Evening star., 1914-08-12
RURAL CARRIERS HEAR
TALKS ON GOOD ROADS
Representatives Finley, Hamlin and
ShacklefMd Address
Convention.

After the report Of the credentials
committee, the seating of 238 dele
gates and the appointment of its gen
eral committees, the National Rural
Letter Carriers Association spent this
morning chiefly in listening to ad-
dresses by Representatives Finley OF
South Carolina, Hamlin of Missouri and
Shackleford of Missouri before the dis
cussion Of good roads,, which was
opened by the reading Of paper by
P. j. Powers, delegate-at-large from
Ohio.
Representative Finley's address was
confined largely to his efforts in Con-
gress to secure an additional 500 per
annum compensation for carriers on
standard routes and the action OF the
House August in directing the Post
master General to pay the increase,
with a proportionate increase on
smaller routes, effective from July l.
His remarks throughout We're warm
ly applauded. Mr. Finley said the two
greatest factors in the postal service
in recent years had been the rural
service and the parcel post service.
alongside of which the movement for
good roads was likely to take its place.
He traced the growth of the rural
service up TO the present time when,
he said there are 1900 routes in ex-
istence each of which probably served
a territory of fifty square miles
Speaking of the rapid growth of the
parcel post service and the immense
volume Of business carried by it. he
said it was destined to knock out the
express companies.
Salary Allusion Excites Laughter.
Mr. Hamlin spoke along the same
lines, but with a well told story which
excited much laughter, advised the
carriers that it was perhaps not wise
to attempt to secure any further in
crease of pay at this time.
Mr. Shacklefords address was devoted
largely to what is known as the Shack
leford road bill, which has passed the
House and is now pending in the Sen
ate by which IL is sought to appropriate
s25. .000, 900 of government funds in con-
structing and maintaining rural post
roads. He said the rural service had
enhanced the value of country land
threefold, which if estimated at the
rate of s. an acre would make the
enormous total of S6.SS0,000.000.
The convention adjourned shortly aft
er noon TO reaSsemble at z O'Clock, when
addresses will be made by Postmaster
General Burieson and Senator Swanson
Of Virginia, and reports from each of the
delegates -al-large Will be received.
Presentation of Flag.
| 4 feature of the afternoon session was
the presentation of a flag to the associa-
ton by A. NJ. Powell. delegate at large.
on behalf of the Tennessee delegation.
Other business of the session included
the reports OF the officers. and discus
sion on the quick and Safe Handling OF
Parcel Post" led By w. II. James. dele
| gate at large from Iowa.
| Charmen of the committees appointed
| this morning included a. NJ. Powell,
| Texas, committee on mileage; w. X.
| Powell, committee on finance; J. B. New
| conner. ways and means; r. II. Mckay,
resolutions. and J. b. Rosenthal, Lou
! isiana. on membership.
| The convention will reassemble at $50
| o o'clock tomorrow morning for addresses
! by departmental officers. and the discus
! sion of Necessary Features of Mail
| Boxes for Parcel Post and Rural Mails.
| led by John W. HAYNES, delegate at
| large from California.