Iditarod pioneer., 1913-03-15
BETTER MAIL SERVICE NECESSARY

Although it is too late secure improvement in the conduct of mail service this winter residents o the darod district should to it that vigorous protest is registered against repetition of the present farce next season. Starting in with promise of fair but admittedly insufficient servce the people of this part of Alaska bore the neglect of their interests with much patience believing that the weeks passed the service would improve In this they disappointed Not only did the service show no improvement, but it grew week. until it reached its climax with the miserable fiasco the Copper River railroad The blockade the railroad had the added dis advantage of giving officials ready for any further shortcomings that may develop.
 In Iditarod the utter unreliabiity and insucency o the has been demonstrated time and again. and in such that not always be charged to the rail- road The fault lies elsewhere and it is the duty of those charge of the mail service in Interior Alaska to fix the responsibility where it belongs and take steps to remedy the deficiencies existing Like all other sections of the Interior the Iditarod is entitled to fixed maximum amount of mail each week; but that limit rarely has been reached On the other hand it is known that considerable mail matter intended for dtarod has not reached its des naton although mailed several weeks ago. Even under the of the strictly limited contracts let dtarod does not get the weight to which it is entitled What has be- of the balance? Where has it been sdetracked and by whose orders
 If officials back at Washington find that the maximum amount provided for in their contracts with the musers reached they naturally will conclude that the needs of the camp have been overesnated and will curai the maximum when calling for tenders. But should they take such step they will be acting in ignorance. We have tain knowledge that much mail forwarded to Idarod early this winter has through, and this should the when practically consignment that arrives here is under weight There is why Iditarod mail of class should be held back long the weight limit has not been reached and official should have the right arbitrarily to reject matter intended for Idtaod sim ply because it is not of a particular class.
 The blockade the railroad certainly made it mpos- sbe for while to get mail through but seeing that every pound of overdue mail ncudng several sacks of encyco pedas has arrived at Fairbanks. how it that such small quantities arriving here? Are in Idarod being dscriminaed against wilfuy! We do not think so but know that not receiving fair treatment at the hands of departmental officials and must, perorce in than in anger ascrbe to gross ignorance and stupidity
 We would urge business men and other residents of this district to make point of seeing Inspector Favn u his arrival here and pointing out the disadvantages under which labor. It should be insisted that next seasons service be a considerable improvement the wretched apology to which have been subjected this winter If entitled to certain number of pounds of mail weekly let that get that quantity. Then we shall know where we stand