Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-09-17

y ton.
Then, too, in many localities tn
: bad roads farmer cannot reach th
z market place, or station at all in tn
winter season. This bears harder be
cause it is at this season when TO
various products the best prices ar,
obtained. Nor is the saving by GOO
roads alone to the producer. The con
sumer is benefited as well as the pro
Queer.
The Tax Payer a Gamer.
The tax payer in the long run is a
gainer by good roads. The improve
ment Of road IS Immediately follow
ed by an increased taxable value Of
all real property, contiguous to the
road, and this produces a larger basis
for assessment, and revenue to the
county and state
Good Roads Pay for Themselves.
In many states where money is
raised for road improvement by eoun.
" bonds, IL has been shown that at
maturity of the bonds, there was
surplus of revenue sufficient 10 paw
them in full, and produced by reason
Of the increased valuation OF property
through good road improvement.
Free Rural Mail Delivery.
One Of the great eonvenienees
which has come among the farmers,
is that Of the rural free mail delivery.
Heretofore only the fortunate city
resident had his mail received at his
front door. Now the farmer is pro-
vided with the same benefit. He can
send bis orders to the town or village.
or cross roads store, and the carrier
at small cost will return him his
groceries, his medicine or a repaired
implement from the shop. Even
money orders can be so obtained.
Heretofore days journey was often
necessary and just at a time when
the farmer could not be spared for |
small errand.
But this benefit does not come 10
the bad roads farmer. The govern.
mont regulations provide ''That the
roads be in good condition, with no
unhridged streams not fordable, at
all seasons Of the year"
No service has been more gener.
oosly appreciated by the people. The |
demand for its extension is universal
from all parts Of the country, and
this leads TO demand for better
roads' Those originally opposed to
rural free delivery raised the cry OF
the uneonstitutionality Of the law
and confidently predicted that Il would
bankrupt the government, just as is
now asserted against national Iegisla.
tion for good roads. heard that cry
IN the house of representatives when
The law passed making an experimen.
ial test for rural free delivery. And II
what is now the result after only II
seven years servicel No aid from
he government is more gratefully re.
eived. 50 useful has il been TO all
he people, and 80 successful and
'iheient and economical that every.
sheFe the people are demanding il.
Thousands and thousands of cross
Dads postoiiiees are being diseontin.
'ed, as no longer necessary, and this
aving Of expense is credit to the
rec delivery service. so greatly has
he mail business increased, that il is
ow prophesied the service will ere
ong become self-mpporting TO the
overnment from the increased postal
evenues derived. Seven years ago
10000 was deemed sufficient appre.
ration 90 start the new service, and
orty routes We're established in
he rural districts, while now there
'ill soon be 10000 free delivery
ontes and the last appropriation
'ade by congress this year amounted
ts0,OO0,OO0, and three millions of
eople are directly accommodated. So
reat is the demand for more service
lai there are now 1900 petitions
ending In the department from as
AMY rural districts praying for free
elivcry routes.
nrplus Revenue Mostly From Farm
ers,
As u is true OF this bene6eent ser.
ice TO she rural home, SO it il true as
roads-tha the revenues OF the
'vernment which may be expended
their establishment and mainte.
'nee' are derived most largely from
10 agricultural classes, and they are
lose who most need the blessings OF
bod roads and free delivery service.
'herever good road is constructed.
she midst OF one hundred families.
10 government virtually promises
le people free mail delivery.