The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1902-11-13
INFORMATION AS TO RURAL DE-
LIVERY.
Marietta, Ga. Nov. sth, 100:

nine RoraI Free Delivery Routes
(Nos. /, ,, 3, 4, s. 8. 7, s, and Do from
Marietta p. 0. on the 18th inst /
respectfully submit some of the essen
tial requirements and features of the
rural free-delivery service and beg that
you disseminate the same for the
benefit OF the patrons of the aforenam-
ed routes.
Each person desiring the rural free
delivery service must erect TAT his own
cost box by the roadside, so that the
carrier can easily obtain access to it
without dismounting from his vehicle.
The same box must not lie used for
more than one family. except in cases
of near relatives or those residing in
the same house. Persons neglecting or
refusing to comply with these condi-
tions will be regarded as not desiring
rural free delivery, and the rural car
rier will be directed not to serve them.
Except when circumstances permit
the delivery to be made practically in
the farmers doorysrd, each box should
be fitted with combination lock of
uniform design for each route, with
one master key for the carrier and seE-
arate keys for each patron. To facili-
tate the carrier in making his collec-
tons, and in order that he should not
lose time by stopping at box where
he has no mail to deliver and where
there is none for him to collect, some
form of signal should be used, the
simpler the better. Preference should
be given to those signals that can not
be easily tempered with or get out of
order.
Rural carriers are not required to
deliver mail to houses back from the
main road, except in the case of regis
tered mail, special delivery and pen
sion letters. The patrons are expected
to meet the department halfway by
affording the carriers every facility for
the performance of their duties, and
using their influence to maintain the
conditions of the road in all weather up
to the standard required by the De-
partment.
1t is generally conceded that no
branch of the great postal system is MS
popular as the rural free delivery SER
vice. This is due to the extension of
all postoftice facilities to the very doors
of the people in that the carrier per-
forms all the functions of postmaster.
He not only delivers and collects ordi-
nary mail, but he carries supply Of
stamps and stamped paper, registers
letters and parcels, and receipts for
money for the purchase of money or
ders. 1t is evident, then, that the
more easily and conveniently the car
rier performs these functions the more
satisfactorily and popular the service
| becomes The greatest obstacle the
carriers from Office will encounter will
be the unimproved condition of some
! of our roads,
To be really efficient and satisfactory
! rural free-delivery service must be
| performed with regularity and pune
tuality. Excepting Sundays it must be
performed daily, and, under ordinary
weather and road conditions, in such
| manner that a patron may know with
some degree of certainty at what time
every day the carrier will pass his mail
| box. Then If he wishes to transact
| business with carrier he can do so with
out wasting any time, for he will know
! just when the carrier will arrive at the
box. j am directed to see that all
| carriers leave this Post Office for the
| delivery of their mails at 9:45 Z. M.
The Hon. First Asst. Postmaster
| General, in his report under date Of
| November 18th, 1901, says 1.-THE aim
of rural free delivery being to serve the
largest number of patrons with the
best service, individual and selfish in
terests must often be ignored in order
to secure this end, and projected routes
must he extended, curtailed or changed
to best serve the majority. 1t is found
as a rule that the friction that some
times exists when new routes are first
put into operation wears rapidly away
| as the service becomes known, and the
patrons adjust themselves to the new
condition of things" AS quite a num-
Der Of complaints have been made to
me Of various routes as laid out, wish
to say to their respective patrons that
will, Immediately, go over each route
| with the carrier in order that may
make myself perfectly familiar with all
roads traversed Tor that should be
traversed) by the Marietta carriers,
will then be better qualified to make
recommendations to the Department
for such extensions or changes as will
best serve the majority of the patrons
of the several routes.
Allow me to say, in conclusion, that
it is my earnest purpose to give the pa
irons of the routes radiating from Ma
rietta perfect service, and to this end
! trust they will advise me, as their
servant, Of any ana all things that are
unsatisfactory.
The routes to be followed, for the
| present at least, will be as laid down
by Special Agent w Shriver and no
change must .be made in the routes as
| thus laid down unless by direct order
from the department.
Very respectfully
DEWITT COLE, 7. NJ.
L 4