The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-23
Appointment Of Routes TO BE by states
First and then by Congress
sionaI Districts.
POINTER FOR INDIANIANs
EXTENSION OF SERVICE TO BE
BASED ON NUMBER OF PETITIONS.
Four Additional Carriers for Indian
apolis ON the Recommendation
of Senator Fairbanks.
,,,l - The InsiansnoIis Iourrsl.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, July Fit is learned to-
day that a Slight modification has been
made in the new policy recently announced
with reference TO the establishment of rural
free delivery. II was semi-officially an
nounced last week that rural routes would
be established wherever they were needed
without regard to State line or congress
sionai districts. 1t now develops that in
the extension of the service during the COM
ing fiscal year routes are to be apportioned
first among the States and then 10 the con-
gressional districts. There will be an
equitable distribution OF service based on
the number of applications received from
each State, consequently the more petitions
received from each State the more service
will be established. Under the policy as
originally announced the intention was to
establish rural routes without consideration
to State limits or congressional districts
J. A. Matthews, of indianapolis, private
secretary to Senator Fairbanks. called at
the Postoffice Department to-day, where ne
had a conference with Fourth Assistant
Bristow and other officials relative TO the
department policy toward rural free deliv-
cry generally. but with special reference TO
Indiana. Mr.. Matthews stated tonight that
Indiana will not suffer under the new adj
ministration OF the rural service. Indiana
stands third in the list of States as regards
the number of petitions. and accordingly
will share with two other States large
proportion of the service established during
the current fiscal year. The enforce
ment of the rule requiring 100 or more fam
lilies on each route is certain TO create a
good deal Of dissatisfaction. Forty per
cent of the petitions received since April
l have been held up for the reason that they
are below the minimum 1t appears also
that many orders issued by former chief
Machen providing for county systems will
be held up by General Bristow. How many
county systems this will effect in Indiana
cannot be learned. The department has
about 100000 available for the extension
of the rural service and Z is stated by the
officials that If the county systems ordered
by Machen were instituted the service gen.
| orally would suffer. A good deal o. inter-
| est is manifested here 81 the instr ctions
of the department relative to the "details
engaged in examining routes and ilsdtut-
ing them. There is a disposition 10 place
all division headquarters in charge OF in
spectors and in some cases inspectors are
ALREADY In charge OF the Worh III SOihe "
tons of the country.
Rural free delivery has been ordered e.
tablished in Indiana to take effect Sept. =.
! as follows:
Knox. Starke County-Area covered, sew
| enty square miles; population served, 1.4S6.
New Albany, Floyd County-Area covered,
| sixty-five square miles; population served.
| 1,940.
|
]. A. Matthews, private secretary to Sen
ator Fairbanks. will remain in the East
about three weeks visiting points in the
north and south
On the recommendation of Senator Fair
| banks four additional carriers have been
allowed for service in the Indianapolis post
Office. The order will become effective at
1 once. JOHN E. MONK