The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-08-19
GOOD ROADS
LIVE SUBJECT
AGITATION H AS BROUGHT
ABOUT GREAT IMPROVE
MENT.
Officials Have for Years Done Every
thing Possible to Make Public
Highways Better.

Washington, Aug 16.-The recent
great Improvement in public roads
throughout the country, followed by
agitation OF the subject until 1T has
become one oil the live topics of the
day has resulted in thq receipt OF
many inquiries by the postoffice de
partment concerning the matter.
Under directions OF Postmaster
General Hitchcock replies in detail
are made to these communications
without reservation.
While the postoffice department,
has not anything official TO do with
the matter OF good roads or road
building, il has, in the nature OF
things to cooperate with the depart
ment of agriculture, division OF good
roads, where governmental aid is
necessary, and in that view the bu-
7eau OF the fourth assistant post
master general has been able to ma
terially help the general cause
through the avenues OF rural deliv-
cry. -
The poStoffice department has for
number of years been using ever,
endeavor within the limits OF its jur
isdictibn to secure the improvement
OF the public highways. 1t is pri-
aa-a,4,a1 Tho ,rnp,Dt aud
interrupted delivery and collection
mail that roads over which rural de
livery service is established shall be
maintained i'll condition to be travel
ed with ease and facility at all sea
sons This does not necessarily mean
that the roads shall be OF the high
est improved type, but it does NEAR
that they shall be kept smooth, free
from ruts and drained.
Whenever report as made to the
department 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 reasonable time to
improve such roads These notices
usually result in prompt and favor
able action, but, when ignored, the
service is Withdrawn.
In furtherance OF its policy to, Sc
cure good roads the department has
been cooperating with road officials,
federal, state and local, and with
good roads associations. The result
of the departments unceasing de
mandS for good roads and ITS coop
Grafton with road officials and others
concerned in the movement has been
most gratifying to those in charge OF
the service involved and it is an es-
tablisfed fact that there has been
more money appropriated for, and
spent en-, good roads during the -
years in which rural delivery has
been in operation than in any other
period of the country's history.
Many letters have recently been
received at the postoflice department
from different states OF the union, ex-
tending invitations to officials to at
tend and address good roads conven-
tons and to express the attitude OF
the departmet upon the subject Cir
cumstances and conditions have COM
PEELED destinations of these invita-
tons, but replies have been made,
fully explaining why good roads are
essential to the successful operation
OF the rural delivery service, and stat
ing that the department, directly and
| through postmasters and carriers,
stands ready and willing to cooper
ate in all good roads movements as
far as conditions will permit.