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L L LAWS AND
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REGULATIONS
APPLICABLE TO
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND
CARRIERS
PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
DANIEL C. ROPER
First Assistant Postmaster General
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POSTAL LAWS AND
REGULATIONS
APPLICABLE TO
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND
CARRIERS
PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
DANIEL C. ROPER
First Assistant Postmaster General
PARTMENT
POST OFFICE
*
UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1914

5'rine
Reclass: 5-1-36. E.R
WASHINGTON, D. C., January 1, 1914.
This manual contains those sections of the Postal Laws
and Regulations (edition of 1913), amended to date, that
are applicable to clerks and carriers in post offices, and is
published for their information and guidance. It embraces
instructions relative to the performance of their duties and
regulations governing their appointment and mutations in
office. Each clerk and carrier will be furnished with a
copy and will be required to familiarize himself with its
contents and be prepared to pass an examination on the
same when called upon, the result of which examination
will become a part of his efficiency record.
The postal laws are printed in small type and the regu-
lations in large type.
A regulation has all the force of law when not in conflict
with a statute.
The manual is the property of the Post Office Department,
and should be surrendered by the clerk or carrier at the
expiration of his term of service.
DANIEL C. ROPER,
First Assistant Postmaster General.
3
291102
SOTOS
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLI-
CABLE TO POST OFFICE CLERKS AND
CARRIERS.
Sec. 8. Regulations.-The head of each department is authorized to
prescribe regulations, not inconsistent with law, for the government of
his department, the conduct of its officers and clerks, the distribution
and performance of its business, and the custody, use, and preservation
of the records, papers, and property appertaining to it.
2. All regulations or amendments thereof shall be
promulgated by the Postmaster General and duly entered
of record in the journal.
Sec. 11. First Assistant Postmaster General.-To the
First Assistant Postmaster General are assigned the ap-
pointment of postmasters, including their bonding and
commissioning; the general management of post offices,
and the instruction of postmasters, except as otherwise
provided; the changing of names of post offices; and the
changing of sites and discontinuing of presidential post
offices; the authorization of allowances for rent, clerk
hire, and other expenditures connected with post offices;
the conduct of the city and special delivery services; and
the correspondence of the department with postmasters
and the public not assigned to other offices.


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*
*
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*

4. The Division of Salaries and Allowances, under the
supervision of the Superintendent Division of Salaries and
Allowances, is charged with; * * * the consideration
of all matters pertaining to the clerical forces of first and
second class offices, including the appointment, upon the
5
6
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
*
nomination of postmasters, and the bonding of clerks,
their salaries, and preparation of cases for charges preferred
against them * *
5. The Division of City Delivery, under the supervision
of the Superintendent Division of City Delivery, is
charged with the consideration and preparation of regu-
lations for the government of the city and special delivery
services, and preparation of cases for the appointment,
upon the nomination of postmasters, and the bonding of
letter carriers, * * *
Sec. 29. Removals from classified service.- No person in the classi-
fied civil service of the United States shall be removed therefrom except
for such cause as will promote the efficiency of said service and for reasons
given in writing, and the person whose removal is sought shall have
notice of the same and of any charges preferred against him, and be
furnished with a copy thereof, and also be allowed a reasonable time for
personally answering the same in writing; and affidavits in support
thereof; but no examination of witnesses nor any trial or hearing shall
be required except in the discretion of the officer making the removal;
and copies of charges, notice of hearing, answer, reasons for removal,
and of the order of removal shall be made a part of the records of the
proper department or office, as shall also the reasons for reduction in
rank or compensation; and copies of the same shall be furnished to the
person affected upon request, and the Civil Service Commission also shall,
upon request, be furnished copies of the same: Provided, however, That
membership in any society, association, club, or other form of organi-
zation of postal employees not affiliated with any outside organization
imposing an obligation or duty upon them to engage in any strike, or
proposing to assist them in any strike, against the United States, having
for its objects, among other things, improvements in the condition of
labor of its members, including hours of labor and compensation therefor
and leave of absence, by any person or groups of persons in said Postal
Service, or the presenting by any such person or groups of persons of
any grievance or grievances to the Congress or any Member thereof shall
not constitute or be cause for reduction in rank or compensation or
removal of such person or groups of persons from said service. The
right of persons employed in the civil service of the United States, either
individually or collectively, to petition Congress, or any Member thereoi,
or to furnish information to either House of Cɔngress, or to any com-
mittee or member thereof, shall not be denied or interfered with.

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
7
Sec. 36. Duties of post-office inspectors.-Post-office
inspectors are the special representatives of the Postmaster
General. They are charged with the investigation of post
offices and all matters connected with the Postal Service,
and with keeping the department advised as to the con-
dition and needs of the service. Alleged violations of law
are to be investigated and reported upon by them, and
they will, when necessary, aid in the prosecution of all
criminal offenses.
2. Postmasters, clerks, employees, contractors, and
others connected with the Postal Service are subordinate
to post-office inspectors when acting within the scope of
their duty and employment. But no arbitrary power is
hereby conferred upon them. They are not to interfere
with any officer or employee who is in the proper discharge
of his duty further than to examine his methods, system,
and accounts, or any complaints which may be made
against him. Nor are they to interfere with the mails or
the transportation thereof, except as expressly authorized
by law, and as permitted by the regulations.
3. Inspectors are empowered to open pouches and sacks
and examine the mails therein and are authorized to enter
and inspect post offices at all times.
4. Inspectors are required to exhibit as evidence of
their authority the commission issued by the Postmaster
General.
Sec. 153. Oath of office.—The oath to be taken by any person elected
or appointed to any office of honor or profit * * * in the civil * * *
service * * * shall be as prescribed in section seventeen hundred
and fifty-seven of the Revised Statutes.
2. Before entering upon the duties, and before they shall receive any
salary, the Postmaster General, and all persons employed in the Postal
Service, shall respectively take and subscribe before some magistrate or
other competent officer authorized to administer oaths by the laws of
the United States, or of any State or Territory, the following oath or
affirmation.

*
*
*


8
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
3. The oaths required to be taken under the preceding
statutes by the Postmaster General and all other officers
and employees of the Post Office Department and the
Postal Service are combined in the following form:
I (name of appointee), having been appointed (designate office or
employment), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and
defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign
and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;
that I take this obligation freely and without any mental reservation or
purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the
duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
I do further solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully perform
all the duties required of me and abstain from everything forbidden
by the laws in relation to the establishment of post offices and post
roads within the United States; and that I will honestly and truly
account for and pay over any money belonging to the said United States
which may come into my possession or control; and I also further swear
(or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States.
So help me God.
Sworn to and subscribed before me, a
day of
A. D. 19—


NOTE.—Mail contractors, subcontractors, carriers, mail messengers,
and other persons concerned in the transportation of the mails, except
employees of railroads and steamboats, must take the special oath pre-
scribed by the act of Mar. 5, 1874, which is the latter part of the above
oath, beginning "I do further solemnly swear," etc. Taken separately
this special oath begins "I, A. B., do solemnly swear," etc.
4. The oath of office required by * * * (act of May 13, 1884) may
be taken before any officer who is authorized either by the laws of the
United States or by the local municipal law to administer oaths in the
State, Territory, or District where such oath may be administered.
*
*
*
Sec. 156. Clerks who are notaries public not to charge
for administering oath.-
*

*
*
*
*
2. No officer, clerk, or employee in the executive serv-
ice of the Government who is also a notary public shall
charge or receive any compensation whatever for perform-
ing any notarial act for another officer, clerk, or employee
in his official relation to the Government, nor charge or
receive any compensation for performing a notarial act
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
9
for any person during the hours of such notary's service
to the Government, which hours shall include the half-
hour allowed each week day for luncheon, except that
fourth-class postmasters and rural carriers are permitted
to charge a fee for administering oaths at any time in
connection with the execution of pension vouchers.
*
*
*
*
*
Sec. 157. Married women in the postal service.-No
married woman will be appointed to a classified position
in the postal service, nor will any woman occupying a
classified position in the postal service be reappointed to
such position when she shall marry, provided that these
prohibitions shall not affect the appointment or reap-
pointment of postmasters at fourth-class offices.
2. Whenever any woman employed in the postal servic
marries she shall, if retained in the service, take the oath
of office anew.
Sec. 158. Omission to take oath.-Every person employed in the
postal service shall be subject to all penalties and forfeitures for the viola-
tion of the laws relating to such service, whether he has taken the oath of
office or not.
Sec. 160. State or municipal offices.- No person holding
an office under the Post Office Department shall accept or
hold any elective office under any State, Territorial, or
municipal government (including the offices of alderman,
councilman, etc.), even though no compensation may
attach thereto, and no such person shall accept or hold
such office by appointment.
2. A person in the postal service may be appointed
(not elected) to the office of justice of the peace, notary
public, commissioner to take acknowledgment of deeds
or administer oaths, or a commission in State or Terri-
torial militia, or may accept an appointive position in a
10
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
local or municipal fire department without compensation,
or on a school committee, board of education, public
library, or religious or eleemosynary institution incor-
porated or sustained by State or municipal authority,
but will not be permitted to hold such office or position
if it interferes with his duties in the postal service.
Sec. 161. Postmasters and certain other employees exempt from
militia duty.-* * * All postmasters and persons employed in the
transportation of the mail (and) all ferrymen employed at any ferry
on post roads * * * shall be exempted from militia duty.
NOTE.-The act of Jan. 21, 1903 (32 Stat., 775), exempts from militia
duty “postmasters and persons employed by the United States in the
transmission of the mail; ferrymen employed at any ferry on a post road."
2. Postmasters and other employees of the postal
service are not exempt by reason of their employment
from jury or road duty, or any other obligation as citi-
zens arising under the laws of any State or municipality.
Sec. 162. Officers and employees not to use position for
political purposes.-No person in the executive civil service
shall use his official authority or influence for the purpose
of interfering with an election or affecting the results
thereof. Persons who by the provisions of these rules
are in the competitive classified service, while retaining
the right to vote as they please and to express privately
their opinions on all political subjects, shall take no active
part in political management or political campaigns.
2. Officers and employees of the Post Office Depart-
ment and postal service are not precluded from exercising
their political privileges, but shall not use their official
positions to control elections or political movements.
Sec. 163. Political contributions.-No Senator or Representative in,
or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, Congress, or Senator, Repre-
sentative, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner elect, or officer or employee
of either House of Congress, and no executive, judicial, military, or naval
officer of the United States, and no clerk or employee of any department,


POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
11
branch, or bureau of the executive, judicial, or military or naval service
of the United States, shall directly or indirectly solicit or receive, or be
in any manner concerned in soliciting or receiving, any assessment, sub-
scription, or contribution for any political purpose whatever, from any
officer, clerk, or employee of the United States, or any department,
branch, or bureau thereof, or from any person receiving any salary or
compensation from moneys derived from the Treasury of the United
States. (See sec. 167.)
Sec. 164. Political contributions.- No person shall, in any room or
building occupied in the discharge of official duties by any officer or
employee of the United States mentioned in the preceding section (sec.
163, P. L. and R.), or in any navy yard, fort, or arsenal, solicit in any
manner whatever or receive any contribution of money or other thing of
value for any political purpose whatever. (See sec. 167.)
Sec. 165. Political contributions.-No officer, clerk, or other person
in the service of the United States shall, directly or indirectly, give or
hand over to any other officer, clerk, or person in the service of the United
States, or to any Senator or Member of or Delegate to Congress, or Resi-
dent Commissioner, any money or other valuable thing on account of or
to be applied to the promotion of any political object whatever. (See
sec. 167.)
Sec. 166. Immunity from official proscription.-Noofficer or employee
of the United States mentioned in section one hundred and eighteen (sec.
163, P. L. and R.), shall discharge, or promote, or degrade, or in any
manner change the official rank or compensation of any other officer or
employee, or promise or threaten so to do, for giving or withholding or
neglecting to make any contribution of money or other valuable thing
for any political purpose. (See sec. 167.)
Sec. 167. Punishment for violations. Whoever shall violate any
provision of the four preceding sections (secs. 163, 164, 165, and 166,
P. L. and R.) shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars, or
imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
Sec. 168. Gifts.-No officer, clerk, or employee in the United States
Government employ shall at any time solicit contributions from other
officers, clerks, or employees in the Government service for å gift or
present to those in a superior official position; nor shall any such officials
or clerical superiors receive any gift or present offered or presented to
them as a contribution from persons in Government employ receiving
a less salary than themselves; nor shall any officer or clerk make any
donation as a gift or present to any official superior. Every person who
violates this section shall be summarily discharged from the Govern-
ment employ.

