that their business has been greatly improved because of the
daily delivery service from wholesale centers.

=Expansion to a National System.=

The success of existing lines of rural express is convincing evidence
that the expansion of the system is an immediate necessity, both for its
value in meeting the present emergency and as a means of permanently
improving rural transportation. What has already developed becomes an
integral part of our national transportation system.

The present strain on our transportation facilities has emphasized our
need for improved means of internal communication not only between
cities, but also reaching out into every agricultural community.

The rural motor express is not, however, a development to meet an
emergency only, but rather an expansion of transportation facilities to
meet the growing demands, to bring the consumer in closer touch with the
producer; to relieve the producer of the burden of marketing his produce
and permit him to remain on the land where his labor is of highest value
to the community.

=The Organization of New Routes.=

The state highways transport committees are organizing local committees
in all communities where there appears to be the need for improved rural
transportation. The local committee first secures co-operation of the
local press and leading organizations interested in transportation and
food supplies. Among the various groups who might be interested are the
following: Chambers of commerce, boards of trade, merchants'
associations, local food administrators, farmers' clubs, county
agricultural agents, dealers in farm implements, feed, fertilizers,
grain, and other farm produce.

Meetings of the representatives of these organizations are held to
explain the plan of rural express and to make general survey of local
needs. Among the facts that are brought out at such meetings are the
following:

1. Experience of existing motor-truck lines in the locality.

2. Instances of localities now lacking such facilities.

3. Conditions of highways in such localities.

4. Labor shortage among farmers.

5. Transportation facilities of country merchants from wholesale
centers.

After a general survey of the country or district has been made the
local committee conducts an intensive survey by means of mailed
questionnaires or personal visits among farms and merchants along route
of prospective lines. Lists of names