Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1906-04-12
STANDING FOR
RURAL DELIVERY
Special Correspondence.

washington, April 12.-Congressman
French is preparing to make the
fight of his life to prevent the
discrimination Of the poorer ru-
raj free delivery routes in the re-
mote districts of Idaho. The post
office department Is preparing to cut
of routes that are not self supporting
matter comes before congress, which
will be within a week or two, Mr..
French intends to do everything in
his power to save to the people of the
rural sections this great convenience.
Admittedly. many Of the routes in the
western states are not self supporting.
and cannot hope to be for many years
to come. Nor were they intended to
be self-supporting when the rural free
delivery act was passed by congress-.
The fact OF their remoteness from
populous centers and the smallness of
their postal business il a good reason
why they deserve to be fostered and
encouraged in every possible way by
the postal authorities. The rural free
delivery service is almost the only
method Of public communication be-
tween many rural sections and the
great world without. Many Of them
are a days Journey from a railroad
station and have no access to trolley or
telephone lines, now so common in the
east. Many of the farmers living
along these routes do not find time
in the busy season to go the nearest
postOffice once in a week or once in a
month, and their isolation could not
well be more complete. Rural free de-
livery service has become a great fac
tor Of sociability as well as a positive
convenience of communication. 1t
keeps the people in touch with the out
side world. 1t is one of the refining in
fiuences of civilization.
Mr.. French says that in Idaho since
the establishment Of the rural free de-
livery service many of the remote
places have shown marked improve
ment in many ways as a result OF the
improved postal service. 1t has doubt
less to a certain extent checked the
tendency of the young men to leave
the farms and rush to the cities, and
the population has increased as the
result of new families moving in and
new farms being opened. Land val
ues have advanced and a renewed air
ed. The government pays out a great
amount of money to keep up a mail
service with South American countries
and while this is for International con-
veniences, 1t ought to be the govern
ment's first duty to supply conven-
fences for Its own people. So If any
thing has to go, let it be the foreign
mail service. Friends Of rural free de-
livery should rally to its aid and BY
arousing public sentiment show ! ths
postoffice department that the people
OF the country are opposed to cutting
down this service.
The railroad rate bill in the senate
has served to develop the most inter-
esting debates that have taken place
in congress in many years. These dis
CuCcloAo WILL Iu0SuA 0uy 0t1ClA8SASll tAAS
estimate in which the senate II held
and doubtless tend to counterfeit the
recent severe criticisms that have beer
made upon it by this fresh proof Of
its great capacity to meet and dea
with great public questions. 1t hal
already exercised q good influence BY
moderating the demand for radical
legislation. The difficulties Of the
question are now better appreciated
and the necessity of q court review
which the president himself now ia
vors, is better understood. A debate
that adds to the reputation Of the par.
Elephants and that determines the fina
form that legislation shall take is &
most profitable discussion. This IL es.
pecially true when important bills arr
rushed through the house with practi'
cally no discussion. whatever.