12
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
2. Whoever, being an officer of the United States, or a person acting
for or on behalf of the United States, in any official capacity, under or
by virtue of the authority of any department or office of the Govern-
ment thereof; or whoever, being an officer or person acting for or on
behalf of either House of Congress, or of any committee of either House,
or of both Houses thereof, shall ask, accept, or receive any money, or any
contract, promise, undertaking, obligation, gratuity, or security for the
payment of money, or for the delivery or conveyance of anything of
value, with intent to have his decision or action on any question, mat-
ter, cause, or proceeding which may at any time be pending, or which
may by law be brought before him in his official capacity, or in his
place of trust or profit, influenced thereby, shall be fined not more than
three times the amount of money or value of the thing so asked, accepted,
or received, and imprisoned not more than three years; and shall, more-
over, forfeit his office or place and thereafter be forever disqualified from
holding any office of honor, trust, or profit under the Government of
the United States.
Sec. 169. Employees interested in mail contracts. Whoever, being
a person employed in the postal service, shall become interested in any
contract for carrying the mail, or act as agent, with or without compensa-
tion, for any contractor or person offering to become a contractor in any
business before the department, shall be immediately dismissed from
office, and shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars, or impris-
oned not more than one year, or both.
Sec. 170. Employees forbidden to receive fees from public.--No per-
son employed in the postal service shall receive any fees or perquisites
on account of the duties to be performed by virtue of his appointment.
Sec. 171. Conduct of postal employees.-Employees in
the postal service shall not borrow money or contract debts
which they have no reasonable prospect of being able to
pay, and are expected to pay their just debts, but the
department will not participate in the collection of debts
of employees. They shall not solicit, in person or through
others, contributions of money, gifts, or presents; issue
addresses, complimentary cards, prints, publications, or
any substitute therefor intended or calculated to induce
the public to make them gifts or presents; distribute, offer
for sale, or collect the proceeds of the sale of tickets for
theaters, concerts, balls, fairs, picnics, excursions, or places

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
13
of amusement or entertainments of any kind; issue for
profit souvenirs or postal handbooks, or cooperate with or
assist publishers of souvenirs or postal handbooks to secure
the patronage of the public; compile city directories for
public use or assist publishers to compile the same; nor
request publishers of newspapers or periodicals to send
copies thereof to them free. (See sec. 705.)
Sec. 172. Leaves of absence.—The leave of absence authorized by law
to postal employees shall be construed exclusive of Sundays and holi-
days.
Sec. 280. Care of post offices.-Post offices shall not be
allowed to become resorts for loungers or disorderly per-
sons, or the scene of disputes or controversies. Smoking
may be prohibited in the lobbies. Whenever necessary,
postmasters should call on the civil authorities to preserve
order, and if they refuse to do so, the office may be closed.
2. Post offices shall be kept at all times in a clean and
orderly condition.
Sec. 288. Demeanor toward patrons.-Postmasters and
their subordinates shall treat all the patrons of their offices
with courtesy and consideration.
Sec. 290. Official acting as lottery agent.—Whoever, being a post-
master, or other person employed in the postal service, shall act as agent
for any lottery office, or under color of purchase or otherwise, vend lot-
tery tickets, or shall knowingly send by mail or deliver any letter, pack-
age, postal card, circular, or pamphlet advertising any lottery, gift
enterprise, or similar scheme, offering prizes dependent in whole or in
part upon lot or chance, or any ticket, certificate, or instrument repre-
senting any chance, share, or interest in or dependent upon the event of
any lottery, gift enterprise, or similar scheme offering prizes dependent
in whole or in part upon lot or chance, or any list of the prizes awarded
by means of any such scheme, shall be fined not more than one hundred
dollars, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
Sec. 296. Clerks at post offices of the first and second
classes. The First Assistant Postmaster General may
28676° -142


14
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
allow to postmasters at offices of the first and second classes
such numbers of clerks and other employees as he may
deem necessary for the proper conduct of the business of
their offices, in accordance with the classification pre-
scribed, and within the limit of the appropriation provided
by law.
*
*
*
*
*
Sec. 299. Clerks in first and second class offices shall be divided
into grades.-Clerks in offices of the first and second class *
shall be divided into six grades, as follows: First grade, salary six hun-
dred dollars; second grade, salary eight hundred dollars; third grade,
salary nine hundred dollars; fourth grade, salary one thousand dollars;
fifth grade, salary one thousand one hundred dollars; sixth grade, sal-
ary one thousand two hundred dollars. Clerks * * at first-class
offices shall be promoted successively to the fifth grade, and clerks
* * * at second-class offices shall be promoted successively to the
fourth grade.
2. * * * after June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and thirteen, the
first grade for clerks * * * shall be abolished and (that) appoint-
ments shall be made to the second grade, salary $800, * * *.
3. All promotions of * * * clerks * * * shall be made at the
beginning of the quarter following the expiration of a year's service in
the next lower grade. No promotion shall be made except upon evi-
dence satisfactory to the Post Office Department of the efficiency and
faithfulness of the employee during the preceding year. The Post Office
Department may reduce a clerk * * * from a higher to a lower
grade whenever his efficiency falls below a fair standard or whenever
necessary for purposes of diseipline. When a clerk * * * has been
reduced in salary he may be restored to his former grade or advanced
to any intermediate grade at the beginning of any quarter following the
reduction, on evidence that his record has been satisfactory during the
intervening period. When a clerk * * * fails of promotion because
of unsatisfactory service, he may be promoted at the beginning of the
second quarter thereafter, or of any subsequent quarter, on evidence that
his record has been satisfactory during the intervening period. Clerks
* * * of the highest grade in their respective offices shall be eligible
for promotion to the higher positions in said post offices.
4. Any clerk shall be eligible for transfer to the service of a carrier,
and any carrier shall be eligible for transfer to the service of a clerk,
such transfer to be made to any grade not higher than the correspond-

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
15
ing grade of salary, and the time which such clerk or carrier shall have
served in the grade from which such transfer was made shall be counted
in connection with the service to which such transfer may be made in
computing the time of service necessary to entitle such employees to
promotion: Provided, That no clerk * * * shall be promoted more
than one grade within any one year's period of service. * * *
5. Auxiliary employees may be employed to be paid for actual service
at the rate of thirty cents an hour: Provided, That such employees shall
be required to work not less than two hours daily, and may serve as
substitutes: And provided further, that such employees shall be eligible
for appointment as clerks * * * of the (second) grade.
6. * * * Substitutes shall be eligible for appointment as auxiliary
employees and as clerks * * * of the (second) grade.
7. * * * after June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and thirteen, * * *
substitute post-office clerks employed in first and second class post office
shall be paid at the rate of forty cents an hour when working for a carrier
or clerk absent without pay * * *.
8. Substitute * * * clerks when assigned to perform the work of
regular employees absent on vacations, or when performing auxiliary
or temporary work, shall be paid at the rate of thirty cents an
hour. * * *
Sec. 300. Classified civil service.-
*
*
2. Under civil-service rule 2 all of the employees of post
offices of the first and second classes shall be included in
the classified postal service, but no officer or employee in
any office advanced to these classes or consolidated with
an office of these classes shall be classified under the terms
of this rule who fails to establish to the satisfaction of the
Postmaster General his or her capacity for efficient service
in the position held.
3. Information concerning examinations may be ob-
tained from the local examining boards or the Civil
Service Commission, Washington.
NOTE.--Examinations are held at all post offices in the classified service
by an examining board appointed by the Civil Service Commission, for
the purpose of establishing an eligible register, from which appointments
in the several offices will be made.

*
*

26
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
4. No officer or employee of the Government shall,
directly or indirectly, instruct or be concerned in any
manner in the instruction of any person or classes of per-
sons, with a view to their special preparation for the
examinations of the United States Civil Service Commis-
sion. The fact that any officer or employee is found so
engaged shall be considered sufficient cause for his removal
from the service.
5. The probationary period of six months for persons
appointed in the post-office service shall begin with the
date of appointment as a regular clerk or carrier and not
from the date of appointment as substitute.
Sec. 301. Appointment of clerks in post offices of first
and second classes. The number, grades, and salaries of
clerks and other employees at post offices of the first and
second classes, where allowance for clerk hire is made, will
be fixed by the First Assistant Postmaster General. All
allowances for clerks will continue from year to year unless
otherwise ordered.
2. At post offices embraced in the classified postal serv-
ice under the civil-service act (see sec. 300) appointments
shall be made under the civil-service rules from the eligible
list furnished by the Civil Service Commission.
3. When at any post office in the classified service there
is not a complete list of eligibles, temporary appointments
may be made.
4. Postmasters shall make no appointments to fill vacan-
cies or original appointments of clerks or other employees
who are paid from the clerk-hire allowances made by the
Post Office Department, without first submitting a nomi-
nation to the First Assistant Postmaster General, Division
of Salaries and Allowances, and receiving his approval
thereof.

*
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
17
Sec. 302. Clerks to be subject to postmaster.-All clerks
and employees in post offices shall be subject to the direc-
tion and control of the postmaster.
Sec. 303. Superintendents of mails.-When it is deemed
necessary at any post office of the first class, the Post-
master General will appoint from the classified postal
service a superintendent of mails who shall be selected by
the First Assistant Postmaster General.
2. The superintendent of mails is subject to the direc-
tion of the postmaster at the office where he is employed,
and is charged with the supervision of the distribution
and dispatch of all mails from the post office; the prepa-
ration and correction from time to time of all necessary
schemes or lists for distributions, subject to the approval
of the division superintendent of Railway Mail Service;
the conduct of the case examinations prescribed in sec-
tion 309; the keeping of a record of all errors and irregu-
larities checked by or against each clerk under his charge;
and the examination of all slips returned to the post office
in which errors are noted, comparing the same with the
schemes and orders, making a record thereof, and return-
а
ing them to the respective clerks by whom the distribu-
tion was made, or, in case checks were erroneously made,
to the division superintendent of Railway Mail Service,
in order that proper credit may be given.
Sec. 304. Detail of clerks in post offices.-Postmasters (at offices of
the first and second classes) are authorized, with the approval of the
Postmaster General, to assign at any time any clerk or employee of their
respective post offices to duty in any branch thereof.
Sec. 305. Suspension and fining of clerks.-Postmasters
must not suspend clerks without authority from the First
Assistant Postmaster General, except for a criminal act,
or any act of such a serious nature as to renderan immediate

