Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-10-14
POSToFFIcE DEPARTMENTS AC-
TON TOWARD RURAL ROUTES
ARoUSEs IRE.
SOME SURPRISES DUE
PATRONS NEXT SATURDAY
Democratic Postmasters Alleged to
Have Kept From Public Changes
Ordered by Department-New Or
ders to Go Into Effect at Weeks
Close-Party to Lose Farmer Vote.
special to Times Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Clinton. Oct. 14.-The bursting of a
bomb OF their own making in demo-
cratic circles next week is predicted
by Congressman Harry Z. Hull. of
Davenport, "llo declares that when the
full extent Of the changes in rural mail
routes over the country become gem
orally known after Saturday the post
office department and democratic lead
ers VIII be flooded with protests.
Mr.. Hull had just returned from one
of the numerous mass meetings of pro-
test held thru the Second district since
the announcement several days ago, of
proposed changes in rural routes.
Farmers thruout eastern Iowa are in
ceused az the changes and have started
various actions TO annul the changes
if possible. In many places, according
TO Mr. Hull postmasters of democratic
appointment have withheld announce
ment of the proposed changes and
time Saturday, the day set for the
changes TO go into effect.
indication of Antagonist.
ne dCi4pl pl ii group ti 4di Iiiei >
from along the F.lwood and Wel,on
routes in this county yesterday is a
sample of what may he expected he
says, from other counties in this and
other middle western states This
group wired the postal authorities in
Washington to be allowed TO continue
the present route. declaring that they
will pay the carrier All they ask IS
that the government allow the carrier
to make up his mail in the postoffice
building a Elwood as formerly.
The proposed changes have elimi-
mated many routes. Others have been
heightened as consequence. Rout-
ings have been changed and in many
places the patrons now get their mail
from another office neCessitating a
change of address. In Clinton county
farmers along a former route from De-
Witt viii get their mail from Welton.
The latter town is on a branch line
with one train a day service. That
leaves Clinton too early TO get the
morning eastern mail. AS a result
farmers get their Chicago and Clinton
papers just exactly twenty-five hours
late As many of them depend greatly
on the market quotations in their buy
ing and selling and in their shipping of
produce they declare il will subject
them to personal loss. Many are es-
tablfshed cattle and horse breeders and
their address is known to customers
in many states. The change of address
Will be serious Inconvenience and loss
TO them.
Changes Without Inspection.
The changes We're ordered with no
inspection OF the proposed new routes.
As result some of the new routes are
laid out over roads that are impossible.
Twenty six farmers along one route
wha were changed TO another involving
greater delay in the delivery of their
mail have agreed to discontinue the use
iof the rural service and to drive to
! town for their mail.
/ This boycott of the rural delivery is
iquite general. Farmers in Muscatine
county have agreed to do the same and
/ the same holds true in Johnson county
! Congressman Hull has protested by
wire to Fourth Assistant Postmaster
/ General Blakeslee, asking that the
| changes be delayed until an investi-
| gator can go over the territory. His
wires have been unavailing. A group
Of farmers offered to pay his expenses
10 Washington to lay their protests be-
fore the authorities in person. They
were dissuaded and instead will ioir
! farmers in other counties in securing
signatures TO a monster petition to be
present TO the postoffice department
asking that investigators be sent t.
determine changes to be made.
Another movement TO secure relic
has been started here. A committee
has been appointed to wait on loca
democratic leaders in an attempt to in