The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-01-17
.DENlS0N HELPS
TO OPEN ROADS
Commercial Club Directors Authorize
the Work Of ShoveIing the Big
Drifts from Country Roads.
ROUTES 1, 3 AND ARE OPENED
Farmers Can Now Get to Town and
Mail Can Be Delivered Through
out Wide Territory.

Mali Ndn DC delivered nrou9n-
out Wide Territory.
Under the auspices of the Denison
Commercial club a determined cam
paign has been waged this week to
open some OF the country roads. The
postmaster directed the campaign and
efforts were made to open rural routes
one, three and seven, which appeared
to be in the worst condition. If these
attempts are satisfactory and meet
with the cooperation on the part OF
the farmers that it is hoped they will
have, the work will be extended to the
other routes leading out Of Denison,
and thus free communication will be
established throughout Denison's trade
territory.
The crews sent out consisted of a
team and three men and they made it
possible for the delivery OF mail to
some farmers who had not received
their letters and papers for ten days.
The farmers along the route were
notified and in many instances they
turned out and helped with shovels
and teams.
OF course, it is easy enough to say
that the farmers should break the
roads themselves, but when a farmer
is confronted with a mile or SO of
drifts it is very natural for him to
give up in despair, try to find some
way across the fields and get along
the best way possible. In the mean
time the farmers and their families
are not the only sufferers. The mer-
chants must keep their stores open.
the coal bill is immense, the clerk hire
the same as during busy seasons and
the business is almost at standstill.
Denison recognizes that the interests
in keeping the roads open are mutual.
The farmers need the goods and the
merchants need the business, but the
drifts are between them. The mer-
chants are also interested in the mails.
They advertise in the local papers and
they are naturally anxious that these
papers shall be circulated.
Some farmers have complained
about the mail service, but these same
kickers when confronted by cash
offer of ten dollars if they would drive
any one of the routes as mapped, re-
fused to make the effort.
There have been many instances
where the farmers have worked to-
gether with splendid effect in open
ing the roads. Route No. 5, north OF
Denison, has secured good service on
account of this cooperation. Six
farmers shoveled over mile of road
and they were amply repaid for their
work by good mail service and by be-
ing enabled to get about themselves
The mail carriers have had very
hard time The trains have been uni
formly late, thus giving them late
start. Their routes are over twenty
five miles each ana the drifts have
been so treacherous that nearly every
man has lost as much in broken har
ness and equipment as he has received
in wages. Under the new ruling car
riers are only paid for the miles they
make. Thus the January earnings oil
the carriers will be very low and they
are more anxious than any others tol
have conditions restored so that they
may make their routes and receive
their regular pay.
It seems to us that.it would be good
sense to use the same precautions
against drifts that are used by rail
road companies. The cuts where the
drifts are most probable are well
known Every year it is the same
story that such road is drifted full
at such a cut. Why should not snow
fences be erected at these places?
What good argument is there against
it? Why could not township care
Tor tneSe IeHceS anu ludiAldiH llleHi
as we'll as a railroad company?
The work done by the Commercial
club has been of practical value. 1t
has aroused much enthusiasm among
the farmers who have turned out to
help, it has established the means of
communication with number of out
living districts, it has made it possible
not only for the men, but the women,
who are the best shoppers, to get to
town, it has shown the interest taken
in the general welfare by the business
men of Denison. We do not believe
the club has ever expended small
.,,,n, m hotter advantage than in this Il