On May 15, 1918, the first regular air mail route was established in this country between Washington, Philadelphia and New York. The flight between Washington and New York requires approximately two hours, as compared with five hours by the fastest railway trains. Other routes are in course of development.
During the latter part of the World War the Postoffice Department operated the telegraph and telephone systems of the country.
In the year 1918 the Department inaugurated a system of motor-truck parcel post routes, especially to facilitate the distribution of food stuffs. The trucks are owned by the Government and many former Army trucks are now utilized in this service. A great variety of merchandize is hauled along these routes; all sorts of farm products are carried to the city markets and the merchandize purchased in the city is distributed through the rural districts on the return trip. The trucks pick up parcels anywhere along their routes—not merely at postoffices, but at farmhouses—and deliver in the same way. Produce from the country is delivered directly to the consignee in the city, house-to-house delivery being made wherever the houses are easily accessible to the regular routes of the trucks. While certain produce cannot be shipped through a postoffice, under the postal regulations, all kinds of produce, including live poultry, are accepted by the trucks where the delivery can be made directly without having to go through a postoffice.
Besides these routes operated directly by the Government, many of the so-called “star routes” (routes operated by contractors) are now equipped with motor vehicles.
PREPARED BY THE EDITORIAL STAFF OF THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION
ILLUSTRATION FOR THE MENTOR, VOL. 7, No. 11, SERIAL No. 183
COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION, INC.
DISABLED SOLDIERS LEARNING TO WEAVE RUGS AT AN ARMY HOSPITAL
THE STORY OF UNCLE SAM
War Pensions—and Something Better
SIX