The Washington times., 1913-12-14
RURAL MAIL MEN
REAL SUFFERERS
With Little Wagons They Will
Bear Brunt of Great Extra
Christmas Mail.
FLORENCE E. YODER.


While every one is wondering how the
huge city mails are going to be handled
at Christmas, following the new parcel
post regulations, the fact that the rural
carriers are up against gigantic propo-
sition does not seem to have been prop
eriy recognized. Just as surely as mail
Is delivered In the cities. is it sent out
into the country towns and villages, and
the packages which were wont to be
sent by representations of them-will
fall into the hands Of the rural carriers
all over the country for delivery.
The carrier far out in the Dakotas
who has no help and just one horse and
buggy in which to haul packages, al
lowed by law to weigh as high as eley-
en- pounds. and which may be seventy
two inches in length and girth, is facing
a serious problem, but that is only one
small example. There are hundreds of
rural carriers confronted with similar
difficulties. and it Is without doubt
that the postoffice rural delivery sys-
tenn will receive the most severe test Of
efficiency with the disposal of mail
matter at the first parcel post Christ
mas.
In view of this it would be only
reasonable to expect that additional
authorities, but such has not been the
case. The rural carriers are held in
such high esteem by the Government
that they have not only been considered
capable of handling everything without
additional help, but they have been
asked to assist the local postal author
tiles nearest their routes whenever 1t
was possible for them to do so. Yet
there is not the slightest doubt of the
immense amount of mail that they will
be forced to handle.
Solve the Problem.
Parcel post regulations solve the prob
lem of the Christmas gift to the folks
back home, for. instead of a small re-
minder, substantial presents can be
sent at small cost.
Shipments formerly handled by the
express companies alone will fall into
the hands OF the rural carriers this
Christmes. Mailed packages used to be
far and, few in the country. the coming
Of one was an event, and even the
express companies were not represented
everywhere
Perhaps a package would not reach
the owner until long after the specified
complicated AFFAIR. Under the present
regulations it costs just fifty-eight cents
to send an eleven-pound package LOCO
miles, ard 1t used to cost S1.O9 to send
the same package the same distance by
express.
There is not always an express sta
ton near a home. Where there is not
likely to be any profit the companies
ere not willing to plant stations merely
for the convenience of the individual.
but the Government postal system
works alcng different lines. The rural
routes discriminate against no one. post
offices are for all human beings and
are made for their explicit convenience.
With the present parcel post regula-
tions, twenty millions of people, on one
million miles of rural route. will be
given wnat they have never before had.
the benefit of an express station. but
without the exorbitant rates.
Not Mere Conjecture.
This surely looks as Is the amount OF
work falling on the shoulders Of the
rural carriers was not a mere matter Of
idle conjecture, and that their willing
ness and personal interest in the matter
in the disposal of their duties stamps
them indelibly as displaying the very
highest type of excellence demanded OF
any Of Uncle Sans public servants"
Every carrier Is thoroughly informed
On the parcel post regulations, but II
would save an infinite amount of time
and insure the matter of delivery to the
proper persons II the general pubic
could master a few of the more general
rules. Not only does the rural carrier
deliver all mail on his route, but 1t is
his duty to- receive packages for mail
ing and to see that they are properly
stamped. and that they ful-
fill all the regulations.
II packages never reach their ultimate |
destination In some out of the way rural
di. trict be assured that 1t is not the |
fault of the carrier. but failacy on the |
pert Of the sender. Since perishab 9 |
matter demands more or less immediate |
attention, and since unclaimed packages |
or those not properly addressed cannot |
remain for any length of time with the |
carrier or at the office. the name and |
address of the sender. legibly printed |
Bnd preceded by the word From Is a |
In addition to the namSl
and address of the sender such remarks |
as Merry Christmas" or some such |
similar greeting may be added. provided
L does not interfere with the address.
Will Be Held.
When the postage is insufficiently |
paid, the matter will be held for post
age by the postmaster in charge. No
parcel can be wrapped so as to preclude
IN examination by the postmaster Or
carrier, as all Of the contents are sub
ject to examination at the discretion Of
The authorities.
II a parcel weighs more than eleven
DOunQS, OF e1C6eIS seNeHly-l"O lIlCHes
IN length and gIrth combined. 1t can be
rejected, no matter how small the ex-
ress may be in either case.
Uo not try to send raw hides or pelts.
Or any article having a bad odor. or a
pistol or a revolver, or live OF dead ami
mails There are special regulations
made for birds end poultry, manifestly
10 include the national bird. He must
De WRAPPED SO as to prevent damage to
,ther mail matter, and he must not
weigh more than eleven pounds after he
e oil done up in his case.
All prices are regulated by zones rep
certain distances. and certain
regulations for wrapping cover each