Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-09-14
WERE DISCUSSED
At the Annual Meeting ofthe State
Rural Carriers.
285 CARRIERS IN THE STATE
Inspector A 3. Smith, Makes Explain
alton of the System to Carriers
Next Meeting at Parkersburg.

alton of the System to Carriers
Next Meeting at Parkersburg.
Ravenswood, w. va, Sept THE
second meeting of the West Virginia
Rural Letter Carriers Association was
held here.
The association convened at II a.
m. and the usual COMMITTEES were APP
pointed. A c e was then appointed
until i p. m. Upon reassembling,
Postmaster /. NJ. adams on behalf Of
the mayor, delivered the address of
welcome to which Prof. W. l.. Nc
Gown responded. After an address by
President Peden II. E. Williams, state
highway inspector of Charleston; Post
Office Inspector A. B. Smith Of Wash
ington and Sherman Darst, assistant
state tax commissioner OF this city
held the floor for some time.
President Peden and Secretary n.
L. Davis were reelected and Par&ers-
burg was selected as the place for
holding the next meeting on the 23rd
of February, 1908.
All of the addresses were especial
ly appropriate and were heartily en-
joyed by all present. Postmaster Ad-
ans talked of Rural Free Delivery
as he has seer it. His advice to car
riers was of such character as to a
ny conviction to all bearers.
Mr.. Williams explained the act Of
the Legislature in creating the Office
of state highway commissioner, also
his duties, which appear to be gener-
ally misunderstood. He is commits
stoned to report to the next session
of the legislature as to the condition
of the roads throughout the state.
the available material for construc-
ton and repair, the best methods of
applying the same and such other
facts as may be pertinent. He fully
convinced the carriers that he is their
friend and that relief is in sight,
should the legislature heed his rec
concentrations.
Inspector Smith read a letter from
the fourth assistant postmaster gen
eral explaining the relations of the
carriers to the department, and EN-
bracing certain statistics as follows:
There are now in the service ST.
S07 carriers, there being 2S5 in the
state of West Virginia. During the
current fiscal year the rural delivery
service will cost upwards of s35, 1000
600 of which approximately $247,-
394 will be paid to carriers in the
state of West Virginia"
Mr.. Smith then discussed certain
phases of the service, referring to the
condition of the roads in the state,
and giving warning, unless there is
an improvement in the roads in GER
tain sections it will be necessary to
discontinue service, as in places the
roads are really dangerous. He ex-
planned that the department will not
resort to discontinuance until it is
apparent the authorities are unnec-
essarily NEGLIGENT.
He referred to the almost constant
rain and snow of the past two years,
but suggested that if the available
funds had been properly applied in
filling the mud holes with broken
stone, stamped solid in the mud, there
would be little cause for complaint.
He especially condemned the use of
road scrapers at an expense of at
least $15 a day, %scraping mud and
stones in the road and leaving them
there, and at the same time digging
reservoirs on the roadsides into which
water constantly flows and remains,
keeping the roads soft and ilcreas-
ing the mud holes Indefinitely.
He commended the carriers for
their fidelity and courage in deliver
ing the mail to farmers in all kinds
of weather, often to people who do
not appreciate the service. He coun-
seled patience and strict adherence
to departmental rules and regula-
tons and assured them the depart
ment fully appreciates their services.
He called attention to the fact that
congress always appropriates the fun
amount asked for the extension OF
rural free delivery, while nearly all
other items are reduced below the es-
Inmates of the various departments.
He also called attention TO the inn
portance of having monthly vouch-
ers promptly forwarded to the post
-