The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-03-03
BIG APPROPRIATION
FOR RURAL ROUTES
CONGRESSMAN eRoNNA OF NJ. D.
MAKES STRONG PLEA FOR
INCREASING SERVICE.

Washington, March 3.--Representa-
tive Gronna Of North Dakota today
forced from Chairman Weeks of the
house committee on postoffices and
post roads a declaration that there
was a prospect of a committee bill
carrying a heavy appropriation for
the extension OF rural mail routes and
increased pay for rural carriers.
Mr.. Gronna secured tine floor to ad-
vocate an appropriation OF $4,000. 900
for new rural routes and a readjust-
ment and increase of rural carrier
salaries. Mr.. Gronna is q member of
the republican democratic commit
tee that is urging on the house com
mittee on postoffiees and post roads
the establishment of a standard route
Of twenty-four miles and a minimum
salary Of $1,000.
The pending bill carries an appro-
priation for new rural routes Of about
100000. Mr.. Gronna insisted this was
inadequate to meet the demands of
the people. He warned the house that
rural delivery was the most popular
service of the postoffice department
and that more than any other single
agency, It. was recouciling farmers to.
farm life The need OF farmers. he
said, was the greatest economic ques-
ton Of the day.
Keeps Farmers satisfied.
There is a phase OF this question to
which I wish to call attention" said
Mr.. Gronns We have been remind
ed time and again by thoughtful men
81 A.
cities; that boys brought up on the
farm leave the farm and go to the
city, in larger numbers some years
than in others, but in large numbers
every year, and that few people leave
the city for the farm. The result of
this constant drain is that an ever
increasing proportion of our popula-
ton lives In the cities and an ever
decreasing proportion is engaged in
agricultural pursuits. IT Is hardly
necessary for me to call your 'atten-
ton to the ensuing danger If this pro
cess goes too far. An ever decreasing
rural population will not always be-
able to produce enough to sustain an
ever increasing urban population. Our
lands are not now producing as much
per acre as they might with other
methods Of cultivation. and this is
largely due to a scarcity Of farm la
Dor. II farm life Is to be made at
traCtive to the American boy, if the
tide which is strongly setting toward
the city is to be turned the other way
it must be done by increasing the ad-
vantages Of farm lifa not by denying
the farmers advantages to which they
are entitled.
Remedy for High Prices.
Are we doing our duty as repre-
sentatives of the people If we curtail
the postal service, one of the most
important services that the govern
ment is performing? Do YOU realize
that in pursuing a policy which pre-
vents the establishment OF 1000 rural
routes where conditions warrant their
establishment we are denying to
100000 of our people a service to
which they are entitled, for which
they are paying and which they have
had reason to believe would be pro-
vided for them? Are we fulfilling our
oaths of offices In acquiescing in this
policy?
"It seems to me that IL must he
clear to any one who will give the
matter consideration that it is false
economy, as we'll as vain Of party
pledges, to fail to provide adequately
for the maintenance of this service.
At this time we are much exercised
about the high prices Of food prod
uCts, and yet fail to see that a daily
mail service in the rural districts will
bring relief. In my opinion the only
way to remedy this condition is to
bring the consumer in close contact
with the producer, thereby benefiting
both. The appointment of committees
will, i'm my judgment, be as useless
and will bring to those most interested
the Same degree Of relief and salts
faction as a political stump speech
would to a hungry man."