The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-09-15
: xA!A1s Z! IS. isooD ROADS.
The Postoffiss Department Aims 10 the
" Cause Materially Is Better Roads
HeIp the service.

Recent great improvement In public
roads throughout the country, followed by
agitation OF the subject until 1t has
become one of the live topics Of the day
has resulted In the receipt Of many lnqui-
ries by the postoffice department at Wash
ington concerning the matter. ,
Under direction: OF. Postmaster General
Hitchcock replies In detail are made to
these communications without reservation
While the postofice department he's not
anything official to do with the matter OF
good roads or road building, 1t has, In the
nature of things, to cooperate with the
department OF agriculture, division good
roads, where governmental aid Is necess-
ary, and In that view the bureau OF fourth
assistant postmaster general has been
able to help the general cause through the
avenues of rural delivery. -
The postoffice department for number
Of years has been using every. endeayor
within the limits Of Its jurisdiction to Se-
ways. It is a primary essential to The
prompt and uninterrupted deliverery and
collection Of mail that roads over which
rural delivery service is established shall
be maintained in condition to be travelled
with ease and facility at all seasons. This
does not necessarily mean that the, roads
shall be Of the highest improved type, but
1t does mean that they shall be kept
smooth, free from ruts, and drained. =
:: whenever report is made to the depart
ment that roads on which 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 g reasonable time TO
improve the condition I the roads, service
wifi be withdrawn from such roads. These
usually result in prompt AID favorable
action, but, when. ignored, the service ID
E: In fdrtherance Of its policy to secure
good roads, the department has been CO..
operatino with road officials, Federal,
State and local, and with good road ASSOC
iations. The result Of the departments
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 1t is an established fact that
there has been more money appropriated
for, and spent on, good roads during the
thirteen wears which rural delivery has
been In operation than In any other period
Of the: country's history. y = ,f,, ,
Many letters have recently been received
at the pOstoffice department. from dill
ferent States Of the Union, extending In
Ttations to officials to attend and address
good roads conventions and to express the
attitude Of the department upon the snb-
ieot. Circumstances and conditions have
compelled deciinations OF these invitations
but replies have been made, fully explain
ing why,good, roads are essential TO the
successful operation Of the, rural delivery
service, and stating that the department.
directly through postmasters and cal rierf
gands ready and willing to cooperate u
ali aood roads movements as lar, as con
ditions win permit. y