Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1906-10-20
RULES FOR CARRIERS.
Some Things That the Drivers OF
Mail Wagons Should Not be
Asked to Do.

"Now that the rural free delivery
system has been extended in this
country-in fact, it will be but short
time when the merry rural free deliv-
cry will be trotting over the snow and
ice peaks of Alaska-the department
is in constant receipt of letters asking
as to just what carriers may carry on
their routes besides themselves and
their MAIL" said postofice depart
ment official.
"In the first place, they can't carry
any liquids that stimulates either on
the inside or the outside of their per-
sons; intoxication means instant dis
missal; they are dismissed when they
are detected drinking off their routes.
Nor are they permitted to carry spir-
ituous liquors for the accommodation OF
their patrons; personal friendship
doesn't 60 far witt the department in
these cases, and no exceptions are
made with the rule.
"Rural letter carriers must carry
the mail and nothing else, even tho
business houses seek oftimes to make
errand boys of them. Carriers must
not, either in person Or thru others,
directly Or indirectly, by any method
whatsoever, solicit money, gifts or
presents; nor issue for profit souvenirs
or postal handbooks nor cooperate
with Or assist the publishers Of the
same to secure the patronage of the
public. They are also barred from
compiling or assisting IN the compil-
ing of directories for public use.
Business firms with large mail lists
have caused us great deal of trouble
in attempting to engage the carrier
as their agents, so we have strictly
prohibited them from furnishing the
names and addresses of patrons on
their routes for pay or favor to any
business establishment, or to any in
dividual except department officials
who are entitled to them under the
regulations.
"The department has received let
tiers from patrons complaining because
the carriers have refused to carry the
milk cans. This is funny but it is
true and it shows what some people
in the country think the rural delivery
was established for. Carriers are not
permitted to carry passengers, nor to
permit any person other than author.
lied postal officials to ride with them
or to have access to the mails. They
must not engage in any business dur
ing their prescribed hours of service
which offers the temptations to solicit
patronage on their routes, or which
by reasons Of their position in the
government service gives them special
advantage over competitors.
"We rigidly bar them from acting
as book canvassers, insurance solicit
ors, sewing machine agents or acting
as agents of any kind in any occupa-
ton. We allow patrons to carry mer-
chandise for hire upon the request of
patrons residing upon their respec-
tive routes whenever it does not in
terfere with the proper discharge of
their official duties under such regula-
tons as the department may pre-
scribe Country storekeepers try to
use the carriers vehicles as delivery
wagons, but the government is not in
that sort of business. We allow the
carrier no compensation from the SELL
er of merchandise and where mer-
chandise is carried on or by the re-
quest of patrons the hire for the carry
ing must be paid by the patron.
"We get thousands of letters from
all over the country just on this one
point-What carriers may carry on
their routes. If the rural delivery
patrons would only remember that the
government is not in the express
business they would save themselves,
the carriers and the department.
great deal of trouble. Washington
Star.