Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-08
GOOD ROADS WANTED.
Government Says It's Necessary for
 Rural Free Delivery.

Washington, D. C., May s.-A slo- gan has gone forth from the postoffice department that is having q wonder ful effect throughout the country. It is, in concrete form: Good roads or no rural free mail delivery"
 The time has arrived when the gov ernment practically can dictate it's own terms concerning the rural de- livery of mail. When rural free de- livery was established about decade ago, there was scramble among congressman to induce the postotiice department to give their districts the benefits of the seWice. The depart ment officials knew very little of the difficulties-and In some instances the actual dangers-to be encountered by rural carriers. Many routes were established through the influence of members of congress in various parts of the country that eventually had to be abandoned, because tb< roads, dur ing at least part of the year, were absolutely impossible.
 Through experience, the department officials learned good deal about the work of the rural mail service, it was found, is good roads. In fact, eXper- fence has demonstrated conclusively that unless the roads are in excellent condition 1t is waste of time and mon ey to try to maintain a prompt mail service over them.
 Finally, the subject was taken up by the postoffice department with the officials of the agricultural depart ment in which a good roads depart ment is maintained. The two depart ments, working in conjunction, have accomplished wonders in the improve ment of country highways. They have been assisted materially, too, by many automobile clubs in cities, particular ly cities of the east. 1t is matter of concern, of course. to every owner or driver of an automobile that the roads in the territory in which he lives should be kept in fine condition. The influence of both urban and rural residents, therefore, has been cast in favor of the maintenance of good roads, because 1t Is to the Interest of both that the highways should be kept in the best possible condition.
 Now, the postoffice department has indicuted to county official and road supervisors throughout the country that it is absolutely necessary for them to keep their roads in good conditions. If they do not, the rural mail service will he discontinued. The depart meft has done all 1t can to encourage the maintenance of good roads, but If the people, themselves, will not lend a hand they will have to 70 withont rural delivery of mall. The pressure on the department for the establish ment of new rural mail routes Is so great that the government now Is in position to dictate terms on which they shall be established.
 Tn 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 postofilce de partnent. The local officials show a disposition to improve their roads and in some instances where the county officials have been derelict of their
 
 duty In this regard. the farmers in the vicinity voluntarily have devoted time and money to the improvement of the roads In order to insure the continu- ance of the delivery of their mall.
 The result of the good roads agita- ton Is manifest everywhere in the country. By officials who have In- vestigated the subject 1t is asserted that greater improvement has been wrought in country roads during the past ten years than in the fifty years immediately preceding. IL is the pur- pose of the postofice department to keep a close supervision of tho roads on which mall routes are maintaiue. :. To this end. a department inspector will 20 over every route at stated periods and 1t will be on his recom- mendatI0n very largely that the routes either win be continued or abandoned.