Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-11-23
IOWA coNeREssMEN TO MAKE
OPEN FIGHT AGAINST WRECK.
ING OF RURAL SERVICE.
SIX ALREADY LINED
UP FOR BIG BATTLE
Claim Routes Have Been Abandoned
Without Proper Investisation-En-
tire Iowa Delegation Expected to
Join Forces With Ramsmyer, Steele,
Townsr, Good, DowsII and Sweet.
Special to Times-Republican.

/ Des Moines, Nov. %. Apparently
! there is going to be big fight in con-
gress on the part of Iowa congressman
against thee Ranges in the rural route
system. Six Iowa congressman already
interviewed have declared themselves
primed for fight and it is said the en-
tire congressional delegation from Iowa
Will fight for return to the former
system. AT least they will fight against
conditions as they have existed since
the new order of the postal department
went into effect.
congressman Dowell Sweet, Good
Ramseyer, Towner and Steele are all
against the change.
The six named We're unqualified in
their denunciation of the change in
routes They We're just as unqualified
in their declara ton of doing what
they can in Washington TO have the
order repealed or modified. All say
they will ask for action on the floor
OF congress if there is any way to
get remedial legislation thru that
body.
The changes in rural routes were
begun Oct. Is and the last will become
interviewed declare they will try to
prevent further changes from being
made. Congressman Ramseyer, Steele
and Towner already are in Washing
ton. The remainder of the delegation
viii leave soon.
From Washington.
In Washington the change in routes
is dubbed the economy excursion into
Iowa" Congressman Ramseyer, Steele
and Towner already have entered per-
sonaI protest. Their statements. wired
from Washington follow:
Congressman Towner OF the Eighth
district: The plan for lengthening of
rural routes from twenty-five to
thirty-five miles on the dirt roads Of
Iowa is not only satisfactory. but an
absolute impossibility If the post
master general does not remedy the
conditions the Iowa delegation will
join in urging remedial legislation at
once"
Congressman Ramseyer OF the Sixth
district: The establishment of fifty
mile automobile routes in Iowa is i'm
practicable for the reason that our
dirt roads are never passable for more
than six month in the year"
Congressman Steele of the Eleventh
district: Il have received many pro-
tests from my rural constituents and
have placed them before the postmas-
te- general. am not prepared 10
suggest any legislation that would i'm
prove conditions at this time"
DeroraIized Says Good.
Congressman Good made this state
ment: The rural mall service has
been completely demoralized by the
Wilson administration. Farmers and
raisers Of pure bred stock living with
in mile or two Of the town that has
been their postoffice address for years
find that without a hearing or chance
to protest that their postoffice has
been changed to some town from five
to fifteen miles distant Many such,
farmers refuse to accept the change
preferring TO go after their mail They
feel that they have proprietary
right in their postoffice address and
will not consent to have this right
taken away from them without a pro-
test
'Pural routes We're originally estab-
lished after personal examination by
an inspector The changes are made
by clerks in Washington who know
nothing about the situation. The post
master general is acting within his
rights. but without experience or
knowledge. There is but little that
congress can do. IT cannot make a
competent official out of an incomDe-
tent one. The people have it within
their power to secure new postmas :
ter general next year. Unquestionably
the farmers of Iowa will grasp the OPP
portunity.'
Brief News Of Iowa Falls.
Special to Times Republican.