Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-30
PROFESSIONAL CONCERN FOR
THE FARMER?

| tAAOoS hOAoiiS PAoNO ldu ~ ClOA :
ment at Washington will always de-
clare they are for the farmer. 1t
makes no difference what may be
their political breed they are always
very prompt in protesting concern
for the welfare of the agriculturalist.
This is as might be expected; the
farmer being a considerable portion
Of the voting population. From this
it is not to be inferred. however, that
all of this profession of interest Is in
sincere. Enough of it is, however, to
excite suspicion when those making
the professions lend themselves to
schemes unfavorable to the farming
population.
| Here is an instance near at home.
While in interview, in public docu-
ments and in divers and sundry ways
the farmers are being told they must
have rural delivery, they must have
better highways, they must have fac
| ilities for better intercourse with the
outside world, they must have a bu-
reau in Washington to look after
their schools, their maternity cases
and the bringing up of their children,
they are in substance told in the
same breath they must put up with
poorer service from the Government.
| Today the Journal receives a let
ter from a farmer in Freedom pro-
testing against a change in the rural
delivery service in his town, a SER
vice that appears to have given sat
isfaction over a period of nearly II
years, including several severe win
tiers. 1t Is interesting for several
reasons, one being the light it throws
upon the protested governmental in
terest in the condition of the farmer.
Here is the letter: "a few days ago
we received an official notice from
the post-office department at Wash
ington stating that the rural carriers
on routes 1 and 2, leaving Freedom
post office at 1890 A. NJ, or about,
will. from Nov. to April /, leave at
8 A. NJ.
| considering the latter schedule all
our western mail, together with all
the daily papers printed in this sec
ton Of the State of Maine will lie at
Freedom post-office "a hours, also
mail from Belfast and Bangor.
"Truly a daily paper isn't any good
to me after 1t is two or three days
old.
! conditions are very unsatisfactory
for us as farmers in this remote
country section at best, and many
are moving away to better conven-
fences. And this delay in our mail
service is one more that will hasten
my departure from the farm. And
who is there of us who does not real
ize that the already much neglected
farmer is the most real, most noble,
most vital factor in this great coun-
try Of ours. Therefore show him a
little mercy.
believing that the proposed
change is not right, that it is unfair
and unjust. I beg of you to cooper
ate with me in maintaining the pres
ent schedule, which we have had for
about seventeen years, without a
complaint"
1t seems strange that postal au-
thorities would make a change like
this without considering the conven-
fence of the patrons, which appar-
emily hasn't been done. Indeed it is
difficult to find any convenience af-
forded by the change, unless it be to
the carrier. If this be the situation
the convenience Of one should not
be at the expense Of the community
he serves. If the present arrange
ment has been continued for seven
teen years and proved successful it is
entitled to respect and hearing, to
say the least.
|