Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-08-02
Measures Of Reform Introduced.

| Inc lntfOQuCtlCn OF any measure SO
nearly allied to the people and whose
growth has been so surprisingly rapid
must naturally be attended with more
or less imperfection, which only prac-
tical inquiry into operation could full
ly disclose. If this practical inquiry.
carefully made, developed irregulari-
ties which needed correction and the
application of the just and equitable
rules of proper administration, tenn
porarily inconvenienced some and per-
haps gave rise to criticism in others.
it was but an incident to all reforma-
tory processes and could be expected
to disappear when the wider benefits
sought and the greater advantages to
be obtained made the object and the
purpose clear and justified the wisdom
of the action taken. For instance, IL,
by the change of conveyance and the
Encouragement of routes, more and
better service could be given, should 1t
not be done? Whenever and wherev-
err such changes have been made it
has been found possible to extend SER
vice ITO additional patrons heretofore
denied this mmodation-from 500
to 1000 in number. Surely the slight
delay it might occasion to one or sew
eral patrons should meet with little or
no objection when it was shown that
this had been the means Of obliging
many others with at least single
delivery who previously had none
whatever.
In the nature Of things, the great
desire of the people to obtain ben
eft which its government could pro-
vide and the willingness of the Gov
eminent to give it and give it rapidly,
conditions would develop which de-
manded both attention and considera-
ton. If. therefore, it became evident
in operation that by careful inquiry
more could be accomplished than was
being rendered, it was clearly the du-
ty of those in control to investigate
conditions with view to possible bet
terment. "The greatest good to the
greatest number" must ever be the
motto of wise and successful admins
tration, and officials can only hope to
win public approval when such mot
to governs their administrative acts.
1t has been the policy and the pur-
pose Of this administration to make of
the rural delivery and it's partner in
public benefit, the parcel post, all
that its most sanguine projectors |
hoped to accomplish. The Postmaster |
General is deeply interested in both,
and has used to the utmost the great |
powers of his Office and his personal
influence as we'll to promote in every |
possible way these two great factors
in our national life. He wants the
man away from the greater advan:
tages of commercial opportunity to
have an equal chance with his more
favored brother In the cities, and gain
for his industry, whatever 1t may be,
the fullest measure of benefit that gov
eminent can bestow. To this end the
energies Of the Department have been
directed, the wisest counsels sought,
and the greatest personal attention
given. AS important postal centers
provide an easy market for the prod
ucts of the farm and the rate of pos
tage is reduced by the extension Of
local zones, motor delivery was estab-
lished, whereby exchange was stimu-
lated between producer and consumer,
and both alike benefited. Delivery
zones from these important centers
will be, and have been, doubled; still
others established, and the families
tributary to these centers thus enables
to take full advantages Of this en-
[arged opportunity to market the
products of their industry to the best
advantage.
The administration expects to great I
y widen and still further improve this
public benefit and advantage until all
sections and all localities where rural ,
ervice can be made operative shall G
AVE these conveniences afforded them
nd have them generously maintain s
d. Petitions for service are no long q
r necessary. The recommendation of 9
he postmaster brings an inspector l.
7ho goes over the ground, and if SER h
ice can be made at all effective, it O
yill at once be given. No considera- Il
ions Of administrative economy, no n
lore saving of money by misery q
lethods or parsimonious process, is Z
} stand in the way of any benefit
'hich the rural delivery can give or
Use public policy can sanction. The n
ommon people, upon whom the bur- n
ems rest and upon whose toll the ma n
on's prosperity is built, are to have Isl
leir share Of Government favor in II
Ill measure returned to them and ev- "
y aid to the furtherance of legiti- a]
ate enterprise and effort secured by h,
em by performance and by practice. W
hat Rural Delivery Has Accomplish.
ed.
The rural delivery is indeed boon ~, y.
the country. Its measureless ad- -
lntages can not be estimated, nor ~ ~
led the cost of maintenance be con- o.
dered, for it has broadened the field d
industrial opportunity, touched as o.
with magic power the possibilities -.
human endeavor, and transformed ~
nditions to degree almost mar T..
'lous 1t has brought the printed 10
lge, the great edcator of civiliza- -.
On, daily to the home; has brought n,
ecial delivery almost to the door; -