Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-08-28
WILL BEGIN ON TUESDAY
TWO NEW RURAL ROUTES WILL
OPEN FOR BUSINESS.
West Dummerston and Ames Hill the
Beneficiaries = Some Points About
the Service and Hints as to Mutual
ObIigations-Other Notes.

|
Service over the two new rural free
delivery routes, Nos. and 5, over
Ames Hill and West Dummerston Sec
1st. The July 2Sth order of the de-
partment regarding them said:
The establishment Of the service
must not be delayed for any reason
or the routes as laid down changed.
without the direct authority of the
department Carriers are abso-
lutely forbidden to deviate from their
routes as described In the official Or
de~s.
The same order said: "The sug-
gestion has been made that the star
River VT, can properly be discontin-
ued after the establishment of this
service. On Aug. 3 the Postmaster
General discontinued the postofiice at
Hale, Vt, to take effect Aug. 31st.
To avoid error and insure prompt
delivery, mail for patrons on all routes
should bear the route number. That
is, patrons living in West Dummer-
ston or along the line of No. 5. who de-
sire their mail delivered by the rural
carrier. should notify their correspond
ents to address them care of Rural
Route No. 5, Brattleboro, VT" and
notify the publishers of any papers
or magazines they may be receiving
to so change address. Likewise those
living in Marlboro or Hale (West
Guilford or "Hinesburg') or along the
line of No. 4. should have their mail
addressed to Rural Route No. 4, West
Brattleboro, VT" as that carrier starts
from West Brattleboro station.
The postage on drop" or local let
ters on rural delivery routes is estab-
he ita-
PRODUCTION of rural delivery does not
modify the present rate of postage
on newspapers or other second class
matter.
Rural carriers are not required to
deliver mail to houses standing back
from the main road, except in cases of
registered mail or special delivery let
ters.
The patrons are expected to meet
the department half way. by afford
ing the carriers every facility for the
performance of their duties, by keep
ing the roads open after heavy snow
falls, and by using their influence with
the proper authorities to maintain
them in good repair at all seasons of
the year and under all sorts of
weather conditions.
Regarding mail boxes the post
master generals report says that so
far from there being any general dis
position on the part Of the beneficiar-
les of rural free delivery service to
object to the requirement that they
shall use boxes which have been ap-
proved by the department, and placed
under the protection Of the United
States statutes there is a disposition
in many sections of the country to Sc
lect the most expensive kind Of box.
Numerous instances can be cited
where public spirited citizens have
not only to equip route
with approved boxes but also to uni
form the carriers and provide them
with wagons especially adapted to the
service. 1t may be interesting to
note that in Great Britain. where ru-
raj free delivery has been carried on
to its utmost point Of development,
patrons served by locked boxes placed
by the roadside are required not only
to provide boxes at their own expense
but to pay $1.25 per year to rural car
riers for locking and unlocking them"
The order of the postmaster-g general
specifications for the rural
boxes became effective Oct. 1st. 1902. !
were at that time issued
TO the effect that neither postmasters |
nor carriers should condemn or de- |
cline to serve any box which had been |
,r was then being served on rural |
-outes. The department proposed |
hat unsuitable boxes should be con- |
lemned only through regular inspec-
ion by a route inspector or special |
igent. In this way a uniform method
If inspection was to be established,
md such We're begun last December. |
o enforce the provisions of the post
MASTER generals order.
Rural carriers must not act as |
lgents statesmen. or solicitors for ex-
,ress companies, wholesale houses,
or firms. but the law pro-
-ides that they shall not be prohibited
rom doing an express package busi-
Tess, provided it does not interfere
With the discharge of their official du
les. They may act as agents for
publishers. sell newspapers
II periodicals on their own account or
ccept and collect subscriptions for
he same.
The popularity of the rural free de-
ivery service is due largely to the fact
hat it carries with it the facilities of
II other branches. They are em-
covered to register letters and deliver
he same. giving and taking the prop
r receipt on forms provided. They
re also authorized to accept money
or money orders. giving re-
eipts therefor. and if the
atrons desire to make him
heir agent for this purpose. he may
nclose the orders. when issued in ad-
ressed envelopes confided to his care,
nd mail them without returning to
ne sender. They are also required
, take with them on their trips. for
sufficient supply of stamps, stamped
nvelopes, and postal cards and news
apers.