18
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
suspension from duty imperative. Such suspension must
be immediately reported to the First Assistant Postmaster
General for approval.
2. In cases where removal or reduction would not be
warranted, but where disciplinary action is necessary, the
postmasters should recommend that the offending clerks
be demerited as provided for in the rules governing effi-
ciency records.
See sec. 29, as to reductions and removals.
Sec. 306. Leaves of absence for clerks.-* * * Clerks and em-
ployees attached to first and second class post offices * * * (shall) be
allowed leaves of absence, with full pay, for not exceeding fifteen days in
any one fiscal year: Provided, That no clerk or employee be granted a
leave * * * until he has performed service for one year.
See sec. 172, as to excluding Sundays and holidays.
2. Postmasters shall require the clerks at their offices
to take their leaves at such times, and in such order, as
will least interfere with the service, and the business of
the office shall be so arranged that it can be carried on
during the absence of the clerks on leave without the
employment of temporary clerks.
3. Where leaves can not, however, be granted without
serious embarrassment to the service, authority may be
obtained from the First Assistant Postmaster General to
employ substitutes at the rate of 30 cents an hour out of
the appropriation for vacation service.
4. Postmasters may, in addition to the leave of ab-
sence with pay provided by law, grant leave of absence
without pay to clerks, such leave not to exceed 30 days in
any one calendar year. Applications for leave of absence
to cover a longer period in cases of illness, or disability
received in the service, must be submitted by the post-
master to the First Assistant Postmaster General with a
full statement of the facts, but leave of absence for more

POST OFFIČE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
19
than 150 days in one calendar year will not be granted in
any such case. Clerks who desire to be absent for longer
periods will be dropped from the rolls without prejudice.
Sec. 307. Employment and payment of substitute when clerk is
absent on other than annual leave.-When any clerk in post offices of
the first or second class, or in the Railway Mail Service, or any letter
carrier in the City Free Delivery Service, is absent from duty from any
cause other than the fifteen days' annual leave with pay allowed by law,
the Postmaster General, under such regulations as he may prescribe,
may authorize the employment of a substitute for such work, and pay-
ment therefor from the lapsed salary of such absent clerk or letter carrier
at a rate not to exceed the pay of the grade of work performed by such
substitute.
Sec. 309. Examination of distributing clerks.-Post-
masters at offices of the first and second classes shall require
distributing clerks to be examined from time to time on
schemes of such States as are to be distributed at their
offices. Such examinations shall be conducted by the
superintendent of mails at offices having such an officer
and at other offices by chief clerks of the Railway Mail
Service. A record shall be kept of the number of errors
made. Clerks should also be frequently questioned as to
the proper routes on which mails are dispatched from
their offices, and as to the orders given them for making
up the mail. Incompetent distributing clerks will not be
retained in the service.
Sec. 310. Clerks serving on civil-service boards.--The
appointment of clerks in post offices as secretaries or as
members of boards of civil-service examiners shall not
affect their relations to the Post Office Department.
They shall continue subordinate to the postmaster, and
shall not absent themselves from their duties as post-office
clerks to attend meetings of the board or to transact the
business of the Civil Service Commission without special
authority from him.
20
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
2. Clerks who are members of boards of civil-service
examiners are, in the performance of their duties as such,
under the direction of the Civil Service Commission.
They shall, however, render faithful and efficient service
as post-office clerks, and shall not neglect their duties
under the pretext of performing service for the Civil
Service Commission.
3. Postmasters shall allow clerks who are members of
the local board of civil-service examiners ample time to
attend to their duties as members of such boards during
the regular office hours, upon proper notice and applica-
tion, and shall in every way facilitate the work of the
Civil Service Commission.
Sec. 311. Clerks in post offices.-* * Clerks in first and second
class post offices shall be required to work not more than eight hours a
day: Provided, That the eight hours of service shall not extend over a
longer period than ten consecutive hours, and the schedules of duty of
the employees shall be regulated accordingly.
2. In cases of emergency, or if the needs of the service require, * *
clerks in first and second class post offices can be required to work in
excess of eight hours a day, and for such additional services they shall
be paid extra in proportion to their salaries as fixed by law.
3. Should the needs of the service require the employment on Sunday
of * * * clerks in first and second class post offices, the employees
who are required and ordered to perform Sunday work shall be allowed
compensatory time on one of the six days following the Sunday on which
they perform such service.
4. The time recorder shall be used by clerks, carriers,
and all other employees, excepting assistant postmasters,
cashiers, superintendents of delivery, superintendents of
mails, superintendents of money order, and superintend-
ents of registry, in reporting for duty, on leaving for and
returning from trips or meals, and at the close of the day's
work. The record taken from the time recorder shall
constitute the official time record, and all other methods
of time keeping (except carriers' trip reports) shall be
discontinued.


POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
21
Sec. 316. Bonds of clerks in post offices.-Assistant postmasters and
cashiers at first, second, and third class post offices, and when deemed
necessary by the Postmaster General for the better protection of the
interests of the Government any other employees in such offices, shall,
before entering upon the duties of their office, give bond to the United
States with good and approved security, and in such penalty as the Post-
master General shall prescribe, conditioned for the faithful discharge of
all duties and trusts imposed upon them either by law or the rules and
regulations of the Post Office Department.
Sec. 318. Clerks in post offices required to give bond.-
All employees of first and second class post offices who
handle money, stamps, or valuable packages, and assistant
postmasters at first, second, and third class offices shall
furnish bonds executed to the United States in accordance
with the forms prescribed by the department.
NOTE.-The postmaster at an office of the third class, if he so desires,
may require his clerks to furnish bonds executed in his favor.
2. The bonds given to the United States by clerks and
employees in post offices under their roster designation
shall apply to and cover the faithful discharge of all duties
and trusts imposed upon them, and the due accounting
of all moneys which may come into their possession while
performing the duties of any other clerk or employee, or
of any position under any other roster designation or classi-
fication whatever.
3. The amount of bond in each instance shall be fixed
by the Post Office Department, upon the advice of the
postmaster, according to a schedule printed in the annual
Postal Guide.
4. It is preferred that bonds furnished by one of the
surety companies authorized to act as sureties on official
bonds be given. (See sec. 79.)
5. Postmasters may represent the employees of their
offices in negotiating premium rates with surety compa-
nies, but shall not solicit or accept commissions from such


22
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
companies, nor seek to compel their clerks to do business
with any particular company.
6. The premium on bonds shall be paid by the employees
furnishing them. Postmasters shall report to the First
Assistant Postmaster General, Division of Salaries and
Allowances, the failure of any employee to pay the pre-
mium on his bond within 15 days after it is due.
*
*
*
*
*
Sec. 319. Oaths.-Assistant postmasters, clerks, and em-
ployees in post offices, before entering upon the discharge
of their duties, shall take the oath of office upon the form
furnished by the Post Office Department (see sec. 153),
and postmasters shall retain such oaths on the files of their
respective offices.
Sec. 326. Supplies for post offices.-
*
*
*
*
*
*
3. Supplies shall be kept carefully and used only for
official purposes.
4. Wrapping paper and twine shall be reused when
possible.
Sec. 331. Postage stamps and stamped envelopes.--
*
4. Postmasters and post-office employees who sell post-
age stamps shall hand them to purchasers in such manner
that the gummed surface will not come in contact with the
base of the stamp window. This precaution is considered
necessary to prevent the spread of disease.
5. Postmasters, or clerks acting for them, shall sign re-
ceipts for money paid them for postage stamps and other
stamped paper, provided the receipts are prepared in
advance by the purchasers and presented at the time of
purchase.
NOTE.-The term "stamped paper” applies to adhesive stamps of all
kinds, and postal cards, as well as to stamped envelopes.

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
23
Sec. 332. Unlawful pledging or sale of stamps.-Whoever, being a
postmaster or other person employed in any branch of the postal service,
and being intrusted with the sale or custody of postage stamps, stamped
envelopes, or postal cards, shall use or dispose of them in payment of
debts, or in the purchase of merchandise or other salable articles, or
pledge or hypothecate the same, or sell or dispose of them except for
cash; or sell or dispose of postage stamps or postal cards for any larger
or less sum than the values indicated on their faces; or sell or dispose of
stamped envelopes for a larger or less sum than is charged therefor by the
Post Office Department for like quantities; or sell or dispose of, or cause
to be sold or disposed of, postage stamps, stamped envelopes, or postal
cards at any point or place outside of the delivery of the office where such
postmaster or other person is employed; or induce or attempt to induce,
for the purpose of increasing the emoluments or compensation of such
postmaster, or the emoluments or compensation of any other person
employed in such post-office or any station thereof, or the allowances or
facilities provided therefor, any person to purchase at such post office
or any station thereof, or from any employee of such post office, postage
stamps, stamped envelopes, or postal cards; or sell or dispose of postage
stamps, stamped envelopes, or postal cards, otherwise than as provided
by law or the regulations of the Post Office Department, shall be fined
not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned not more than one
year, or both.
2. When the price of envelopes or wrappers sold includes
a fraction of a cent, postmasters shall require payment of
the entire cent.
Sec. 333. Foreign or mutilated coins or currency.-Post-
masters should not accept foreign money, as it is not legal
tender in the United States, or perforated, mutilated, or
abraded coins, or mutilated paper currency, except frac-
tional silver coins worn by abrasion, which should be
received so long as the superscription thereon can be dis-
tinguished.
2. The "trade dollar'' is not legal tender and should not
be accepted, as it will not be received by the Treasury as
a deposit.
3. Minor coins--5, 3, and 1 cent piecesare legal tender
to the amount of 25 cents, and fractional silver up to $10.



24
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
4. Where counterfeit money is accepted the postmaster
must bear the loss thereon.
5. Postmasters should provide themselves with a suffi-
cient amount of minor coins and bills of small denomina-
tion to enable them to make change for purchases of
stamped paper. When a postmaster is unable to make
change the purchaser must tender the exact amount of his
purchase. (See sec. 1124.)
Sec.344. Redemption of stamped paper.-Postage stamps
or special-delivery stamps, whether affixed to envelopes or
not, shall not be redeemed from the public, nor exchanged
for other postage stamps, stamped envelopes, newspaper
wrappers, or postal cards, except as provided in para-
graph 7. Stamps removed from embossed stamped envel-
opes, newspaper wrappers, or postal cards shall not be
redeemed nor accepted in payment of postage.
*
*
*
*
*
7. When, through inadvertence, a postmaster sells dam-
aged or unserviceable postage stamps, international reply
coupons, stamped envelopes, newspaper wrappers, or
postal cards, or when a patron through error purchases post-
age stamps of the wrong denomination, or stamped envel-
opes of the wrong color, quality, size, or denomination, or
newspaper wrappers of the wrong denomination, or postal
cards of the wrong size, postmasters may exchange such
stamped paper at full value, provided that it is presented
for exchange by the original purchaser thereof within a
reasonable time after the sale, not to exceed two business
days. Errors made by purchasers in ordering special-
request envelopes shall be adjusted by redemption at
postage value only, in accordance with section 341.

