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Show e. 1 !i, I k Rural Tree Dclhcry. I Tho factthat at the present time jjj fanners that live In a territory repre- Isentlng 300,000 square miles of the United States have the mall delivered and collected by government carriers, Indicates tho development of tho Rural Freo Delivery system. When It is remembered that this area comprises com-prises nearly one-third of the present territory ot tho country devoted to agrlcultuio. This service in a small way began In 1MK). The permanent organization was not effected until July ls 1002. Since the date of tho permanent establishment of this system the force of mall carriers has been Increased until theie Is now a force of 12,ooo men, who dally travel about 300,000 miles of laud for the r, beneilt of ".ooo.ooo of people. Some '. c counties entirely depend upon this system for their mall service. About 2,200 small po-,1 offices have been (lis-continued, (lis-continued, whose salary list aniount- ed to $200,000 annually. In the selection of men to cover tho various routes, the law provides that only persons who have lived at least ono year within the district covered tiro eligible to olllco. They must pass an examination which tests their ability A to read and write, and their knowledge of mathematics. They must also pro-vhlu pro-vhlu themselves with a suitable vehl-clo vehl-clo drawn by one or two horses as bo-comes bo-comes necessary. A salary 'of $000 a a year Is paid to servo routes of twenty milts and over; $;00 for sixteen to ri ' twenty miles varying from these sums to $150 fo.r shorter distances. These $alarlcs were of a sufficient Inducement Induce-ment for 00,000 applicants to be made In 1002. Many of them were farmers and aged men, a small portion being residents of towns. Tho service is not only difficult but Includes some hardships especially In the sparsely set tledand mountainousdlstricts. Many of the carriers exhibit a great deal of pride in being able to serve tho Government. Gov-ernment. .Many of them try to excel In tho appearance of their vehicles and In making the best record over their respective routes. Uy the adoption of this system, tho farmers feel that they arc members of society and their welfare Is being considered by tho Government to whom they pay ellegl-ancc. ellegl-ancc. To say tho least the thought Is uplifting and encouraging to all who are benefited by tho system. It tends to make one more satlslled with his lot, though It be far away from centers of activity. Tho change thus being brought about may have a tendency tend-ency to overcome the prejudice of a country life, which already exists to some degree among the younger generation. gen-eration. Should It oveicomo some of tho existing discontent, tho establishment establish-ment of the rural fiee deliver will be well worth the expense to maintain It. The present Indications arc that tho system will be self sustaining. Further Fur-ther tho post office department feel warranted in asserting that It Is "possible "pos-sible to give every rural citizen of the United States the dally service of a carrier except In some localities where physical conditions render It Impossible. Impossi-ble. Truly can It bo said that we aro living under a bioad, generous, benevolent bene-volent government. |