The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-10-03
TRUCK MAIL ROUTES
TO HANDLE PRODUCE
Post Office Department Plans Exten-
sivc improvements to Bring
Farmers Closer to Market.
BOOST PARCEL POST DELIVERIES
Permission Sought From Congress to
Expend Large Sums In Improving
1900 Miles OF Public Highways.

The ablishment of interurban
auto-truck routes for the transporta-
ton of mail is going rapidly forward
east of the Mississippi under the di-
irection of the post office department
Scores of routes have been laid out
and are being installed as rapidly as
possible. Contrary to general opinion,
the establishment OF these routes Is
not wartime measure designed to
relieve railway congestion. but is a
part OF the permanent policy of the
post office department
In the very important matter of
bringing the farm into touch with
the city the auto-truck routes will
serve a purpose that will be appre-
ciated by every city dweller who wants
fresh eggs and vegetables brought to
his door direct from the farm. To
the farmer also the project Is of great
interest. opening up as 1t does mar
ket for his produce.
The post-office department says to
the producer: ship eggs butter, milk,
cream, vegetables, fruit. dressed poul-
try, etc, from your door by parcel
post Decrease waste, save time and
increase output, eliminate excessive
handling and reduce damage"
The Department. message to the
consumer is: "Parcel-post trucks de-
liver produce and fruit direct from
the farm to your door. Heated cars
tare furnished in the winter, where
necessary and iced containers dur
ling the summer"
Speed and economy of operation of
the trucks have been made possible
by their equipment with United States
noeby cord pneumatic tires. These
tires make 1t possible for the trucks
n M CT nd
line consumption and wear on the en-
gines. In addition. they make it pos
sible for the trucks to carry delicate
freight. such as eggs, which would
fare badly If hauled over country
roads on solid tires. The department
keeps a careful record OF the life of
each tire and will be able in year
or two TO furnish complete statistics
as to the cost per mile OF each tire.
To the Automobiles, the depart
ments plans have an especial inter
est for, as an important part of the
project. the post office auth orities are
seeking permission from congress to
expend large sums from the profits
Tof the undertaking in building first
class highways over the 1900 miles OF
road the trucks will traverse when
the system is complete east OF the
Mississippi.
1t has oeSn 1ouHU tDat inc IIuChS
can be counted on TO earn an average
of at least $4,000 A year each. and
the post office department has request
cd congress to authorize IL to ex-
{pend so per cent OF the gross earn
ings for the construction and main
tenance OF the highways on which
the service ia or may be established.
In advocating the expenditure OF a
substantial part Of its receipts from
,.Ir- w. \
gpartment without doubt considers it
self under moral obligation to the
states to reimburse them for the wear
and tear on the roads. The use of
the highways by government -owned
equipment without compensation Is
considered neither equitable nor Just.
The Improvement Of the roads. while
of benefit to the states, Will further
increase the possibilities OF profit to
the government
The highways which the department
plans to construct are of so perman-
ent type that the cost of mainten-
ance will be slight. 1t la planned to
construct at a cost of about $20, 0ho
/ a mile a concrete or brick paved road
mot less than sixteen feet wide, not
/ less than nine inches top depth with
heavy grouted under foundation, thor
oughly underdrained for the entire
j distance. no OtHeT type Oh Fodu con
struction will Withstand the exigen-
| cies of modern usage without abnor-
NAL after expense for upkeep.
/ The department points out that
judicious program. carefully worked
out will be extremely valuable as a
national policy for the employment
of thousands Of returning victorious
veterans who will thoroughly appre-
ciate the value of permanent high
Ga av,d
who can understand the military value
of such roads as II is damned to con
struct.