The daily Republican., 1902-12-27
FREE DELIVERY
BIG SUCCESS.
New Castle Hundred Routes
Benefit Postoflce and
Business Houses.
GOOD ROADS ARE NEEDED

| New Castle, Dec. 27.--Postmastel
John G. King is elated over the sue
cess of the free rural delivery in this
section From every section OF
this part of thescourty come reports
that the farmers along the routes
are pleased beyond expression as
they get their mail in good ii me.
In addition to the mail matter hand
led, the farmers and others along the
routes are enabled to secure money
orders and to register letters.
People in the section of New Cas-
tie County south Of the Red Lion
bridge want the rural delivery eX-
tended there.
Business men in New Castle as.
sert that the rural delivery is a big
benefit to them, The farmers send
by the carriers for goods they want
and next morning the faithful car
rier comes along with the message.
This saves the farmer trouble, time
and expense.
Postmaster King in speaking of
the routes says the remarkable
growth of tho service during the
present year is shown by the fact
that 1856 new routes have. been es.
tablished. greater number than
had been previously established in
the five years, since the service was
established.
1t has been found that the rural
service has increased the postal re-
ceipts o large figure and the reg
istry money order system has also
been largely increased.
Within the next few years it is
estimated that the service can be
extended throughout every county
IN the country, aud the total cost
when il has reached this state Of
perfection will be $24, 900, 600.
The estimate for the next fiscal
year is $12,G55 800, an increase Of
$4,000, 900 over the last appropri.
alton. Strong argument is advance d
by the Post Ot1ice Department in
favor OF this increase, and i. Is as-
sured OF the support OF members Of
Congress from the rural districts.
VALUE OF GOOD ROADS.
"But we must give good service
along the routes, remarked Post
master King last evening, If we are
going to be compelled to drive over
swamps that are called country
roads it will he a case of mud and
political dickering eating up the
taxes Of the farmers. The need OF
good roads is becoming greater and
greater.
The Jersey farmer knows the
value Of dollar and is opposed to
taxes, but he could reckon the diff.
ference between what he lost daily
by reason OF bad roads and the tax
he would have to pay for building
smooth rock road. That having
been worked out, one good read was
built, and those near 1T got to market
regularly and easily, ram or shine.
saving enough each Trip to pay The
road tax. Seeing is believing
and farmers in other parts became
convinced of their economy, and the
example was followed. slowly at first,
but gradually gong on more rapidly.
IN Massachusetts the actual
cost depends on locality and condi-
tons. hardly two cases being alike.
One fourth Of the cost OF a state
road is borne by the county in
which it is situated, The balance
being contributed by the State.
"The thickness IF stone on state
roads varies from four to sixteen
inches. the lesser being placed over
good gravel or. sand, the greater
over heavy clay. The broken stone
used OH state roads passes through
half inch. inch and half aud two
and a half iuch screens. The larg.
est size is placed on the bottom, the
second size is placed on top of this
and the crown IS made with half an
inch material. All are rolled sepa-
rateIy and thoroughly.
The cost of trap rock for road
building varies from 81. per ton
to $l.60 per ton. The State owns
seventeen steam rollers, which are
employed in state roalbuilding.
The standard width of stone road
ways in Massachusetts built by the
commission is fifteen feet There
are some only ten and twelve feet
wide, but they are not deemed eco
nomical to maintain.
AS Delaware is receiving large
sums from the corporation mill there
is no reason why there should not
be state road built here