THE FREMONT COUNTY SUN. May 2, 1901. "Extending Rural Free Delivery".--On July 1 next the rural free delivery system will be enlarged on the strength of an increased appropriation amounting in all to $3,500,000 for the ensuing year. New routes will be established and old ones extended. No route will be started of less than twenty miles in length or serving less than one hundred families. Each family must put up at its own expense a box of accepted design close to the highway. The boxes are under the protection of the federal statutes, and any one tampering with them, is subject to severe penalities. Rural carriers will personally deliver registered, special delivery or pension letters. In connection with this subject comes in a strong argument for the good roads movement. Unless the roads are in satisfactory condition the postoffice Department will not consider an aplication for a route. It pays to look well to the public highways.

As an essential part of broadening rural free delivery the department urges farmers and residents in the country to keep the roads in repair. One township in Michigan obtained a route by spending $600 extra on its roads. A successful feature of rural free delivery is the money order system. The first order was issued sixteen months ago and in February last the number handled by the rural carriers was 18,645. As long as the mail schedule is properly maintained the rural carrier is allowed to deliver packages also. Routes are established on the strength of petitions signed by heads of families. 'Rural free delivery is an old story in some European countries. It has been sufficiently tested in the United States to insure its steady, and probably rapid extension.