The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1904-12-17
Correspondence Baltimore COUNTY Union.
POINTS ON RURAL FREE DELIVERY,

GLEN-ARM, Md, December 14th, 1904.
MessTs. Editors Some notes in the last issue
of THE UNION, together with certain comments
regarding the changes in mail service from the
old system to the rural free delivery leads me
to address you these notes in explanation of and
in measure a defense of the present improve
ment in our postal facilities.
1t was said in the last issue of THE UNION that
subscriber at Carney does not receive his paper
until Monday. Now the writer fails to see why,
for Carney enjoys three mails daily by trolley
cars from Baltimore and in addition the Depart
ment has continued the old star route from Loeb
Raven to Carney to accommodate about twenty
families, who would otherwise be left without
free delivery. Certainly any mail posted in
Towson by noon Saturday would reach Carney
the same day.
Again it is said that not one farmer in ten is in
favor of rural free delivery. Asto this there are
several considerations:
1st Many persons fail altogether to under
stand what the system is and what it does Tor
the people. The writer is daily correcting false
statements that are current in regard to the ser
vice.
I'd. Observation and experience teach us that
one is very rarely found to oppose rural free
delivery unless he either lives very short dis
lance from an Office or is on the line of a star
route where the Department has already ex-
tended free delivery.
Sd. further find that those who for various
reasons oppose the system do great deal of
talking and make themselves heard, as opposers
usually do, where there are many who receive
and quietly appreciate the service.
Now as to an exact illustration of the work.
ings of rural free delivery route take No. l
from Glen-Arm, established December1st Prior
to that date arstar route left Long Green Station
at about A. NJ, going to Long Green P. o.,
thence to Knoebel and Blenheim, distance OF
four miles, giving free delivery to few fami-
lies. This route cost the Department $500 per
year. all the receipts OF the offices being retained
by the postmasters.
Since December LIST the star route has been
discontinued and a rural route established. 1t
leaves Glen-Arm at A. NJ, covers 2O6 miles,
serves nearly two hundred families nearly half
of which without the route would not have
free delivery of mail. The carrier arrives at
Glen-Arm on his return by O'Clock P. M. A
large number of the people have the opportuni-
ty to send reply the same day by the way it is
laid out, reaching Long Green P. o. at 10 A. NJ.
and p. NJ
The writer does not believe that therefs
point in Baltimore county today where THE
UNION cannot be had at P. NJ. on Saturday if it
is properly addressed.
A rural carrier always carries line of stamps,
stamped envelopes, etc., and is prepared to reg
lister letters or receipt for money orders, and if
patrons will supply themselves with an approx
ed lock box it is not necessary for them to wait
for the carrier but leave their letters and money
in the box with instructions.
Without doubt it works to disadvantage Of
some, but certainly to the advantage of many.
No system is perfect, nor can there be in this
world. Very respectfully,
THOMAS G. PEARcE.