*
*
*
*
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
25
Sec. 393. Classification of mail matter.-Mailable matter shall be
divided into four classes:
First, Written matter;
Second, Periodical publications;
Third, Miscellaneous printed matter;
Fourth, Merchandise.
Sec. 395. Domestic rates and conditions. The domestic
rates of postage and conditions apply to mail addressed for
local delivery, or for transmission from one place to another
within the United States, or to or from or between the
possessions of the United States, and to that for trans-
mission to or from the United States or its possessions and
officers or members of crews of United States naval vessels,
and to or from the United States postal agency at Shanghai,
China, and to officers and men of the United States Navy
in the United States Naval Hospital at Yokohama, Japan.
The term “United States and its possessions includes
Porto Rico, Hawaii, the Philippine Islands, Guam, Tu-
tuila, and Manua Islands of the Samoan group, and the
Canal Zone.
NOTE.—The islands in the Bay of Panama named Perico, Naos,
Culebra, and Flamenco are included in the term “Canal Zone."
Sec. 396. Prepayment of postage.-Postage on all mail matter must
be prepaid by stamps at the time of mailing, unless herein otherwise
provided for
Sec. 397. Deficiency in postage.—* * * If any mail matter, on
which by law the postage is required to be prepaid at the mailing office,
shall by inadvertence reach its destination without any prepayment,
double the prepaid rates shall be charged and collected on delivery.
Sec. 398. First-class matter.-Mailable matter of the first class shall
embrace letters, postal cards, and all matter wholly or partly in writing,
except as hereinafter provided.
For the exceptions see secs. 441, 447, 451, 453, and 458.
2. All matter sealed or otherwise closed against inspec-
tion shall be treated as first-class matter. (See sec. 469.)
Sec. 399. Rate of postage on first-class matter.-Upon all matter
of the first class * * * postage shall be charged *
* * at the rate
285760-14-3

26
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
of two cents for each ounce or fraction thereof; and drop letters shall be
mailed at the rate of two cents per ounce or fraction thereof, including
delivery at letter-carrier offices, and one cent for each ounce or fraction
thereof where free delivery by carrier is not established.
2. Postage on letters deposited in rural or star route
boxes, or mailed to persons who are served by rural or
star route carrier, shall be charged at the rate of 2 cents
for each ounce or fraction thereof.
NOTE.--A drop letter is one addressed for delivery at the office at
which it is posted. There is no drop rate on any matter except letters.
Sec. 400. Rate of postage on postal cards.-Postal cards shall be
transmitted through the mails at a postage charge of one cent each,
including the cost of manufacture.
401. Postal cards.-Postal cards issued by the
Post Office Department may bear written, printed, or
other additions as follows:
(a) The face of the card may be divided by a vertical
line placed approximately one-third of the distance from
the left end of the card; the space to the left of the line
to be used for a message, etc., but the space to the right
for the address only.
(6) Addresses upon potsal cards * * * may be either written,
b*
printed, or affixed thereto, at the option of the sender.
(c) Very thin sheets of paper may be attached to the
card on condition that they completely adhere thereto.
(d) Advertisements, illustrations, or writing may appear
on the back of the card and on the left third of the face,
2. The addition to a postal card of matter other than
as above authorized destroys its privilege as a postal card
and subjects it to postage according to the character of
the message at the letter rate if wholly or partly in
writing, or the third-class rate if entirely in print-but
does not impair the postage value of the stamp impressed
on the card.

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
27
*
*
*
*
Sec. 402. Private mailing cards ("post cards”) authorized.-It
shall be lawful to transmit by mail, at the postage rate of a cent apiece,
payable by stamps to be affixed by the sender, and under such regula-
tions as the Postmaster General may prescribe, written messages on
private mailing cards, such cards to be sent openly in the mails, to be
no larger than the size fixed by the Convention of the Universal Postal
Union, and to be approximately of the same form, quality, and weight
as the stamped postal card now in general use in the United States
(See sec. 403, P. L. & R., for regulations.)
Sec. 405. Insufficiently prepaid first-class matter. All mail matter
of the first class upon which one full rate of postage has been prepaid
shall be forwarded to its destination, charged with the unpaid rate, to
be collected on delivery; * * *
Sec. 406. Soldiers', sailors', and marines' letters.-
*
2. Letters sent by soldiers, sailors, and marines in the
United States service, located in the United States or any
of its possessions, addressed to places in the United States
or any of its possessions, when indorsed “Soldier's letter,"
"Sailor's letter," or "Marine's letter,” and signed there-
under, either with facsimile hand stamp or in writing, with
his official designation, by a field or staff officer, post or
detachment commander, to whose command the soldier
belongs, or by a surgeon or chaplain at a hospital where
he may be; and in the Navy and Marine service by any
commissioned officer attached to the vessel, or officer
commanding a hospital or detachment ashore, may be
dispatched to destination without prepayment of postage,
and only the single rate of postage shall be collected on
delivery.
Sec. 408. Rating of postage on ship letters.-Ship letters
shall be charged double rate of postage, to be collected at
the office of delivery; but on any such letter which has
been prepaid by United States stamps at such double rate
no additional charge shall be made.


*
*
*
28
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
Sec. 409. Weather Bureau reports.-Weather Bureau re-
ports shall be treated as letter mail, whether sent by offi-
cers of the service under penalty envelopes or by private
persons and prepaid by stamps.
Sec. 410. Mutilated coin and paper currency.-Mutila-
ted coin and paper currency belonging to individuals shall
not be transmitted to the Treasurer of the United States
for redemption except as mail matter of the first class,
upon which the regular postage shall be prepaid.
Sec. 411. Second-class matter.-Mailable matter of the second class
shall embrace all newspapers and other periodical publications which
are issued at stated intervals, and as frequently as four times a year and
are within the conditions named in section twelve and fourteen.
Sec. 429. Postage on second-class matter.-All publications of the
second class, except as provided in section twenty-five of said act (of Mar.
3, 1879, ch. 180; 20 Stat., 361), when sent by the publisher thereof, and
from the office of publication, including sample copies, or when sent
from a news agency to actual subscribers thereto or to other news agents,
shall * * * be entitled to transmission through the mails at one cent
a pound or a fraction thereof, such postage to be prepaid as now provided
by law.
2. The rates of postage prescribed in the preceding para-
graph are applicable to second-class matter mailed by
publishers for delivery in Mexico, Cuba, and Panama, and
to daily newspapers, issued as frequently as six times a
week, addressed to bona fide subscribers in Canada. The
rate of postage on second-class matter other than such daily
newspapers addressed for delivery in Canada shall be 1
cent for each 4 ounces or fraction of 4 ounces, calculated
on the weight of each package and prepaid by postage
stamps affixed, and copies of such publications addressed
for delivery from the same post office may be placed in
one package, addressed to such post office, and postage
paid thereon by affixing the stamps to the outside wrapper.

POST OFFICE ČLERKS AND CARRIERS.
29
*
Sec. 432. Collection of postage on matter of 2d class.-
*
*
*
2. The postage on all second-class matter mailed at the
rate of 1 cent a pound shall be collected in money before
the matter is dispatched.

*
*
Sec. 433. Free county matter and rates on second-class matter at
letter-carrier offices.- Publications of the second class, one copy to each
actual subscriber residing in the county where the same are printed, in
whole or in part, and published, shall go free through the mails; but
the same shall not be delivered at letter-carrier offices or distributed by
carriers unless postage is paid thereon at the rate prescribed in section
thirteen of this act (the cent-a-pound rate): Provided, That the rate of
postage on newspapers, excepting weeklies, and periodicals not exceeding
two ounces in weight, when the same are deposited in a letter-carrier
office for delivery by its carriers, shall be uniform at one cent each; peri-
odicals weighing more than two ounces shall be subject, when delivered
by such carriers, to a postage of two cents each, and these rates shall be
prepaid by stamps affixed.

*
Sec. 434. Regulations respecting free county matter.-
All copies of a publication entitled to free county circu-
lation shall be presented for mailing separately from those
on which postage is to be paid, and when not so presented
postage shall be charged on the whole at the cent-a-pound
rate. Free county matter shall be weighed and recorded
in the post-office records separately from that which is
mailed at the rate of 1 cent a pound.
2. Atcity-delivery post offices second-class matter should
be made up separately at the office of publication--that for
delivery by letter carriers, subject to the special rates
prescribed in section 433, being put in one package or
bundle, and each copy of the paper or periodical therein
properly stamped; and that intended for delivery through
the boxes of the post office by itself. If the separation is
30
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
*
not made at the office of publication each paper or period-
ical not properly stamped shall be placed in the boxes or in
the general delivery for delivery therefrom.
Sec. 435. Rate on transient publications. The rate of postage on
newspaper and periodical publications of the second class, when sent by
others than the publisher or news agent, shall be one cent for each four
ounces or fractional part thereof, and shall be fully prepaid by postage
stamps affixed to said matter.
*
Sec. 441. Permissible writing, printing, or additions on second-
class matter.-Mailable matter of the second class shall contain no
writing, print, or sign thereon or therein in addition to the original print,
except as herein provided, to wit: The name and address of the person
to whom the matter shall be sent, index figures of subscription book
either printed or written, the printed title of the publication and the
place of its publication, the printed or written name and address with-
out addition of advertisement of the publisher or sender, or both, and
written or printed words or figures, or both, indicating the date on which
the subscription to such matter will end, the correction of any typo-
graphical error, a mark, except by written or printed words, to designate
a word or passage to which it is desired to call attention; the words
"sample copy” when the matter is sent as such, the words "marked
copy” when the matter contains a marked item or article. And pub-
lishers or news agents may inclose in their publications bills, receipts,
and orders for subscriptions thereto, but the same shall be in such form
as to convey no other information than the name, place of publication,
subscription price of the publication to which they refer, and the sub-
scription due thereon.
*
Sec. 447. Third-class matter.--Mail matter of the third class shall
embrace books, * * * circulars, and other matter wholly in print
(not included in sec. 12), proof sheets, corrected proof sheets, and manu-
script copy accompanying the same, and postage shall be paid at the
rate of one cent for each two ounces or fractional part thereof, and shall
fully be prepaid by postage stamps affixed to said matter.
Sec. 451. Letters for the blind.-All letters written in point print or
raised characters used by the blind, when unsealed, shall be transmitted
through the mails as third-class matter. * * *

POST OFFIČE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
31
Sec. 453. Permissible additions on third-class matter.
*
3. It is permissible to place on third-class matter, or
on a card inclosed therewith, a written designation of
contents, a serial number, and such simple inscriptions
as "Merry Christmas," "Happy New Year,” “Dear Sir,
“My Dear Friend," "Sincerely yours,"? “With best
wishes.'
9
*
*
*
*
7. The words "Please send out,” or “Post up, or
other similar directions or requests not part of the ad-
dress nor necessary to delivery, written on the wrapper
of a package of third-class matter, subject it to postage
at the first-class rate. (See sec. 399.)
Sec. 454. Fourth-class mail matter defined. Fourth-class mail
matter shall embrace all other matter, including farm and factory prod-
ucts (and, on and after March 16, 1914, books), not now embraced by
law in either the first (or) second class, or, (with the exception of books,
in the) third class, not exceeding (fifty) pounds in weight when mailed
for delivery within the first and second zones, nor exceeding twenty
pounds in weight when for delivery in any of the other zones), nor greater
in size than seventy-two inches in length and girth combined, nor in
form or kind likely to injure the person of any postal employee or damage
the mail equipment or other mail matter and not of a character perisha-
ble within a period reasonably required for transportation and delivery.
NOTE.-See current issue of Postal Guide for table of postage rates on
parcels.
*
Sec. 462. Limit of weight of mail matter.-(a) (The limit of weight
of mail matter) is hereby declared to be not exceeding four pounds for
each package thereof, except in case of single books weighing in excess of
that amount; (fourth-class mail matter * * * not exceeding fifty
pounds in weight when mailed for delivery within the first and second
zones, and not exceeding twenty pounds in weight when for delivery
within any of the other zones), and except for books and documents
published or circulated by order of Congress, or printed or written official
matter emanating from any of the departments of the Government or
32
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
from the Smithsonian Institution, or which is not declared nonmailable
under the provisions of section thirty-eight hundred and ninety-three of
the Revised Statutes as amended by the act of July twelfth, eighteen
hundred and seventy-six, or matter appertaining to lotteries, gift con-
certs, or fraudulent schemes or devices. (See secs. 479 to 482.)
(6) Books, pamphlets, and other reading matter in raised characters
for the use of the blind, whether prepared by hand or printed, in single
volumes not exceeding ten pounds in weight, * * * shall be trans-
mitted in the United States mails.
2. Postmasters shall decline to accept for mailing
packages offered to them weighing in excess of the limit
provided by law, whether such packages are presented
as free matter by officers of the Government, under the
penalty label, or under prepaid postage, except as pro-
vided herein and in the following section.
Sec. 463. Matter to which limit of weight is inappli-
cable.-Mail matter of the first class addressed for delivery
in foreign countries other than Canada, Mexico, Cuba,
the Republic of Panama, the United States postal agency
at Shanghai, China, and the United States Naval Hospital
at Yokohama, Japan (to which domestic regulations
apply), and mail matter of the second class prepaid at
either the regular or transient rate addressed to points in
the United States and in countries to which the domestic
regulations apply, shall be accepted for mailing regardless
of the weight thereof.
2. Books and documents published or circulated by
order of Congress, without regard to their weight and
whether wrapped separately or not, shall be accepted for
mailing at any post office.
3. Printed or written official matter weighing in excess
of 4 pounds, emanating from any of the departments of
the Government or the Smithsonian Institution, shall be
accepted for mailing at the post office at Washington,
D. C., but not elsewhere.



POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
33
4. Official matter partaking of the characteristics of
fourth-class mail (see sec. 454), weighing not in excess of
the limit of weight prescribed for fourth-class matter in
section 462, when presented under a penalty envelope or
label, shall be accepted for mailing at any post office.
5. All official matter relating to the Postal Service, in-
cluding that pertaining to the Postal Savings System,
may be sent in the mails from any post office without
regard to weight, except as otherwise provided by special
instructions.
6. Packages of postage stamps, stamped envelopes,
newspaper wrappers, postal cards, . internal-revenue
stamps, and copyright matter in its simplest mailable
form addressed to the Register of Copyrights, Washington,
D. C., shall be accepted at any post office, regardless of
the weight thereof. (See secs. 499 and 505.)
7. The limit of weight for miscellaneous printed matter
constituting third-class mail, the rate of postage on which
is one cent for each two ounces or fraction thereof, is four
pounds. Parcels of miscellaneous printed matter weigh-
ing more than four pounds, but which are within the limit
of weight and size for matter of the fourth class, come
within that class and are mailable at the pound rates of
postage prescribed for fourth-class matter in section 456.
Sec. 464. Fourth-class matter-Limit of size.-If a par-
cel of fourth-class matter is greater in size than 72 inches
in length and girth combined, it shall not be accepted
for mailing, no matter how small the excess may be. (See
par. 1, sec. 454.)
2. In measuring a parcel the greatest distance in a
straight line between its ends, but not around the parcel
lengthwise, shall be taken as the length, while the dis-
tance around it at its thickest part shall be taken as the
34
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
girth. For example, a parcel 10 inches wide, 5 inches
high, and 35 inches long has a girth of 30 inches, its length
and girth combined being 65 inches.
Sec. 472. Poisons, explosives, etc., not mailable.--All kinds of
poison, and all articles and compositions containing poison, and all poi-
sonous animals, insects, and reptiles, and explosives of all kinds, and
inflammable materials, and infernal machines, and mechanical, chem-
ical, or other devices or compositions which may ignite or explode, and
all disease germs or scabs, and all other natural or artificial articles, com-
positions, or materials of whatever kind which may kill, or in any wise
hurt, harm, or injure another, or damage, deface, or otherwise injure the
mails or other property, whether sealed as first-class matter or not, are
hereby declared to be nonmailable matter, and shall not be conveyed
in the mails or delivered from any post office or station thereof, nor by
any letter carrier; but the Postmaster General may permit the trans-
mission in the mails, under such rules and regulations as he shall pre-
scribe as to preparation and packing, of any articles hereinbefore de-
scribed which are not outwardly or of their own force dangerous or
injurious to life, health, or property: Provided, That all spirituous,
vinous, malted, fermented, or other intoxicating liquors of any kind are
hereby declared to be nonmailable and shall not be deposited in or car-
ried through the mails. * * *

*
*
*
Sec. 479. Unmailable matter.- Unmailable matter in-
cludes all matter which is by law, regulation, or treaty
stipulation prohibited from being transmitted in the mails,
or which by reason of illegible, incorrect, or insufficient
address it is found impossible to forward to destination,
Unmailable matter is classified as follows:
(a) Matter which is insufficiently prepaid to entitle it
to be dispatched in the mail.
(6) Matter without address or so incorrectly, insuffi-
ciently, or illegibly addressed that it can not be trans-
mitted to its destination.
(c) Matter which from its harmful nature is forbidden
to be in the mails. (See secs. 472 to 474.)
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
35
(d) Matter so damaged in transit that it can not be
forwarded to its destination, matter of value found loose
in the mails without address so that the destination can
not be known, and all matter recovered after depreda-
tions in the mails, which shall be forwarded to the depart-
ment for disposition.
(e) Packages exceeding the limit of weight or size
allowed. (See secs. 462 and 463.)
.
(f) Obscene matter. (See sec. 480.)
(9) Libelous and indecent matter. (See sec. 481.)
(h) Lottery matter. (See sec. 482.)
(*) Fraudulent matter. (See sec. 484.)
( ) Publications which violate copyrights granted by
the United States.
Sec. 480. Obscene matter unmailable.-Every obscene, lewd, or
lascivious, and every filthy book, pamphlet, picture, paper, letter, writ-
ing, print, or other publication of an indecent character, and every article
or thing designed, adapted, or intended for preventing conception or pro-
ducing abortion, or for any indecent or immoral use; and every article,
instrument. substance, drug, medicine, or thing which is advertised or
described in a manner calculated to lead another to use or apply it for
preventing conception or producing abortion, or for any indecent or
immoral purpose; and every written or printed card, letter, circular,
book, pamphlet, advertisement, or notice of any kind giving information,
directly or indirectly, where, or how, or from whom, or by what means
any of the hereinbefore-mentioned matters, articles, or things may be
obtained or made, or where or by whom any act or operation of any kind
for the procuring or producing of abortion will be done or performed, or
how or by what means conception may be prevented or abortion pro-
duced, whether sealed or unsealed; and every letter, packet, or package,
or other mail matter containing any filthy, vile, or indecent thing,
device, or substance; and every paper, writing, advertisement, or repre-
sentation that any article, instrument, substance, drug, medicine, or
thing may, or can be, used or applied for preventing conception or pro-
ducing abortion, or for any indecent or immoral purpose; and every
description calculated to induce or incite a person to so use or apply any
such article, instrument, substance, drug, medicine, or thing, is hereby
declared to be nonmailable matter and shall not be conveyed in the
mails or delivered from any post office or by any letter carrier. ***



