Forest City Press

SOUTH DAKOTA MAN STARTED RURAL DELIVERY

Faulkton, S. D., Jan. 29.--Ex-Congressman J. A. Pickler, of this city, was the originator of the rural free delivery which now is such a great success. Credit for this is given Major Pickler of the Washington Post as follows: "When Major Pickler went after an appropriation, congress frequently gave it to be rid of him and it is more than likely that this sort of sentiment occasioned the first appropriation, for free rural delivery. A Texas member of congress made a very strong speech in opposition in which he referred to the delights and advantages of the crossroad's postoffice where the mails had been given out to patrons for a century and where the small tradings of householders were consummated. Pickler was persistent, congress could not get rid of him and an appropriation of $50,000 was made to test the scheme. Twenty-eight millions is now paid for the rural delivery system and in ten years the expense will be double that sum. One cent postage may have been deferred by the inauguration of the system, but rural route patrons are indebted to Major Pickler for their daily mail service."