Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-12-14
A STUPID POSTAL LAW.

Writing on "a General Transport Ser
vice on the Rural Post-Route" in Golfers
Mr.. James l.. Cowles says:
On every weekday over $4,000 post
wagons traverse the rural post-routes Of
the United States, carrying to the homes
of the Ia American citizen kings on the
average route upward OF 100000 in all.
and representing population of some
~. 0O0, OOO) the letters, magazines. and
newspapers which, among other things.
keep them informed as to the plans and
movements of their public servants al the
centres of public business, and which
also advertise them that most important
intelligence to the modern man--namely.
intelligence as to where best to satisfy
his wants and dispose of his wares
Strangely enough. however. while his
public servants have provided the rural
American citizen king with public
vehicle for the transportation OF intelli-
Gence. they have excluded him from its
use either for his own transportation or
for that of his supplies or of his produce
The unconscionable tax-16 cents a pound
on merchandise limited to four-pound
parcels-is practically prohibi,ive.
! On the first establishment OF the
vice. many OF the owners OF the rural
post wagons. believing themselves en-
| titled. under the law. to the rights of the
old post coach. added to the transport of
the mails the regular post-coach traffic.
taking at their own risk and at their own
rates passengers. baggage, large parcels
of merchandise. anything that was Offer
ed, up to tho limits of their vehicles.
The business grew rapidly and with profit
both to the carrier and to the district
which he served.
Suddenly. however, in 1901. this general
transport business OF the rural post
coach was abolished. A provision in the
lpostal appropriation bill Of 1904 cut down
the rural-wagon service to that of the
city foot post. Since then n carrier who
has dared to transport a passenger or IA
Iparccl over four pounds in weight on his
vehicle has done so at his peril.
Mr. Cowles then shows what ignorant
and arrogant legislation we are obliged
to submit to at the hands of our con-
gressmen and seators. He says:
This reduction in the business of the
rural post wagon outside its regular ma il
service necessitatcd. of course. an in
lcrease in the carriers salaries. and to-
day salaries varying from si32 for an
eieht-miic route to $40 for a "a mile route
horse and wagon. transporting ON the
leverage route quantities of mail matter
weighing in the aggregate-matter col
Ilectcd and delivered per day--less than 70
pounds and in dimensions less than "A
bushel. while the income received from
the less than two pounds Of mail matter
originating on the average daily route Ia
not over Al cents per day-this against an
!, Leverage cost Of over $500 per day.
The fault. however, Is not in the salary
of the rural carrier His salary would be
low enough. in all conscience. II he were
Obliged to make his four to eight-hou,
: daily trip with a wagon altogether empty
The evil of the situation lies in the fact
that public servants at Washington deny
to the rural public a reasonable use ol
U the public vehicle that passes their doors
1.-THE American public are very much II
! the condition OF "A farmer to whom his
I employe denies the use of his own hors'
and wagon. Think Of your employe in
forming you that not only should 70,
y |ridc IN your own wagon, you should no
: transport anything in it except few let
tiers, magazines. newspapers, books, ant
U four pound parcels of merchandise! An'
b. yet this is just what the servants of thu
y American peOple-United States senator.
u and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS doing to-day
Their restriction OF the rural post-wagoi
@ service deprives the people OF it's reason
" able use. cuts down its earnings. retard
y the development Of tho country. ant
u cause a deficiency in the postal revenues
- which. for the year ending June 30. 100
. exceeded $4,000 900.