36
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
And the term “indecent" within the intendment of this section shall
include matter of a character tending to incite arson, murder, or assassi-
nation.
*
Sec. 482. Lottery, gift enterprise, etc., circulars not mailable.-
No letter, package, postal card, or circular concerning any lottery, gift
enterprise, or similar scheme offering prizes dependent in whole or in
part upon lot or chance; and no lottery ticket or part thereof, or paper
certificate, or instrument purporting to be or to represent a ticket, chance,
share, or interest in or dependent upon the event of a lottery, gift enter-
prise, or similar scheme offering prizes dependent in whole or in part
upon lot or chance; and no check, draft, bill, money, postal note, or
money order, for the purchase of any ticket or part thereof, or of any
share or chance in any such lottery, gift enterprise, or scheme; and no
newspaper, circular, pamphlet, or publication of any kind containing
any advertisement of any lottery, gift enterprise, or scheme of any kind
offering prizes dependent in whole or in part upon lot or chance, or
containing any list of prizes drawn or awarded by means of any such
lottery, gift enterprise, or scheme, whether said list contains any part
or all of such prizes, shall be deposited in or carried by the mails of the
United States, or be delivered by any postmaster or letter carrier.
Whoever shall knowingly deposit or cause to be deposited, or shall
xnowingly send or cause to be sent, anything to be conveyed or delivered
by mail in violation of the provisions of this section, or shall knowingly
deliver or cause to be delivered by mail anything herein forbidden to
be carried by mail, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars,
or imprisoned not more than two years, or both; and for any subsequent
offense shall be imprisoned not more than five years. Any person
violating any provision of this section may be tried and punished either
in the district in which the unlawful matter or publication was mailed,
or to which it was carried by mail for delivery according to the direction
thereon, or in which it was caused to be delivered by mail to the person
to whom it was addressed.
Sec. 488. Insurance of fourth-class mail.-
*
*
*
2. Fourth-class mail shall not be registered, but may
be insured against loss in an amount equivalent to its
actual value, but not to exceed $25 in any one case, on
payment of a fee of 5 cents, or not to exceed $50 on pay-
ment of a fee of 10 cents, in addition to the postage, both
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
37
to be prepaid by stamps affixed; but indemnity will not
be allowed in cases of loss of such mail addressed to the
Philippine Islands or the Canal Zone, unless the loss
occurred in the postal service of the United States.
3. No article of any class bearing the word “Insured”
on the outside envelope or wrapper, or on a tag or label
attached thereto, shall be accepted for mailing, except
insured parcel-post mail.
When a parcel is insured, the sender shall be given a
receipt showing the office, date of mailing, number of
package, and amount of the insurance fee paid. The
coupon retained at the mailing office shall also show the
amount of the insurance fee paid. The parcels should be
nnmbered consecutively, the numbering to commence
anew on July 1 or other authorized times. The number
on the receipt shall correspond with that on the parcel,
and the latter shall be marked or stamped "Insured”
and an insurance tag securely attached. The package
shall then be treated as ordinary mail until it reaches the
office of address.
5. Delivery of insured fourth-class mail shall be made
in accordance with the regulations governing the delivery
of registered mail. (See sec. 935.)
*
*
*
*
*
*
Sec. 489. Collection of price and charges from ad-
dressee.- The sender of a mailable parcel of fourth-class
matter on which the postage is fully prepaid may have the
price of the article and the charges thereon collected from
the addressee on payment of a fee of 10 cents in postage
stamps affixed, provided the amount to be collected does
not exceed $100. Such a parcel will be insured against
loss, without additional charge, in an amount equivalent
to its actual value, but not to exceed $50.
28676° -14
38
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
2. The sender of a collect-on-delivery (C. O. D.) parcel
shall be given a receipt showing the office and date of
mailing, the number of the parcel, and the amount due
him.
3. C. 0. D. parcels shall be accepted for mailing only
at a money-order office and when addressed to a money-
order office. Money-order offices are designated in the
parcel-post guide by an asterisk (*) or a dagger(t). The
postmaster at the mailing office will be held responsible
for the postage required for the return of a parcel addressed
to a nonmoney-order office.
*
5. The C. 0. D. tag shall show the amount due the
sender, the money-order fee necessary to make the remit-
tance, and the total amount to be collected. It shall be
securely attached to the parcel, which shall be numbered
to correspond with the tag, stamped C. 0. D., and the
charges to be collected plainly written thereon. The
parcel shall be treated as ordinary mail until it reaches
the office of address, where, on payment of all charges,
it shall be delivered to the addressee, or, unless otherwise
directed by the addressee, to the person, firm, or corpo-
ration in whose care it is addressed, or to any responsible
person to whom the addressee's ordinary mail is cus-
tomarily delivered. A receipt for the parcel shall be
obtained on the tag attached thereto. (See par. 4, sec.
488.)
6. When a C. 0. D. parcel is received without the tag
attached, the charges shown on the parcel shall be col-
lected and the prescribed receipt obtained from the
addressee.
7. An employee shall receipt for the total number of
parcels given him for delivery. This receipt shall be sur-
.
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
39
rendered to him either on the return of the parcels or the
receipted tags and the total amount to be collected.
8. The receipted tag shall be considered as the ad-
dressee's application for a money order for the amount
due the sender. A money order shall then be issued,
stamped C. O. D., and mailed to the sender in a penalty
envelope by the postmaster, who shall enter on the tag
the number of the money order, the amount and date of
issue, and file it with other money-order applications.
No return receipt shall be furnished the sender, as the
money order serves that purpose.
9. The addressee shall not be permitted to examine
the contents of a C. O. D. parcel until it has been receipted
for and all charges paid. A parcel may be refused when
it is tendered for delivery, but after delivery has been
effected it can not be returned on account of dissatisfac-
tion with the contents or the amount collected.
10. A parcel may be forwarded, in accordance with
section 595, without the payment of an additional C. O. D.
fee. When so forwarded, a duplicate receipt tag shall be
filed showing the office to which it is forwarded.
*
*
*
*
Sec. 490. Congressional documents. The Vice President, Sena
tors, Representatives, and Delegates in Congress, the Secretary of the
Senate, and Clerk of the House of Representatives may send and receive
through the mail(free) all public documents printed by order of Con-
gress; and the name of the Vice President, Senator, Representative,
Delegate, Secretary of the Senate, and Clerk of the House shall be writ-
ten thereon, with the proper designation of the office he holds; and the
provisions of this section shall apply to each of the persons named
therein until the first day of December following the expiration of their
respective terms of office.
2. Resident Commissioners to the United States (elected by the
Philippine Legislature) shall * * * be allowed * * * the frank-
ing privilege now enjoyed by Members of the House of Representatives.
40
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
Sec. 491. Congressional Record.-The Congressional Record, or
any part thereof, or speeches or reports therein contained, shall, under
the frank of a Member of Congress, or Delegate, to be written by himself,
be carried in the mail free of postage, under such regulations as the
Postmaster General may prescribe.
2. Seeds transmitted by the Commissioner (Secretary) of Agricul-
ture, or by any Member of Congress or Delegate receiving seeds for
distribution from said department, together with agricultural reports
emanating from that department, and so transmitted, shall, under such
regulations as the Postmaster General shall prescribe, pass through the
mails free of charge. And the provisions of this section shall apply to
ex-Members of Congress and ex-Delegates for the period of nine months
after the expiration of their terms as Members and Delegates.
Sec. 492. Official correspondence by Members of Congress. The
Vice President, Members and Members-elect of and Delegates and
Delegates-elect to Congress shall have the privilege of sending free
through the mails, and under their frank, any mail matter to any Govern-
ment official or to any person, correspondence, not exceeding four ounces
in weight, upon official or departmental business (until the first day of
December following the expiration of their respective terms of office).
*
*
Sec. 493. Special grants of franking privilege.--All mail matter
carried by post to Lucretia R. Garfield, widow of the late James A.
Garfield, or sent by her, under her written autograph signature, will be
conveyed free of postage during her natural life.
2. All mail matter sent by the post by Frances F. Cleveland, widow
of the late Grover Cleveland, under her written autograph signature,
and by Mary Lord Harrison, widow of the late Benjamin Harrison,
under her written autograph signature, will be conveyed free of postage
during the natural life of each respectively.
Sec. 494. Use of franking privilege.--No matter shall be
admitted to the mails under an authorized frank unless
admissible as ordinary mail matter.
2. To entitle matter to free carriage, it should bear the
word “Free” and the signature, either written or printed
facsimile, of the person entitled to frank it, together with
his official designation, if any, on the address side of the
package, except in case of matter addressed to the persons
named in the preceding section.
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
41
3. All franked matter shall be forwarded like any other,
but when once delivered to the addressee may not be
remailed unless properly franked again. A bulk package
of franked articles may be sent by a person entitled to the
franking privilege, to one addressee, who, on receiving
and opening the package, may, on behalf of such person,
place addresses on the franked articles and remail them for
carriage and delivery to the respective addresses.
*
*
Sec. 500. Use of penalty envelopes and labels.-Persons
not officers writing to the executive departments or to
officers of the United States concerning the business of the
writers with the Government may not use the penalty
envelope to transmit their correspondence. * *
*
Sec. 506. Books, pamphlets, etc., for the blind.-Books, pamphlets,
and other reading matter in raised characters for the use of the blind,
whether prepared by hand or printed, in single volumes not exceeding
ten pounds in weight, or in packages not exceeding four pounds in weight,
and containing no advertising or other matter whatever, unsealed, and
when sent by public institutions for the blind, or by any publiclibraries,
as a loan to blind readers, or when returned by the latter to such institu-
tions or publiclibraries, shall be transmitted in the United States mails
free of postage, and under such regulations as the Postmaster General
may prescribe.
Sec. 509. Exchange of mails, how governed. The
exchange of mails between the United States and foreign
countries generally is governed by the Universal Postal
Convention.
Sec. 510. Object of Postal Convention.- The Universal
Postal Convention provides for the exchange of corre-
spondence between any Postal Union country and any
country not within the Postal Union by use of the mails
of any Postal Union country which has such relations with
42
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
*
*
*
the country foreign to the union as to enable such exchange
of mails to be made.
Sec. 511. Classification of mail matter in international
mails.-Mail matter in Postal Union mails is classified as
follows:
(a) Letters.
(6) Post or postal cards, and post or postal cards with
paid reply.
(c) Commercial papers.
(d) Printed matter.
(e) Samples of merchandise.
2. Post cards must bear on the face the heading “Carte
postale” in French or the equivalent of that heading in
another language. This heading is, however, not obliga-
tory for single post cards issued by private establishments.
*
*
Sec. 519. Unmailable matter, what it includes.--The
bllowing articles are prohibited transmission in the regular
mails exchanged between the United States and foreign
countries:
(a) All articles, not prepaid, at least in part, except
letters and post cards.
(6) Printed matter, commercial papers, and samples
of merchandise, containing any letter or manuscript note
having the character of an actual and personal corre-
spondence.
(c) Printed matter, commercial papers, and samples of
merchandise not made up in packets in such manner as
to admit of their being easily examined, or not conforming
to the prescribed conditions for such matter.
(d) Samples of merchandise having a merchantable
value, or exceeding the prescribed weight or size.
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
43
(e) Packets of commercial papers and prints exceeding
the prescribed weight or size.
(f) All articles of a nature likely to soil or injure the
mails, or the persons handling them.
(9) Letters or packets containing current coin.
(h) Gold or silver bullion, precious stones, jewelry, or
other precious articles to or through the mails of any
country whose laws prohibit their being placed in the
mails or forwarded.
(i) See Postal Guide for articles prohibited admission to
the mails for some countries, and not for others.
2. All articles which are not wrapped or inclosed as
required by these regulations; all publications which vio-
late the copyright laws of the country of destination;
packets which exceed 4 pounds 6 ounces in weight; liq-
uids, poisons, explosives or inflammable substances, fatty
substances, those which easily liquefy, live or dead ani-
mals (not dried), insects and reptiles, confections, pastes,
fruits and vegetables liable to decomposition, and sub-
stances which exhale a bad odor are unmailable.
3. All articles which are not admissible to the domestic
mails on account of the danger of damage to the mails or
injury to the persons handling the same, unless wrapped
as prescribed by regulation, shall not be admitted to the
foreign mails (see sec. 474), and the statutes forbidding
the transmission in the mails of obscene matter, or articles
for indecent or immoral purposes (see sec. 480), of matter
which contains on the outside cover or wrapper or postal
cards bearing scurrilous or defamatory words or language,
etc. (see sec. 481), of matter relating to lotteries or similar
enterprises, including newspapers, etc., containing adver-
tisements of lotteries, etc. (see sec. 482), and of matter
relating to schemes to defraud (see secs. 479 and 482),
a
44
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
apply also to such matter in the foreign mails; but where
such matter is merely in transit across the territory of the
United States, postal employees shall not interfere with it.
Sec. 521. Parcel post with certain foreign countries.-
Packages of mailable merchandise may be sent by parcel
post to the countries with which the United States has
parcel-post conventions, subject to the conditions and
rates of postage prescribed in said conventions.
2. Parcels shall not exceed 31 feet in greatest length
nor 6 feet in greatest length and girth combined, except
that parcels to Colombia and Mexico shall not exceed 2
feet in greatest length nor 4 feet in greatest girth. Parcels
not exceeding 11 pounds in weight may be sent to all
countries with which the United States has parcel-post
conventions, except that to certain post offices in Mexico
(see Postal Guide) the limit of weight for parcels is 4
pounds 6 ounces.
3. Postage at the rate of 12 cents for each pound or frac-
tion of a pound shall be fully prepaid. The registration
fee, or fee for a "return receipt,” if any, shall also be
"
prepaid.
4. A parcel shall not be posted in a letter box, but must
be taken into a post office or branch post office or station,
or such contract station as the postmaster may designate.
5. The delivery fee prescribed by the parcel-post con-
vention concerned-shall be collected on the delivery of
each parcel received from a foreign country, whether deliv-
ery is made at the post office or at the residence of the
addressee, and postage-due stamps to the amount of the
proper charge on the parcel shall be affixed thereto and
canceled before delivery. (See sec. 587.)
.
See Postal Guide for list of countries with which there is parcel-post
service, and detailed information respecting such service.
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
45
Sec. 522. Privacy of matter under seal.-No person in
the postal service, except those employed for that purpose
in the Division of. Dead Letters, shall break, or permit to
be broken, the seal of any letter or other matter while in
the custody of the postal service. Neither postmasters,
inspectors, employees of the Post Office Department, nor
officers of the law, without legal warrant therefor, have
authority to open under any pretext a sealed letter while
in the mails, not even though it may contain improper or
criminal matter, or furnish evidence for the conviction of
offenders. (See sec. 484.)
2. The seal of letters or packages suspected to contain
unmailable matter shall not be broken to ascertain that
fact.
3. Postal cards, post cards, and circulars unsealed and
all other unsealed matter may, when suspected to contain
unmailable matter, be examined for the purpose of ascer-
taining their character.
See current Annual Postal Guide for instructions in connection with
mail matter for the Philippine Islands and transmitted by rural free
delivery.
Sec. 523. Information not to be given.-Postmasters and
others in the postal service shall not give to unauthorized
persons information concerning mail matter. They shall
furnish such information to post-office inspectors, and may
furnish it also to the addressee of mail matter or his agent,
and, in the case of registered mail, to the sender or his
agent, and they may give to officers of the law to aid in the
apprehension of fugitives from justice information regard-
ing the addresses, return cards, or postmarks on mail mat-
ter, but must not withhold such mail from delivery to the
addressees. Information concerning money orders shall
not be given to any person except the remitter or payee
or the agent of either or to a representative of the Post
46
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
Office Department, or under special instructions from the
department.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
3. Complete or partial lists of names of patrons shall
not be furnished by postmasters, post-office employees, or
members of their families, but lists sent to postmasters
may be corrected by the crossing off of the names of per-
sons to whom mail can not be delivered or forwarded, and
the lists shall be returned, whether corrected or not, when
postage stamps are sent for that purpose. New names or
addresses shall not be added.
*
Sec. 524. Access to mails forbidden.-Postmasters shall
not permit any persons except duly sworn assistants,
clerks, letter carriers, and post-office inspectors or other
authorized representative of the department to have
access to any mail matter in the post office. This prohi-
bition extends especially to mail contractors and their
drivers.
2. Mails should not be made up or handled within
reach of unauthorized persons, and such persons should
be excluded from the room appropriated to the use of the
post office while the mails are being opened or made up.
*
Sec. 526. Matter unsealed or in bad order.-Mail mat-
ter of the first class deposited in or received at any post
office unsealed or in a mutilated or otherwise bad condi-
tion shall be stamped or marked with the words “Received
unsealed” or “Received in bad order,” as the case may
be, and be officially sealed before being forwarded or
delivered.
Sec. 529. Time for closing mails.-
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
2. Mails at first-class post offices shall be closed not
more than one hour, and at all other offices not more than
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
47
half an hour, before the schedule time of departure of
trains, unless such departure is between the hours of
9 p. m. and 5 a. m., when they may be closed at 9 p. m.
At fourth-class offices day mails should not be closed until
it becomes necessary, allowing a reasonable time for
delivery at the train or to the carrier on star routes.
3. This regulation shall not apply to the post office
at New York City, and any office may be exempted
therefrom by special order.
Sec. 532. Weight of matter.-When matter is received
for mailing, its weight shall be ascertained and postage
thereon rated up. The postage shall be determined from
the weight of matter at the time of mailing, as mail matter,
from various causes, frequently diminishes in weight dur-
ing transit. A decided down weight is necessary to sub-
ject matter to an additional rate of postage. (See secs.
404 to 406, 545, and 852.)
Sec. 537. Using, etc., canceled stamps.
*
2. When matter bearing previously used stamps is
deposited for mailing (except as provided in sec. 595
as to forwarding mail), it shall be treated as "held for
postage.” (See sec. 545.) Upon receipt of stamps to
pay postage they shall be affixed and canceled and the
mail forwarded to addressee.
3. Mutilated or defaced postage stamps, fractional parts
of stamps, postage-due stamps, stamps cut from embossed
stamped envelopes, newspaper wrappers, or postal cards,
or stamps other than postage stamps, may not be used or
counted in prepayment of postage, and matter bearing
such stamps shall be treated as "held for postage,'' except
when bearing special-delivery stamps, as to which see
section 852.
48
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
4. United States postage stamps, to be acceptable for
postage, shall be without defacement, provided that for
the purpose of identification only, and not for advertising,
it shall be permissible to puncture or perforate letters,
numerals, or other marks or devices in United States
postage and special-delivery stamps. The punctures or
perforations shall not exceed one thirty-second of an inch
in diameter, and the whole space occupied by the identi-
fying device shall not exceed one-half inch square. The
puncturing or perforating must be done in such manner
as to leave the stamp easily recognizable as genuine and
not previously used. The use of ink or other coloring
matter in connection with such puncturing or perforating
is prohibited.
5. When postage or special-delivery stamps are so affixed
to mailable matter that one overlies another, concealing
part of its surface, the stamp thus covered shall not be
taken into account in prepayment.
6. Imitations of postage stamps may not be placed on
mail matter. All domestic mail matter bearing imita-
.
tions of postage stamps shall be returned to the sender,
if known, or, if unknown, sent to the Division of Dead
Letters.
Sec. 539. Canceling.-Postmasters shall cancel stamps
on mail matter by the use of canceling ink furnished by
the department and shall thoroughly and completely
deface the stamps.
Sec. 540. Postmark on mail matter.-All mail matter,
except that of the second class mailed by publishers and
news agents without stamps affixed, and identical pieces
of matter of the third and fourth classes without postage
stamps affixed, mailed under the provisions of section 459,
deposited in any post office for mailing, shall be post-
marked on the address side, the postmark to show name of
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
49
post office, name or abbreviation of the State, and, on
first-class matter, the date of dispatch, and hour thereof, if
the office be supplied with an hour-dating stamp. All
classes of correspondence addressed to foreign countries
shall be impressed at the mailing office with a stamp indi-
cating the office of origin and date of posting.
2. The wilful impression on any mail matter of a post-
mark bearing any other date than that on which such
matter is dispatched or of a backstamp bearing a date
other than that on which the mail is received at the post
office backstamping it, or the erasure of any date of a
postmark or backstamp, whether for purpose of fraud or
deception or to conceal a delay or detention of mail matter
or any other official error or delinquency, may subject the
offender to dismissal from the service.
Sec. 541. Postmarking stamps.--The type of postmark-
ing stamps shall be carefully adjusted at the beginning of
each day, and, where type is furnished to indicate the
hour of dispatch or receipt of mail, the type shall be
changed punctually at the specified periods.
2. Postmarking stamps and type shall be kept clean.
Broken stamps shall be returned to the Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General, Division of Supplies, except where
the wooden handle only is broken, in which case a new
handle will be furnished.
3. Postmasters shall not use any postmarking stamps
but those furnished by the Post Office Department.
4. A clear and distinct impression of the postmarking
stamp shall be made in a record book especially kept for
that purpose and shall show every change made in such
stamps during the day. Each impression shall be taken
immediately after change is made, whether in date or
hour, and where the mail is made up for dispatch on Sun-
,
28676° -145
50
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
day the impression of the stamp that day shall not be
omitted.
5. A record book for postmarks shall be furnished to
each first and second class office and large third class office,
but postmasters at the smaller offices of the third class and
at fourth-class offices shall supply such record books at
their own expense, or they may use blank facing slips for
the keeping of such records. (See sec. 362.)
Sec. 542. Canceling ink.-Postmasters shail not use any
canceling ink except that furnished by the Post Office
Department
2. Canceling ink shall be carefully kept, and the in-
structions for the use and care of the ink and pad furnished
with those supplies shall be strictly observed.
Sec. 546. Misdirected matter at mailing office.-Post-
masters and others in the postal service shall not attempt
to correct post-office addresses on mail. matter except as
provided in this section and in sections 595 and 597.
2. Mail that is misdirected as to post-office name, unless
addressed to a known county and State, should not be
dispatched, except upon reasonable assurance as to its
destination in which case it should be indorsed to show
by what post office the address is supplied), but should be
returned to the sender, if his name and address are known,
with the words stamped or written thereon, "Returned for
better direction,” together with such information as the
mailing office may have as to the correct post-office name.
The stamps originally affixed to such matter will, when it
is again presented for mailing, be accepted in payment of
postage to the amount of their face value.
3. If the name of the sender is not known and the post-
office address can not be supplied with reasonable cer-
tainty at the mailing office, the mail shall be disposed of
as unmailable. (See sec. 549.)

