The Democratic advocate., 1909-09-24
RURAL FREE DELIVERY.
A Westminster Citizen should Hare
Credit for It's inauguration.

A novel suggestion was made To
Postmaster General Hitchcock at
Washington the other day for a way
IN which properly to celebrate the
anniversary OF the establishment Of
the rural free delivery. A Missouri
farmer wrote Mr.. Hitchcock that he
had seen In the newspapers that the
department was at a loss to know
what would be d fitting way to OBJ
serve the establishment OF the ru-
raj service His plan would he 10
have every patron Of the service give
a cent TO the rural carriers, the
money so collected 70 constitute A
fund for some worthy charity like
the establishment of home for chill
d@en. As there are 10000 900 rural
free delivery patrons, the adoption
Of the Missourian's plan would Yield
fund of $500 900.
Commenting on the above. the
Ocean Grove CS.J) Times says:
A better way 20 celebrate the
event, one more appropriate as we
view II, would be to reInstafe n Of
nee the man who wAa responsible for
the creation OF the rural free deIiy.
cry system, ard aleo 10 reimburse him
for the idea or plan Of rural free de-
livery. The plan was evolved hy an
humble citizen OF Maryland town,
where Il was given a trial for the
FIRST time. The editor remembers the
time very well. and how even the gov
ernment officials were dubious Of the
outcome. The success was tnstantan-
eons, and the inventor was patted on
the back and given y position AZ d.
rector 0f routes. Some years ago he
was removed from once. for political
reasons. Il has been claimed. II a
fund Of S200. 900 II 10 be raised BY
grateful beneficiarieB OF rural free
delivery II seems 10 us the Maryland
man should ahare in rs distribution
Credit 20 whom credit is due firnt and
let sentiment take second place"
The gentleman referred TO is Ed
win w. Shriver, now police Justice
In this city. The Advocate of March
rs. 1888, gives an account Of tho firpt
attempt at free rural delivery and
tells Of the first man wagon construct
cd for that service. which was design
ed by Mr. Shriver and built BY Herr
Brothers. of this city. The wagon
started Monday, April Q. 1899. leaving
Westminster az a. M. and going over
the following route To WaFfieidas
burg, 10 Bale. 20 Dsnnings, 20 Tay-
l0rsvllle via crAwford's store, % Win
field TO fsiat via Kiee Mil, TO Bird
HIll to SmallwoCd. 20 Fcnby, back 10
Westminster, distance bf 30 miieR
Air. Shriysr was made mail clerk and
Horace q. Reese assistant On the
firat trip Mr.. Shriver was accompan-
led BY A. NJ. Machen. superintendent
Of free delivery. Other officials from
The pustofEiee Department. and report
ers of the Baltimore papera followed
the mail wagon ~ ether vehicles Ae.
counts Of the affair pupliehed In the
various papers throughout the coun-
Try and IN a report BY the poatotsice
officials at Washington give credit TO
Mr. Shriyer for tile inauguration of
free delivery.
Later the Advocate of the same year
tells u the progress Of rural free de-
livery from this small beginning. To
celebrate the inauguration Of the sya.
TEN in this county. banquet was
given az the Hotel Westminster az
which the Postmaster General and
number Of others prominent IN pos
tai affairs were entertained By our
leading citizens. in recognition ~ his
services. Mf. shriyer waa made In.
spector OF routes