The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-29
WANTS GOOD ROADS
POSt-Office Department Aids
Cause Materially.
RURAL FREE DELIVERY
Postal Authorities Cooperate with
Agricultural Dependencies some
times WIthdrnws Country Service
When People Disregard Notice to
Improve the Highways.

Recent great Improvement in public
roads throughout the country, followed
by agitation Of the subject until Il has
become one Of the live topics Of the day
has resulted IN the receipt OF many in
qulres by the Post-ofice Department con-
corning the matter.
Under direction OF Postmaster General
Hitchcock replies in detail are made 10
these communications without reserva-
ton
While the Post-ofice Department has
not anything Official to do with the mat
ter CT good roads or road building. II has,
in the nature OF things. 10 cooperate with
the Department Of Agriculture, Division
Of Good Roads. where governmental aid
is necessary. and in that view the Blu
reau OF the Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General has been able TO help the general
cause through the avenues OF rural de-
livery.
Post-office Aids the Cause.
The Post-ofhce Department for num-
Der Of years has been using every en-
deavor within the limits Of it's jurisdic-
ton to secure the Improvement Of the
public highways. It is a primary es-
sential to the prompt and uninterrupted
delivery and collection OF mall that roads
over which rural delivery service is es-
tablished shall be maintained in condition
10 be travelled with ease and facility at
all seasons. This does not necessarily
mean that the roads shall be Of the high
est improved type, but Il does mean that
they shall be kept smooth, free from ruts,
and drained.
Whenever report is made TO the de-
partment that roads on which a rural
route is established are in bad condition,
impeding the progress Of the carrier or
causing the service to be delayed or
suspended. the road officials. postmaster,
and patrons are Immediately notified that.
unless steps are taken within a reason
able time 10 improve the condition OF the
roads. service will be withdrawn from
such roads. These notices usually re-
suit IN prompt and favorable action,
but. when ignored. the service is with
drawn.
Policy Brings Results.
In furtherance OF its policy to secure
good roads, the department has been CO.
operating with road officials. Federal.
State, and local, and with good roads as
soclations. The result of the depart
ments unceasing demands for good roads
and it's cooperation with road officials
and others concerned in the movement
has been most gratifying TO those IN
charge OF the service involved and II
is an established fact that there has been
more money appropriated for, and spent
on. good roads during the thirteen years
which rural delivery has been in opera
ton than In any other period Of the coun-
trys history.
Many letters have recently been re-
ceived at the Post-ofice Department from
different States of the Union. extending
invitations 10 officials to attend and ad-
dress good roads conventions and to ex-
press the attitude Of the department upon
the subject. circumstances and condi-
tons have compelled declarations OF these
invitations. but replies have been made,
fully explaining why good roads are es-
sential 10 the successful operation Of the
rural delivery service. and stating that
the department. directly through postmas-
tiers and carriers, stands ready and will
! ing 10 cooperate In all good roads move
ments as far as conditions will permit.