TO car
/ ~ with them stamps and postal cards for
| the accommodation of their patrons.
The institution of rural free delivery in
! the United States is under the direction of
| the superintendent of rural free delivery.
| Nominally he acts under the orders of the
! reality he is independent. His territory is
! divided into four divisions-the eastern,
middle, western and southern.
In charge of each division are officers
| entitled special agents in charge" and
| under them are special agents" Indiana
| is a part of the middle division with Hi
| nois, Michigan. Kentucky and Missouri.
All rural routes are inaugurated by these
| officers, but after they have been put in
successful operation they pass into the
control OF another department whose di-
| recting officer is called the Supervisor of
! inspectors. Frank NJ. Dice. OF Craw-
louisville, has charge of this division.
The officers of the rural free delivery
| service are characterized all over the coun-
| try by a remarkable enthusiasm for their
/ duties: and many OF them, on account OF
! the fact that the demands of service Is
never absent from their minds and that
] they are continually thinking discussing
! and planning how 20 better it, are called
"cranks." To these cranks. however the
/ Indiana farmer and the farmer OF every
/ State in the Union which has the benefit
/ of rural free delivery. owes a debt which
/ can never be paid: and which is constantly
/ growing heavier because of the rapid in
crease in the amount and quality of the
service provided.