Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-07-20

operating In S%< cities with 4,116
trucks and %.o67 employees. For these
trucks we buy annually $4,000 tires.
10000 gallons OF gasoline, and 244.-
900 gallons of cylinder oil. The mp
preparation OF $1b.000.000 for this
service was tho same in the year 1921
ms in 1922. yet we closed tho fiscal
year, June 30th. last with a surplus
OF $500, 900. Notwithstanding that we
had an increase in tho service In 7s
cities. This saving was accomplished
In several ways. The system OF allow
Ing each postmaster TO purchase his
supplies locally has been discontinue
ed. All supplies are now purchased
through tho Supply Division. We have
now standardized into eight makes OF
trucks. whereas formerly there were
thirty-two different makes and types.
Central repair units have been cstab-
lished. thereby very materially reduc-.
Ing the cost OF repairs. While tho
painting OF the trucks seems to be a
small item. yet we are saving annual
ly $4,000 by changing tho color from
red. white and blue TO olive drab. In
Wilmington we have fourteen trucks
operating.
Probably the most important Of the
duties In connection with my bureau
Is the rural delivery service. This d.
vision Is charged with the establish
ment and revision OF rural routes, ap-
pointment OF carriers. and the control
of tho star route service except In
Alaska During the last fiscal year
627 new routes were established, A.
O25 extensions were made, and 4,024
carriers appointed. among whom were
2.06S ex-eoldiers. In Delaware nine
new routes have been established and
% revised and extended. The rural
delivery Is the most potential factor
In the development OF rural territory.
This great convenience, together with
the telephone. has brought the country
into close touch with tho city,
A great deal of the isolation which
has operated against the development
OF the rural community has been elm
mated by these two great public
convcniences. The rural delivery ser
vice was tho first TO demand better
roads, 1t would not go where the
roads were bad Then the auto came
demanding still better roads. Now
the rural delivery is carrying mer-
chandise from the city to tho farmer
and bringing back produce from tho
farmer to the city. Today there are
44.0S6 rural carriers serving 6.409 ,4Sg
families. or about 29.4S3,401 persons
The carriers bring to these families
newspapers, magazines. letters anS
merchandise with tho regularity o.
the railway train. Throughout tn
country. during some OF the sever,
snowstorms last winter in the North
west. and tho floods in the South an,
Southwest In the spring, many of tn,
carriers displayed great courage an,
faithfulness in their devotion TO tn,
service. and are worthy of consider
able praise. At times the duties o
rural carriers are extremely hazardous
Among the recent casualties, a carrie
was killed defending tho mails, sew
ertu have lost their lives In blizzards
others were drowned while crossinl
swollen streams.
, II have only told you Of the worl
or tho Fourth Assistant. Each OF tn
other three Assistants has a specis
and important line of work also.
Tho total appropriation for tn
. Postofiice Department for tho presen
fiscal year is 3565.1Se. 1860. OF thi
amount $12o. Ss7 .461.5o is appropriat
ed for the Fourth Assistants bureay
II want to impress upon you tn
, fact that each one OF you Is a share
holder IN this huge organizatton--th
greatest business organization IN tn
world And you receive a dividen
} upon every day OF tho year IN tn
! shape OF service, which is OF muc
more advantage 20 you than II receiv
( ed IN dollars and cents. In closing
, want TO thank you for the earnest al
! tention and courteous treatment yo
have accorded me. and I wish 20 ex
S tend TO each member OF tho Rotar
y Club cordial invitation TO call q
3 the Postofflce Department wheneve
Q you Visit Washington"