The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-09-16
RURAL MAIL SER
VICE IMPAIRED
lSpecial Correspondence

Especial Correspondence
Washington, Sept. 15-When the
Post Office Department announced,
some time ago, that by changing rural
delivery routes and making extensions
many thousands Of additional patrons
were being served without any in
crease in expense, there was pretty
general feeling that when patrons
had been heard from, there would be
showing of impaired rather than
improved service. Such seems to be
the case.
Soon after the adjustments were
made, postmasters found it necessary
to placate patrons by explaining that
they were not responsible for the
changes. At least one postmaster did
this in public statement, in which he
placed the whole responsibility upon
the Department here in Washington.
Now comes John A. McSparran.
Master Of the State Grange OF Penn
sylvania, with a signed article assert
ing that the Post Office Department
has made mistake. Speaking Of the
changes and extensions, he says:
"If it is a real economy founded up
on ability to render as good or better
service, then the action can only be
commended; but there are several
statements that believe show con-
clusively that mistake is being made
that will not tend either to economy
or efficiency. The frightening OF the
routes it not the place to correct the
waste, for the length Of the route
must continue for many years to be
dependent upon the distance horse
can travel under average conditions
in the time allowed between the trains
that carry the mail to and from the
terminus of the route.
81 am taking it for granted" says
"that the routes are being
handled all through the services as
they are in this part of the country.
Some Of our routes have been length
ened under the proposed changes to
over 30 miles. Now | think that ex-
perience has shown that a horse can
not go 30 miles every other day
through average conditions and keep
up a gait that will insure service in
4 reasonable time. In fact, it Is
if very many horses can be
'ound that will stand the pounding Of
20 miles every other day, at any gait,
Judging from the number that go to
pieces under the strain Of 20 miles
o 25."
McSparran knows more about hors-
IS than does the Postmaster General,
Who has just finished IA years in Con-
.ress after holding legal Offices in
'exas for IL years And he also
nows few things about the prac-
ical side Of consolidating rural routes
n order to use automobiles in the
ummer He says:
"The attempt to substitute an auto
lobile service for that Of horse il
II right for letter carrier who wish
] to make such a change, but for the
department TO do so seems to indi-
ate that either they do not value the
cement Of every day service in the
'untry, or they have in mind sys-
m Of roads that has not yet been
jilt. II is true that the auto can
.nder an enlarged service acceptibly
r the summer months; but people do
It want to have their addresses
anged fall and spring nor do they
ant to be deprived of service for
ose periods In the winter during
lich il would be impossible for the
to to make the trip. This is not
e place TO look for economy in the
stal service"
Mr. McSparran also points out that
E farmer writes his letters at night,
d, II rural routes are heightened 10
n an extent that the carrier gets
TX TO town late in the evening, the
tiers miss the train and must lie
n in he post office until the follow
, day.
4 few more than 900 students
nprise st. Adams public school en-
lment this year.