The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-15
GROWTH OF RURAL
DELIVERY.
Thomas Speaks on this
System lnaugurated by
a Democrat.
Ispecial to News and observer. }

| Washington, ID. c.. March 14.-Rerre-
sentative Thomas made a speech in the
House today, while the postoffice Appro-
Ipriation Bill was under consideration,
during which he traced the rapid growth
of the rural free delivery system from
the small beginning of less than hun
drCd routes and ten thousand dollars APP
pro priation in 1896 to the more than n:ilC-
! teen thousand routes and over two mix
lion dollars appropriation OF today lie
thought every increase had been sLlly
Justified by the service rendered and the
popular demand for its extension. The
lpostoffice, he declared, is one agency Of
government that cannot be curtail2d even
If it does not pay its way. No other
branch is as popular, he added, ami 1t
should be extended until it goes to every
farm house in the land
Touching the origin of the system, SIR.
Thomas asserted that Democrat was en-
titled to the credit for it. The first regt>
lar routes were established by Post
master General william l.. Wilson lu-
ling Cleveland's second administration and
since that time it has been gradually cX-
lpnded though no Improvement has been
INSIDE on it since then. The appropriation
was ten thousand dollars year, and
with that sum eighty-four experimental
nc utes were established.
Certain Republican members who spoke
fore Mr.. Thomas had claimed that Mr..
Wanamaker was the real father of rural
free delivery. This, Mr.. Thomas showed
to be untrue, not only by the records of
the Postoffice Committee but also by re
ports OF ex-Assistant Postmaster General
Perry Heath Uep), and letter from
the present Postmaster General, Mr..
Payne.
What Mr. Wanamaker did do, though.
and for which Mr.. Thomas thought he de
served great credit was to extend it 20
small towns and the outlying districts
Iaround large cities. This has been quite
as great blessing to the people in the
districts affected has the rural Tree
delivery to the farmers in the country.
|, When the item in the Postofiice Bill
is reached that gives the Southern Rail
way subsidy of $142 900 for carrying the
nail. there will be opposition to its adop-
ton led By Mr.. Moon, of Tennessee. 1t
dceg not appear now, however, that the
effort to strike it out will be successful.
The friends of the subsidy say 1t is the
same fight that has been made on it for
several years and that the vote will show
few accessions, if any, to the PROPOSE
ton.
The fact that the appropriation of SIX
ty thousand dollars for enlargement OF
the Ashevilc public building passed the
Senate last week need not be taken as any
indication that ii will get through he
Hous9 at this session. On the contrary,
that is exactly what it will not do. But
1 t., 10 at
4 puts it in good shape for going into Il
( general public building bill that will be
prepared and passed by both houses at
the next session.
One of the wholesome results that may
grow out Of the postal scandal is reform
in the practice of approprating lump
sums t, be expended by that and other
departments.
These appropriations are, as rule.
based on the most indefinite sort of esti-
mates and hence their expenditure LETT
largely to the discretion of the depart
ment. Against this wasteful practice
there has always been more or less pro
test, but the ease and convenience of ii
all around has prevented change. Since
the appearance of the report relating tC
the activity of Congressman in postal mat
ters, however, the protests agains it
especially as relates to that department
have grown loud and vigorous.
This sentiment has been embodied in q
bill which has been introduced in the
House by Representative Hearst. tDem.)
of New York. 1t provides that "the
heads of ali departments, in communicat
ing estimates of expenditures and appro
prations . Congress, or to any of. the
committees thereof. shall specify with
full and minute detail each item of esti
mated expenditure exceeding the sum oil
one hundred dollars. All such estimates
shall be printed in full in the annual
Book Of Estimates. at least one copy Of
. which shall be furnished by the Secretary
of the Treasury to every member OF Con
gress annually at the opening the regu
/, lar session"
| While such law might involve consid
cradle additional clerical work on the
T. part of the departments in making III
their estimates, it is believed by its adj
vocates that it would result in cuttinG
down of some of the appropriations, ant
, would at least enable Congressman t.
vote on the various appropriation bills
! more intelligently.
i FRED L. MERRITT.
=