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
51
4. Mail not addressed to a post office but to a known
county and State shall be dispatched in the mails without
change of address. (See par. (g), sec. 1639.)
Sec. 547. Unmailable matter. — All matter which is
unmailable under the provisions of sections 480, 482, or
1707 shall, when deposited in a post office, be withdrawn
from the mails and sent to the Division of Dead Letters
with a statement of the facts connected therewith.
2. All matter which is manifestly unmailable under the
provisions of section 482 shall be withdrawn from the
mails and forwarded to the Division of Dead Letters. If
there is doubt as to whether such matter is unmailable, it
shall be forwarded with a statement of the facts connected
therewith to the Assistant Attorney General for the Post
Office Department for decision.
*
Sec. 548. Postmasters responsible for admission of
unmailable matter.-Postmasters shall exclude from the
mails all unmailable matter.
Sec. 549. What unmailable matter to be sent to Division
of Dead Letters.--The following unmailable matter, when
of the first class, shall be sent from the office where it is
deposited for mailing to the Division of Dead Letters;
and when of the third or fourth class, to the post office at
the headquarters of the division of the Railway Mail
Service in which the office of detention is located:
(a) “Held for postage” matter which can not be re-
turned to sender and has not been prepaid by addressee,
as provided in section 545.
(6) Misdirected matter which can not be dispatched to
the addressee nor returned to sender, as provided in sec-
*
*
*

tion 546.
52
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
(c) Excess of weight and size matter, or those packages
of domestic matter which exceed the weight or size limited
by law. (See secs. 462 to 464.)
(d) Mutilated or damaged matter other than merchan-
dise found loose in the mails, or that which when deposited
in the post office is, or before dispatch may become, so
damaged that it can not be forwarded to destination and
can not be returned to the sender. (See sec. 526.)
2. “Held for postage” and misdirected printed matter
(nixies) of no obvious value, and samples of merchan-
dise sent for advertising purposes and articles of like
character having no salable value, may be disposed of as
waste paper or destroyed, as provided in section 635 re-
specting unclaimed printed matter of like character upon
which postage-due stamps have not been affixed. Before
such matter is disposed of all postage stamps thereon
shall be canceled and each piece carefully examined, and
if any is found to contain other matter of a higher class
inclosed it shall be sent to the Division of Dead Letters.
3. Obscene, scurrilous, and lottery matter of any class,
declared nonmailable by sections 479 to 482, shall be sent
to the Division of Dead Letters.
Sec. 552. Withdrawal by sender before dispatch.-After
mail matter has been deposited in a post office it shall not
be withdrawn except by the sender, or, in case of a minor
child, by the parent or guardian duly authorized to con-
trol the correspondence of the writer.
2. When request is made for the withdrawal of any
mail matter, the postmaster shall ascertain whether the
person making the request is entitled to such matter.
The applicant should be required, if necessary, to exhibit
a written address in the same hand as that upon the matter
sought to be withdrawn, and such description of the mat-
ter, or other evidence, as will.identify the same and satisfy

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
53
the postmaster that the applicant is entitled to with-
draw it.
3. When matter withdrawn from the mails before dis-
patch is again presented for mailing, the stamps originally
affixed thereto shall be accepted in payment of postage
to the amount of their face value.
*
*
*
Sec. 559. Letters for delivery and distribution to be in
separate packages.-Mail for delivery and mail for distri-
bution at a post office shall be made up in separate pack-
ages, unless special authority to combine it is given.
Sec. 560. Direct packages.-A direct package will be
made up by placing all letters for one post office in a
package by themselves, all faced one way, with a plainly
addressed letter on the outside, and a facing slip, bearing
the postmark of the office and the name or number of the
person making up the package, on the back of the same,
faced out.
Sec. 561. Mail not to be put in pouch loose, or under
straps. -Letter and circular mail shall be properly "faced
up" and tied in packages, and not placed in the pouch
loose.
2. After pouches are closed and dispatched from a post
office, letters shall not be placed under the strap or attached
to the outside of the pouch. When this is done at the sta-
tion, the postmaster shall inform the mail messenger that
the practice must be discontinued.
Sec. 562. Through pouches by mail trains.—Postmas-
ters shall not make up through pouches to be dispatched
by mail trains unless specially instructed to do so.
Sec. 563. Limit of weight of contents of mail sacks.-
Not more than 125 pounds of mail matter should be placed
in a sack,


54
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
2. A mail sack may be used for a separation of second,
third, and fourth class matter under the conditions pre-
scribed in section 536, paragraph 5.
Sec. 564. Facing slips.-Upon each package of letters
or circulars, and in each pouch or canvas sack of newspa-
pers or in the label holder, if any is attached thereto, shall
be placed a facing slip, bearing the postmark of the office,
with date and time of closing or dispatch, the name or
number of the person making up the package or pouch,
and addressed as provided in section 1630.
Sec. 565. Circular matter in canvas sacks. When it is
necessary to send circular matter inclosed in envelopes
similar to those used to cover business letters, in canvas
sacks, the label upon the sack must read, in addition to
the regular address, “Circulars," whether the matter
placed in the sacks is wholly circular mail, or circular and
second, third, and fourth class mail.
Sec. 566. Hooks for handling mail bags prohibited.-
Hooks must not be used in handling mail bags.
Sec. 567. Record of pouches dispatched.-Postmasters
shall keep a permanent record of all pouches due to be
dispatched, except where only one pouch is dispatched
at a time, and such pouches shall be checked off on the
record when dispatched, so that accurate and specific
information can be furnished in regard to any losses or
delays to mail in transit. When a pouch fails to be dis-
patched, a shortage slip shall be made out and forwarded
to destination in lieu of the missing pouch, explaining the
cause of failure, suitable notation thereof being made on
permanent pouch record.
Sec. 570. Delivery to carriers in advance of schedule
time prohibited.--Postmaster shall not deliver mail to
carriers in advance of schedule time without express per-
mission from the Post Office Department, nor permit the

