The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-04
RURAL MAIL CARRIERS
 DISCUSS GOOD ROADS

various responsible positions There are many college graduates who spend from -four to eight years in preparation and then enter the classified civil service at from s720 to $S4O per annum.
 Get Good Pay.
 "The government has reason in pay ing you as high as s900 per year. If the rural service were let to the lowest bid der it would be taken by some white con- tractor at $500 per year or less and the lowest priced responsible white man or ne- gro hired, who could read and write These extra hundreds paid you are cheer fully given because you passed a critical examination, gave references of good character, filed bond and certified your ability to conduct a travelling postoffice. You are the best protected of any class, While on official duty if you are forcibly detained, robbed of a dollar or have violence offered you a swift punishment and a federal prison stares the luckless offender In the face, and he would receive a sentence the same were he to assault the President of the United States. Uncle Sam pays extra for intelligent service and also gives you special protective leg islation. In return you are asked to show a respectable appearance, a polite demeanor. a readiness to oblige a l<nowl- edge of government rules and business forms when you are clothed with the au- thorlty of the United States government I see no immediate prospect of a raise in salaries. If a parcels post is established the labor of delivery may bring an in crease. Since this is the case it be- hooves every carrier to do something out side of his official duties.
 Every man has from one to five hours daily that he can use in loafing or In productive labor. I shall give the results obtained by various carriers in different states. One man wrote fire and life in surance, thus adding a. months salary to his account. Others have done odd jobs or acted as janitors in churches and buildings. have known blacksmiths painters and paperhangers who entered the service because their vacations in- jured their health; to continue their trades during vacation or nights and mornings. thus earning an income. Any man handy with tools can earn money if he seeks the opportunity.
 Should Be Student.
 'I am however, most anxious that all carriers should be like myself a student of soils and farming. There was once q carrier who prided himself on being such Sherlock Holmes that he could de- tect the food his patrons ate by the odors. he kept account of the family washings and bosated of his powers of recollection, but all of that amounted to nothing. Had he started to observe the agriculture; :; had he studied the reasons for success or failure of the crops: had he learned the secrets of the best vegetable gardens on his route and applied all his wisdom he might have doubled his salary. The long daily rides over the same road more than BOO days annually may be irksome unless the carrier gets in the habit of study and observance of farming truths. A carrier may let his life become automatic and dreary, or he may study to make himself known as seeker for the common good. a promoter of all that helps society and leader of thoughtful industry. I have known carriers to keep cows and deliver milk on their way to their duties. Some of these have sold hundreds of dollars worth annually in addition to what was used by their families If you cannot keep cow. you may live where a gar- den can be maintained 12 months In the year. One carrier near Alexander City has sold several hundred dollars worth of berries and vegetables >and his official duties do not suffer. Another popular carrier from Dadevllle has purcha sed 2 farm and intends to run a rotation of corn with cowpeas be'ween tha rows. next year cotton to get the benefit of the peas: then fall oats are to be sown and cowpeas sown and harvested. thus four crops are secured in three years and he will raise his own corn oats and cow pea hay and save several hundred dollars feed bill annually.
 Duty of the Public.
 "I often feel sure that people are prone to think only of the carriers duty to them and forget that they also have q duty to perform. If the carrier makes no errors BOT days in the year and forgets the next day he may be scolded or re- ported to the local postmaster A ready Ointi coupled with gifts of extra fruit or vege- tables will go a long way toward making the thanksgiving or the holiday season brighter for the man who braves all kinds of roads and weather to deliver the mail tj all so anxiously receive.
 "Gentlemen of the rural service, I wish to congratulate you on your connection with the great Uncle Sam and this i'm portant branch of the government Yours is an honorable occupation Your position is not one of inheritance like many an unworthy ruler: you were not chosen by political pull or preference. nor by the votes of the people judge may secure his appointment in that manner. or a governor may be elected, but you are here because yot passed competitive exam ination higher than any one else. and came here by your merit. As long as your conduct and service are meritorious. so long will your employment continue. From my kHOWleuRe or cOnultlOnS m many states vou represent a picked body of men. chosen because of your character fitness and ability. and these qualities are sought for. paid for. and given extra protection by our federal laws
 AIabamas New Era.
 Alabama Is or. the beginning of a new era in agricultural advancement and ed- ucation. the soil survey and other gov departments are doing all they can for the farmer but it is you who bring the results to his mailbox
 Tn times past the farmer was cartooned as a hayseed and purchased gold bricks from those who imposed on his ignorance. Today he is better informed, and each day sees him digestng the daily news from his county. state or a foreign country. The daily press of our country recognize the need of catering to the farmers wants and agricultural topics are discussed by all our great dailies. while you bring the results to his door, There is enough edu- cation In the city, and each year sees more and more fin the rural ditricts. and I congratulate you on being instrumental in helping to bring about an agricu tural millennium and being potent factor for good in our great commonwealth"