Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-02-09
RURAL MAIL CARRIERS
TO KEEP EXACT RECORD
OF MAIL DELIVERED
Thousands Of Pieces Of Mail
Sent Over Miles Of
Country Roads

In order that the postoffice depart
ment may secure data as to the exact
amount of mail carried by the rural
carriers, an order was issued notifying
the nine rural carriers to keep a record
during the month of January of the
number of pieces delivered and col
leeted, the weight each day, miles trav-
eled, families served and the number
Of boxes to which mail was delivered.
The number of miles travelled by
the carriers does not differ greatly,
as the smallest milage is that of route
., c. W. Brasher, with % miles, and
the longest route, that of James Rem
ington on route |, with a little over 81
miles.
Many things enter into the life of a.
rural carrier that does not show on the
records. For instance, Lyman Melon
aid travels in a nilly country on route
3, and travelling up and down hills in
the snow and rain of January was
rather slow business Hence his work
in time averaged 10 hours and Is min
utes daily. The working time of Percy
Pugh on route I, a route over % miles
long, only averaged six hours and Al
minutes, but Percy used an automobile
and travelled along pretty fast,
James Remington ON route col
lected 1866 pieces of mail last Jan
uary, weighing 2,223 pounds but he
had to work one hour and 20 minutes
longer every day that he did last De-
tober on account of the weather. He
served 40 families with 1856 boxes
and collected 2,2l5 pieces of mail which
was 2S5 more pieces than last October.
G. w. Brasher ON route found it
better travelling with two horses part
of the time and that is one more horse
than any of the other carriers. He de-
hvered 13,442 pieces, weighing 2035
pounds. He had to work on the aver
age 9 hours and so minutes daily serv-
ed 240 families with lS2 boxes. AL
though this route is % miles long, he
brought in only 1867 pieces of mail
weighing 100 pounds during the month.
Lyman Mcdonald route 3, is the man
who travels over % miles of hilly
country. He delivered more mail than
any of the carriers, although his 24,557
pieces did not weigh as much as the
1885 pieces delivered on route six.
He mad heavy single day S mail when
he delivered 1869 pieces. Mr. McDon-
AIDS average hours were the longest
Of the nine, as he worked 10 hours and
Is minutes average daily. He heads
the list on his 354 families to serve
with 277 boxes. His route receives
more mail than any, but stands fourth
in the amount sent out. Or possibly his
patrons bring their own mail to town.
At least Mcdonald only got 1874 pounds
curing last January.
George Litchfeld on route 4 does
rot break any record although he av-
crages up pretty well in the work to be
done. He travels 4 little over "a miles
each day and his average daily work.
ing time is nine hours and fOrty.eight
minutes. He delivered 1915 pieces of
mail, weighing 2575 pounds. His heav-
lest days work was when he carried
out l24l pieces. His footsteps, or rath.
er his mail wagon was welcomed by
294 families, getting their mail in 23l
boxes. He collected 20l2 pieces Of mail
weighing l57 pounds.
James Albert travelling over "a
miles on route >, brought in more mail
than any of the boys. Possibly this
is because he delivers to all the insti
tutions except the pen and state hos
Ipital Anyhow, he has big bunch OF
mail for the state institutions lie de
livered 1925 pieces last month, weigh.
ing 3,47j pounds which was next to the
heaviest mail carried out His heavi
est day wcrk was when 24S pounds
were delivered. 1t takes time to handle
this route as Mr.. Albert averaged lC
hours and l6 minutes daily. He ha.
fewer boxes than any, but the state
institutions take lot of time.
q. /. Fisher on route covers about
20 ana one-half miles on his daily
travels. Although he delivered 1876
pounds, il was tine heaviest mail OF
all at it weighed 3,677 pounds. He Is
welcomed any old time by 220 families
who get their mail in 175 boxes. HI
collected 2,45S pounds Of mail weighing
l23 pounds. Mr.. Fisher got away witt
bis job by working an average hour,
qnl "a minutes.
Percy Pugn is the boy with the auto
which burns up enough gasoline daily
to cover 23la miles on route I. llt
vii, have to cut corners now to breal
even as gasoline is going up, Percy
delivered 1906 pieces of mail, weigh
ing 2372 pounds. The auto helpeC
some az his average daily working tim,
was g hours and Al minutes. The h lnl
Of his horn is welcomed by 254 fam
Ines. They are good letter writer's Al
he collected 2,O65 pieces weighing 90.
ponds.
+. L. South, on route delivered 16,
sos pieces, weighing 2,942 pounds. HI
zig days work was when he carried
out 259 pounds. His working time av
eraged hours and 4 minutes laily
Welcoming him are 2S2 families get
ting mail in 227 boxes. His route rank
second on letter writing, as he col
lected 2,622 pieces Of mail, weighing
1876 pounds. He travels over 26 mile
every day.
Mrs. Grace Fhgn believes in woman I
rights, or at least the right of woman
to do a man IS work. as she handles tn,
mail on route 9 to the satisfaction Of
everybody. Although Mrs. Pugh il
obliged to travel over "a miles every
day, her route is really the lightest OF
all, as she delivered only l0Sl6 pieces
last month weighing 1889 pounds. He
working time averaged 7 hours and 3!
minutes daily. She delivers to lSt
families who get their mail in 1862 box
es. Only 45 pounds Of mail was col
lected on this route. Since last DC
tober business has been getting bette