Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1915-05-07
MANY PARCELS ARE
SENT FROM MORRIS
About Twenty Tons is Record
for Year - Carriers May
Weigh Babies for Parents

The Morris postofice made a fine
showing in the 15-day count of par
cells post packages closed last month.
The total number of parcels handled
for the year was not definitely ascer-
tanned but an estimate based on the
figures for the fifteen days show that
Morris people send away annually
about twenty tons of merchandise to
friends all over the globe. During
the fifteen days from April 1 to ID
528 packages were sent from Morris.
The weight was I, go pounds. The
first fifteen days of April are consid-
cred very light business for the fall
and winter months come in with much
heavier traffic.
During the count Morris people
received 1,155 parcels. The total
number of deliveries reached 1900.
These figures do not include the par
cells received or deliN cred on the rural
routes. A separate count is taken by
the carriers lasting thirty days. This
count was Finished last Friday night
and the carriers are tabulating the re
turns for report to the department
at Washington. The carriers had
strenuous time and are glad the ses-
sion is over.
But just as they are exulting over
the ending of bad job the govern
ment comes along with increased bur-
dens for them. The Morris carriers
are to be equipped with scales, guides,
maps and supply of insurance and
C. o. D. tags. The scales are for
the purpose of weighing the parcels
he receives. The patrons on Major
c. R. A. Scobey's route feel a pecu-
liar interest in the latest development
for they can see the accommodating
Mr.. Scobey fishing out his scales and
weighing the new baby for them.
Unless he is extra pressed for time
he may be induced to stop and weigh
out the -four or the butter for the ex-
acting housewife. Scobey likes the
babies and wouldn't mind doing turn
occasionally for a good looking cook
of which there are so many on his
route.
Few people realize the multitude of
duties which the rural carrier per-
forms in the course of day 9 travels.
According to the last postal rules and
regulations the carrier must be pre-
pared to deliver to addresses, collect
all classes of mail matter from boxes,
and make collections, sell stamps. re-
ceive and receipt for all matter pre-
sented for registration, deliver reg
istered mail, make applications for
money orders and receipt therefore,
accept parcels, issue insurance, col
lect on C. o. D. deliveries and attend
to the transfer of mail for parties
whose addresses have been changed.
He also erects United States collec-
tion boxes and performs such other
duties as may be required of him by
law and the regulations of the postal
department.
The rural mail carrier is often the
connecting link between city and coun-
try when the weather and roads are
bad. He IS always welcome for it is
often he who brings the first news Of
the happenings in the outside worlo
and tells what the neighbors are doing.
He bears tidings of the loved ones
far away and often brings black
bordered envelope which he delivers
in silence. He tells of the babies anC
oftentimes is first to speak of {
death. His appearance is one of the
important daily events and once in {
while he is rewarded with a sack oil
oats or corn for his horses. At frs
his pay was small! but the stipend has
been increased slowly until today il
is almost what it should be. The rura
mail carrier can stand more ducatI
from the government and a whole To-
of private donations from his route
patrons.