Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-01-11
CA. MOTOR TRUCK ROUTES
. FOR PARCEL POST SERVICE
New System Is Expected to
Relieve Mail Congestion
and Aid Farmers.
By RALPH SMITH

WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. 9.-The
plaIr of the government for the utili-
zation of the post reads of the coun-
try as a means of relieving railroad
congestion and establishing a more di-
rect method of communication between
the producers and consumers is near
ing fruition. The postoffice depart
ment is making steady progress in the
scheme to establish throughout the
country a network of motor truck
routes for the transportation of parcel
post matter. Georgia has not been
neglected in the contemplated develop
ment, and the establishments of several
routes radiating from Atlanta is as
sured, as was first indicated in the ad-
vertisements posted in the Atlanta post
office and all other points in Georgia.
The proposed motor truck parcel post
service is being undertaken by the
postoffce department under the ex-
penditures legalized by congress for the
establishment of star routes. AS in
the case of contemplated star routes
the department, in compliance with the
law, posts advertisements in the post
office terminals calling for bids for
the performance of the service. If the
bids are too high the department will
operate the routes.
With respect to the development of
the service in Georgia, the department
thus far has advertised for bids for
only two routes, but it is stated that
others are in contemplation.
The department has received and
opened a number of bids for the op-
Grafton of a motor truck parcel post
service between Atlanta and Columbus
via Macon. and Atlanta and Athens
Under the plan the Atlanta-Macon-Co-
lumbus route will connect at Column
bus with a route from Montgomery. The
Atlanta-Athens route will connect at
Athens with a service from Greenville
which in turn will connect with a
route from Charlotte.
The department has investigated and
favorably considered the establishment
of a local route from Atlanta to Cleve-
land, in White county, via Suwanee,
Norcross, Flowery Branch Buford and
Gainesville Advertisements for bids
for this service will be posted imme-
ditaely.
Postal authorities have under investi-
cation the establishment of a route
from Chattanooga to Atlanta, the route
to connect at the former point with a
service from Nashville. 1t is proposed
to carry the route through Marietta,
Cassville Kingston. Adairsville Car
tersville, Altoona, Calhoun, Dalton and
other points.
BY thus bringing the farmers in
closer and easier communication with
the cities, through these and other mo-
tor truck routes, the government be-
lieves the burden of railroad transporta-
ton will be relieved to a degree, and
a diff1cult obstacle in the way of food
supply removed. The routes will enable
the farmers to sell direct to the con-
sumner, and will enable the city folks to
arrange for their supplies of butter,
eggs, etc.
Edward Ryan, chief clerk to the SUI
perintendent of rural mail under the
fourth assistant postmaster general,
explained today that the two routes in
Georgia, for which bids have been ad-
vertised, and the two others under con-
sideration by no means represent the
extent of the departments plans with
respect to the development in Georgia.
If, as he and others believe, the motor
routes prove a success, many addi-
tional services will be established, and
the state will be traversed by net
work Of motor trucks for mail pur-