The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-08
GROWTH OF RURAL DELIVERY
ADDRESS OF f. vi. DICE on THI I'M
PORTANT SUBJECT.
Things Required for Betterment of the
Service Resolutions on the
Death of Mr.. Mckinley.
Special to the INDIANAPOLIS Journal.

NNAS III III OAoNAlCls Dul lNCulg -lNC VI NANAh
are women and twenty-nine Democrats.
None of the ladies was present at the gath
ering and of course the Democrats were
absent, it not being their day. Between
seventy-five and one hundred Republican
postmasters attended. Among the i'm
pOrtant features of the meeting were ad-
dresses by Francis NJ. Dice, superintendent
Of the middle division of rural free deliv-
cry, and c.. G.. Swain, of Richmond, in
spector of rural mail routes for the Sixth
district.
The first session was held at 1880 o'clock
at the assembly room of the county court
house. Postmaster Perry ]. Freeman, Of
Richmond, presided and told the object Of
the meeting. The chairman appointed the
following committee on permanent organi-
zation: Homer Havens, of Rushville;
Daniel Hazelrigg. of Adams; w. NJ. Roller.
of Greensboro; Bennett NJ. Grove. of Lib
erty, and John Payne, of Connersville.
The Dostmasters then listened to an ad-
dress from Francis NJ. Dice, Of Indianap-
oils. Mr.. Dice gave a brief history of the
organization of the rural mail service. He
said that when he went into the work in
1898 there were but fourteen special agents
&RHDANN%N w NeNAbAAlh AC0NNS III NAAo O0iA
try. In July, 1899, two divisions were
created. but now there are four-the East
ern, Western, Middle and Southern di-
visions. Mr.. Dice said that when he had
charge of the Western division he had all
the territory from the Ohio river to the
Pacific coast. The Middle division, of
which Mr.. Dice now has control, is COM
posed of the States of Indiana, Michigan,
Wisconsin. Illinois. Missouri and Kentucky.
a year ago in September Mr.. Dice had LBS
applications for rural mail routes pending.
Now there are 200 applications on file.
There are upwards of 400 different routes
in the State at this time. Mr.. Dice thinks
Indiana presents as great a field for the
establishment of the service as any other
State. The second route established in the
country was in this State-at Hope, Bar
tholomew county. Touching on the bene-
fits from rural mail delivery Mr.. Dice said
it was an impetus to the building of good
roads. This has been notably the case in
the counties of Upton, Boone and Clinton.
ENCOURAGES CORRESPONDENCE.
Mr.. Dice said that in Missouri much in
terest is being shown in rural mail delivery
and contracts have been let for roads and
bridges in anticipation of these routes. He
asserted that the rural delivery system has
encouraged letter writing. He told of hav-
ing met a man some time ago who said TO
him that his correspondence cost him much
more than under the old system because
he wrote about three times as many let
tiers. Mr.. Dice said the Sixth district is
as well supplied with rural mail routes as
any other district in the State. The speaker
recommended a State orga l~ization of post
masters. At the conclusion of Mr.. Dice's
talk many of the pOstmasters were ready
with queries, showing that they are taking
an active interest in the service.
Mr.. Dice was followed by Inspector
Swain. who gave his views of the rural
mail service. He told particularly of how
the service has succeeded in Kentucky:
The meeting then adjourned until 2
o'clock. At that hour the committee on
permanent organization made its report,
which was adopted. TIL officers of the new
organization are James Il. Caskey, of
Greensburg. president; w. S. Montgomery,
of Greenfield. vice president; A. ii. Rookie
Teller, of B~rookville, secretary; Walter
Lowry, of KnightStOwn, treasurer. James
Z. Caskey, A. II. Rockefeller and Walter
Lowry were appointed a committee on
constitution and bylaws. On the sugges-
ton of j. O. Lambert of MiddletOwn, a
committee was appointed to prepare reso-
lutions on the death of President McKin-
ley. This committee was composed of Mr..
Lambert, Frank M~osbaugh and a. NJ. Will
oughby. These resolutions are as follows:
"Whereas. The postmasters of the Sixth
Indiana congressional district, in con-
vention for the first time since
the deplorable death of the beloved Presi-
dent, William Mckinley, desire to express
our respect and appreciation or his serv-
ices as chief magistrate; therefore, be 1T
Resolved, That in common with all
the loyal and patriotic citizens of the
United States we deeply deptore the
death of President Mckinley as a national
calamity and denOunce in unmeasured
terms the spirit of anarchy which conceived
and executed the foul plot resulting in his
death.
I'm President Mckinley we recognize the
most lovable character, the most perfect
Christian gentleman, the broadcast minded.
far-seeing statesman and a chief magis-
trate whose chief idea and purpose was
to so serve the people as TO enlarge their
liberty, increase their happiness and pro-
mote their prosperity. His death Is a ma
tional loss, but his Administration Is one
which will live as long as the history of
the Republic is read. His name by his good
work and pure life is imperishably written
in the hearts of the people.
ITO the widow who has so bravely borne
UP under this great affection occasioned by
the death of her devoted husband we here
by tender our sincere sympathy
James +. Caskey, postmaster at Green's
burg. had the first paper of the afternoon
and discussed the topic. Good Mail Con-
nections,' which he said is the corner
stone of the foundation of success of the
present high standard of the mail service,
and should be studied and known in all
grades OF ONCE Mr.. CaSkey SAID mat "a
man devoid of pedigree by birth and a liar
and dishonest man by cultivation may
make d good postmaster If he has energy,
snap and some natural tact; but the care
less, indolent or lazy man, never. If a
postmaster sleeps his assistants Will slum-
Der. If the principal is lazy and negligent his
help will be Indifferent. On the contrary, if
the postmaster is Industrious. attentive and
studious, it will become contagious to his
employees. / believe the time is not far dis
tant, and IL should be here now. when post
masters and postofice employees Will be
subjected TO the same examination on the
dispatch OF mail as is now required or mail
clerks on railways. ! want now TO an
nounce that the Greensburg Office is at all
times ready for this advancement
IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED.
Mr.. Caskey was of opinion that there is
more of a necessity than at any previous
date for such improved conditions because
of the large number of rural routes being
started and the vast number Of electric
railways being built. all of which will and
is making many changes In the delivery of
mail. Mr.. Caskey declared himself as
heartily in favor OF using the CHECK sys-
tenn where errors occur. As experience is
a good teacher so checks are good remind
ers and make a lasting impression. Toward
the close Of his talk. Mr.. Caskey said: AT
your general delivery window by courteous
and kind treatment you win the plaudits OF
your constituents, but by the dispatch OF
your outward mails by scheme and SEIZED