The log cabin Democrat., 1907-08-15
GOOD ROADS ARE NECESSARY
R. F. D. Service Requires Better
 Highways.
Unless Patrons Assist in Maintaining Pass able Roads, Department will Dis
 continue Rural Routes.

The rural free delivery carriers and their patrons ill Faulkner county are very much interested in a recent manifesto of the post office department to the effect that good passable roads must be main tained or the service will be aban- doned Since the substantial ln- crease i'll their salaries effective Ju- ly I, the position of rural carrier has become a fairly good one, and they are of course anxious that this service shall be maintained. The patrons also have become ac- costomed to their daily mail deliv- cred at their door and are far from wishing 1t discontinued
 There are now sixteen rural free delivery routes in Faulkner county, including new one that goes into service out of Beryl post office effective tomorrow. This means that from SIP ,ooo to SI5,- 900 is annually paid into this county for their salaries. The other advantages of the service are too we'll known to need repetition here
 The time has arrived when the government practically can dictate its own terms concerning the rural delivery of mail. When rural free delivery was established about a decade ago there was scramble among congressman to induce the postoffice department to give their districts the benefit of the service. The department officials knew very little of the dif6culties-and in some instances the actual dangers ito be encounted by rural car riers. Many routes were estab. lished through the influence ot members of congress in various parts of the country that eventual ly had to be abandoned, because the roads, during at least a part of the year, were absolutely lmpas- sable.
 Through experience the depart ment officials learned a good deal about the work of the rural carrier service. One of the first requisites of efficient rural mail service, it was found, is good roads. In fact, experience had demonstrated con- clusively that unless the roads are in excellent condition 1t is waste of time and money to try to main tain a prompt mail service over them.
 Finally the subject was taken up by the postofice department with the officials of the agricultural de- partment, in which good roads department is maintained. The two departments working Ill con junction, have accomplished won ders in the improvement ot coun- try highways. They have been assisted materially, too, by many automobile clubs, in cities, particu larly cities of the east. It Is a matter of concern, of course, to every owner and driver of an auto mobile that the roads i'll the terri tory in which he lives should be kept in fine condition. The in fuence of both urban and rural residents, therefore, has been cast in favor of the maintenance of good roads, because it is to the in terest of both that the highways should be kept in the best possible condition.
 Now, the postofice department has indicated to county officials and road supervisors throughout the country that it is absolutely necessary for them to keep their roads in good condition. If they do not, the rural mail service will be discontinued. The department has done all 1t can to encourage the maintenance of good roads, but if the people themselves will not lGuu uduu luSy VIII hoNN lO go without rural delivery of mail. The pressure on the department for the ablishment of new rural mail routes is so great that the government now IS in position to dictate terms on which they shall be established.
 In every part of the country, more particularly in the south and east, every effort is being made by the county and municipal officials to meet the requirements of the postofice department. The local officials show a disposition to inn prove their roads, and In some ln- stances where the county officials have been derelict of their duty in this regard the farmers in the vi cinity voluntarily have devoted time and money to the improve