Post Office Hit Hard
by the Flu Epidemic. . . 12 Employes Out and No Substitutes Available
The influenza epidemic raging in Greensboro is no respecter
of persons or business. It has fastened itself upon the mighty as well as upon
the citizen of low degree. It has crippled small businesses and the United
States government is not immune. The post office, in fact, is about as hard hit
as any business in Greensboro. Postmaster Cooke has 12 clerks and carriers out,
or about 25 per cent of his force. He has no substitutes available and the
business and the government, at least part of it, must go by default. Mr. Cooke
has succeeded thus far in maintaining once a day delivery of first class mail
in the city, but the rural routes have suffered while it has not been possible
to deliver parcel post.
On Route No. 2, the route going out by the John Young place,
there has been no delivery service for two days. Rural Carrier Will Wharton,
who is on that route, is ill and no substitute has been found. But the Daily News, which is also crippled by
the influenza epidemic, went to the aid of the post office and the people of
that section and endeavored to give service. One of its employees, Harry Wharton,
took a Daily News truck and carried
the route. Postmaster Cooke has called for help, but help is hard to find.
The post office is not by any means the only place of
business affected by the influenza. It is probable that there is not a business
in Greensboro but what has suffered or is now suffering. The railroad is hard
hit. It is understood that there are not enough men crews to handle freights
and the freight service is uncertain and far behind. It is said that in
Greensboro alone there are between 100 and 125 railroad employes not at work.
All, however, are not sick. But those who are not ill and not at work are
required at home to look after other members of their family who are ill.
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