The Washington herald., 1909-08-29
RURAL MAIL ROUTES
They Are Few but Useful in
State of Florida.
SERVICE HAS GROWN SLOWLY
Out OF 3O3 Petitions One-third Have
Been Established - Some Sections
Have Not Sufficient Population TO
Warrant Expense of maintenance.
Effect on the MnfIn.

OF the Southern States. Florida has.
with one exception. a fewer number OF
rural routes IN operation than any other.
The records OF the Post-ofice Department
show that this IS due 10 the fact that a
great many rural sections IN the State
have not sufficient population 10 war
rant the establishment OF the service
on 500 petitions which have been fled
at the department for as many rural
routes in the various sections = the
State, Isl have been estabhsl~H AZ q
total annual cost 70 the government -
about Si493l5. Florida IS one OF those
States that did not avail OF the advan-
tages OF rural delivery until a number OF
years after the first experimental rural
delivery service was put into operation.
The first rural route in Florida was
established out OF Sanibel in April, 1900,
and from that date until 1904 there were
but three routes established throughout
the entire State. Service in Florida now
covers some 400 miles OF roads. and ac-
commodities population OF about 25,0o0.
Growth Has Been Rapid.
A comparison OF the statistics compiled
IN 1905, showing the amount Of business
transacted in rural routes IN Florida.
with similar statistics compiled for the
months OF March, April, and May OF tho
current year. shows an astounding
growth, and that the people are appre-
ciating the service and using IT more and
more. In the sale Of stamps and stamped
envelopes there has been an increase OF
49 per cent over 1895, and in the value OF
stamps on mail matter collected an In
crease Of about 4S per cent.
In 1S05 the average number OF applica-
tiOns for money orders received annually
by rural carriers was IA. and during the
fiscal year 190S-09 the average was go.
or an Increase OF nearly 100 per cent In
1906 the average number Of pieces OF mail
matter delivered and collected by each
carrier q month was 25l5: for the fiscal
year 1s0S-09 the average was 3619. or an
Increase OF about 43 per cent, and the
increase in the amount OF registered
matter handled for the same period is
SO per cent.
Newspaper Is Benehtted.
In response 10 an inquiry sent 10 one OF
the leading newspapers Of Florida the
department Is advised that during the
past five years the total circulation OF
the paper has increased a little more
than 100 per cent, and the publishers esti-
mate that fully 90 per cent OF the increase
in circulation is due 70 the rural delivery
service IN the State. and that there
would be very much larger rural circu-
latiOn II II were not that there IS no mail
service IN a number OF towns in the
State
Department officials are greatly pleased
at the increased use Of the mail facili-
ties afforded by the rural carriers in
Florida. as shown by the reports, and
believe that the value OF rural delivery
70 the orange growers and truck gard
eners OF Florida is inestimabIe. Cor,
through the medium OF carriers. patrons
OF the service are able not only 10 take
advantage OF the best market quotations
for the sale OF their products. but re-
ceive daily weather reports advising them
OF an impending freeze sufficiently far
enough IN advance Of its coming 10 per-
NIT crops 10 be protected.