No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURF']. 535 



to maiutaiii daily trips on accoutit of the poor oi* impassable coucli- 

 tion of I he roads duiiiig t-ertaiu seasons of the year has brought 

 forcibly to the attention of the Department the absolute necessity 

 of repairing these roads to insure a continuance of the rural free de- 

 livery service. After routes have been established and in operation 

 for some time, route inspectors are se«t out at regular intervals to 

 make a general investigation of the rural system. Among other 

 points on which they report are the quality and condition of the high- 

 ways traversed. These inspectors are required to specify definitely 

 such portions of the highways traveled by rural carriers as are im- 

 passable, and to give the names and addresses of the road supervi- 

 sors or others in authority who are responsible for their repair and 

 maintenance. In addition to this information the Department has 

 gathered data from more than 2,400 of the rural free delivery post- 

 ofHices bearing upon the condition of the public roads. The informa- 

 tion has been received in answer to the following questions: 



What is the condition of the roads traveled by the rural carrier? 



Were the roads impassable at any time during the past winter; if 

 so, how many days and for what cause? 



Are the roads being properly repaired this year? 



If any roads need attention, give name and address of road super- 

 visor or other ofiQcial. 



The replies received show that the roads from 666 post-offices were 

 in bad condition; at 1,814 they were fair, passable, and good. The 

 names and addresses of 1,104 road supervisors were also furnished, 

 and their attention has since been called to the condition of the high- 

 ways under their supervision, with an urgent request that repairs 

 be made before winter weather again sets in. The letter written to 

 road supervisors reads as follows: 



"Dear Sir: An investigation by this office discloses the fact that 



the roads traveled by the rural carrier from post-office 



are not being attended to as post-roads should be; they are in bad 



condition. The postmaster at has this day been notified 



to inform the patrons of route that the lack of care given to the 



roads covered by it will, if continued, endanger the permanency of 

 the service there. A rural carrier can not possibly make regular 

 time or perform efficient service over bad roads, particularly during 

 winter and spring. 



Now is the time to mend these highways, and it is the hope of the 

 Department that the roads over which you may have direct supervi- 

 sion will be repaired before winter weather sets in, so that the con- 

 tinuance of the rural free delivery service may be insured. 