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
55
mail to be taken from the post office on the evening before
schedule day for departure to be kept in a private house
overnight.
Sec. 572. Weight of mail in catcher pouches.- Not
exceeding 35 pounds of mail matter shall be placed in a
catcher pouch. Letter mail shall be given preference;
and when the mail matter to be sent exceeds 35 pounds,
the excess shall be dispatched by local train if there be one.
Sec. 580. Opening of pouches.-Upon the arrival of the
mail at a post office, the mail sacks and pouches addressed
to that office shall be examined to ascertain if they are
properly locked and are not cut or torn so that mail matter
could have been lost or abstracted therefrom, and shall
then be opened. Upon being emptied the pouch or sack
shall be carefully examined to see that no mail matter is
left therein. Only one sack or pouch should be opened
at a time, so that the responsibility for all errors may be
definitely fixed.
2. The address slips of all pouches and sacks should
be carefully removed, postmarked with date of receipt,
and kept on file at least 10 days.
Sec. 581. Errors and irregularities in distribution or
making up.-Postmasters and other employees, on open-
ing and assorting the mail, shall examine the same for
errors in its distribution and make-up, and such errors
shall be noted upon the address slip and reported to the
division superintendent of Railway Mail Service.
2. All errors found in the distribution of any package
of letters or in any sack of newspapers shall be noted on
the reverse side of the slip covering or inside of the same,
giving the name of post office or State, if included in the
superscription, the name of the person noting the error,
and postmarking with date.
56
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
3. If any package or sack arrives without slips, the
division superintendent shall be promptly notified of the
fact, and the name of mailing office, if known, and the
label shall be sent to him.
4. Any irregularities in the receipt or dispatch or for-
warding of any mail shall also be promptly reported.
5. Any mail received at any post office which has not
been properly distributed or made up by railway postal
clerks shall be promptly reported to the division super-
intendent and the slips covering or received with the
same shall be sent with the report.
6. Missent packages of letters and papers shall be
checked on the slip that is on or in the package, as
follows:
Missent pkg.
of...... letters (or papers),
all for.
John Smith, P. M.
(Postmark.)
and the slip shall be forwarded to the division super-
intendent, Railway Mail Service, with the label of the
pouch or sack. If there is no slip on the package, check
,
on a blank slip and forward as above. If the pouch or
sack is not labeled, that fact shall be stated. A pack-
age of papers is construed to mean a tie-out under a
separate label of more than one piece of separately
wrapped and addressed mail matter other than letters.
7. Misdirected packages of letters and papers shall
be checked in the same manner as a missent package,
except the word "Misdirected” shall be substituted for
"Missent," and the label of the pouch or sack shall not
be forwarded.
8. Missent or misdirected pouches and sacks shall be
reported as prescribed in paragraph 6 for missent pack-
ages. The labels shall be forwarded in all these cases.

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
57
9. All slips received upon packages of letter or circular
mail, or in sacks of newspaper mail, upon which errors
have been noted must be preserved and sent to the divi-
sion superintendent daily from first and second class
offices and weekly from all others.
Sec. 582. Missent matter to be promptly forwarded. -
Whenever on opening the mails as a post office matter is
found therein directed to other post offices of the same
name in other States or which in any manner has been
missent to such office for delivery it shall at once be
plainly stamped or marked with the words “Missent,"
also with the postmark of the office, and forwarded by
next mail to destination.
2. If mail belonging to an intermediate office is found
in a pouch when opened, it shall be sent back by the
return pouch.
Sec. 583. Backstamping.--All registered and special-
delivery mail of whatever class received for delivery at
any post office shall be backstamped.
Sec. 584. Record of pouches received.-Postmasters
shall keep a permanent record of all pouches due to be
received, except where only one pouch is received at a
time, and such pouches shall be checked off on the record
when received, so that accurate and specific information
can be furnished in regard to losses or delays to mail in
transit. In case of failure to receive a pouch due, prompt
report shall be made to the division superintendent,
Railway Mail Service, and a copy of such report attached
to permanent record.
2. Shortage slips received at any office of destination
in lieu of missing pouches shall be forwarded without
unnecessary delay to the proper division superintendent
of the Railway Mail Service with a statement showing
when and how the pouch subsequently arrived.

58
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
Sec. 585. Rating up postage and search for matter improperly
rated.-Postmasters at the office of delivery may remove the wrappers
and envelopes from mail matter not charged with letter postage when
it can be done without destroying them, for the purpose of ascertaining
whether there is upon or connected with any such matter anything
which would authorize or require the charge of a higher rate of postage
thereon.
2. On opening the mail, postmasters shall look over the
letters and examine packages and parcels to ascertain
whether the postage thereon has been sufficiently prepaid,
and shall rate up at double the prepaid rate (see secs.
397 and 589) the amount found to be due on all matter,
not free, dispatched inadvertently without any prepay-
ment, and on all partly but not fully prepaid matter the
deficient postage at the single rate, according to its class
and weight, and note in writing or stamp the amount due
on each letter or parcel.
3. Mail inadvertently dispatched with postage-due
stamps affixed, but no others, such stamps representing
the full amount of postage, shall be delivered to the ad-
dressee without additional charge. If such stamps do not
represent the full amount of postage, the deficient postage
at the single rate only shall be collected from the addressee.
In all such cases the office of mailing shall be reported to
the Third Assistant Postmaster General, Division of Classi-
fication.

*
*
*
*
*
Sec. 587. Collection of postage due.-No mail matter shall be deliv-
ered until the postage due thereon has been paid.
2. * * * Postmasters, before delivering * * * (any matter of
the first class upon which one full rate has been prepaid) or any article
of mail matter upon which prepayment in full has not been made, shall
affix, or cause to be affixed, and canceled, as ordinary stamps are can-
celed, one or more stamps equivalent in value to the amount of postage-
due on such article of mail matter, * * *.
3. Whoever, being a postmaster or other person engaged in the postal
service, shall collect and fail to account for the postage due upon any

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
59
article of mail matter which he may deliver, without having previously
affixed and canceled the special stamp provided by law, or shall fail to
affix such stamp, shall be fined not more than fifty dollars.
4. Postmasters shall not accept postage stamps in pay-
ment of postage remaining due on mail matter. The
amount due shall invariably be paid in cash.
5. If the addressee objects to the payment of the addi-
tional postage, he may deposit the amount thereof with
the postmaster, who shall give a receipt therefor, and sub-
mit to the Third Assistant Postmaster General, Division of
Classification, a full statement of the facts and the reason
for the charge. If the charge be made because the matter
is closed against inspection, the addressee may deposit the
deficient postage and require the package to be sent un-
opened to the Third Assistant Postmaster General for his
decision whether it be so wrapped as to require it to be
rated as a matter of the first class; *
*
*
*
*
*
*
Sec. 591. Postage-due stamps.-Postmasters at other
than city-delivery post offices shall not affix postage-due
stamps to part-paid or unpaid matter of any class until the
delivery thereof has been requested. No postmaster shall
affix postage-due stamps to part-paid or unpaid matter of
the third or fourth class until the delivery thereof can be
effected. Postage-due stamps shall not be affixed to mat-
ter forwarded by request of addressee, returned to writer,
or sent to the Division of Dead Letters or to post offices
at division headquarters of the Railway Mail Service.
2. At city-delivery post offices postage-due stamps shall
be affixed to all part-paid or unpaid mail of the first and
second classes as soon as received unless a forwarding order
is on file, in which case first-class mail prepaid at least
2 cents shall be forwarded without affixing due stamps.
See sec. 595, as to forwarding mail.




60
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
3. When postmasters have no postage-due stamps on
hand, they shall collect the amount of postage due, and as
soon as they obtain such stamps an amount equal to the
postage collected shall be affixed to a sheet of paper, can-
celed, and forwarded to the Third Assistant Postmaster
General with a statement of the facts.
4. When matter is received at any post office, returned
to writer, or forwarded from another office on which postage-
due stamps have been affixed and canceled, and which is
accompanied with a postage-due bill, as provided in sec-
tion 599, such bill shall be returned to the postmaster from
whom it is received, accompanied with the amount of un-
canceled postage-due stamps named thereon.
(a) Upon the delivery of such matter the proper postage
shall be collected.
Sec. 593. Unmailable matter.-
*
*
2. All matter received at offices of delivery which is
manifestly obscene, etc. (see sec. 480), and matter which
contains on the outside cover or wrapper, or postal cards
bearing scurrilous or defamatory language, etc., and mat-
ter which relates to lotteries or similar enterprises, or to
fraudulent schemes, which was through inadvertence dis-
patched from the mailing office contrary to the provisions
of section 547, shall be withdrawn from the mails and
treated as provided in said section.
Sec. 594. Matter not to be delivered to fictitious ad-
dresses.--Ordinary mail matter addressed to fictitious
persons or firms, to initials, or to no particular person or
firm, unless directed to be delivered at a designated place,
as a post-office box, street and number, or to the care of a
certain person or firm within the delivery of the post office,
shall not be delivered and shall be sent to the Division of

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
61
*
*
*
*
Dead Letters or to post offices at division headquarters of
the Railway Mail Service, as prescribed by section 643,
unless the envelope contains the card of the sender or a
request to return, in which case such letters or packages
should be returned accordingly.
*
Sec. 595. Forwarding of mail matter.Prepaid letters shall be for-
warded from one post office to another at the request of the party ad-
dressed, without additional charge for postage.
2. (a) Mail which can be forwarded without additional
charge for postage includes letters prepaid at one full rate
(2 cents), parcels fully prepaid at the first-class rate,
postal cards, post cards, and official matter.
(6) All mail, whatever its class, addressed to persons in
the United States service (civil, military, or naval), serv-
ing in the United States or any of its possessions, or en
route to or from the United States or any of its possessions,
whose change of address is caused by official orders, shall
be transmitted as rapidly as possible until it reaches the
addressee; the actual location of the addressee for the
time being shall be considered as the original destination
of the piece of mail matter. Such transmission shall not
be considered as “forwarding” in the sense in which that
word is used in the postal service, and no additional post-
age shall be required therefor. To insure prompt delivery
mail matter sent to persons in the United States service
should include in the address the complete designation of
the organization, company, and regiment, vessel, or other
branch of the service to which the addressee belongs, and
the postage thereon should be fully prepaid.
NOTE-A change of street number to secure delivery at the office of
address is not regarded as "forwarding” and does not subject matter to
additional postage.
3. Mail of the third and fourth classes may be "re-
mailed” or forwarded, but not unless the addressee, or
28676--146
62
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
some one for him, shall have prepaid additional postage
thereon at the same rate as would be chargeable if originally
mailed at the forwarding office, in which case the neces-
sary stamps shall be affixed by the forwarding postmaster
and canceled. Prepayment shall be made every time the
matter is reforwarded. Matter of the second class when
"remailed” or forwarded shall be charged with postage at
the rate of 1 cent for each 4 ounces or fraction thereof, to be
prepaid by stamps affixed. (See sec. 435.)
4. Mail of the second, third, and fourth classes addressed
to a discontinued post office may, when the office to which
such mail is ordered sent by the department is not con-
venient for the addressees, be transmitted to such office as
they may designate, without additional charge.
*
*
*
*
6. When mail of the second, third, or fourth class is
received addressed to a person who has filed a forwarding
order, notice shall be sent advising him that the matter
will be forwarded on receipt of postage therefor.
7. Mail of the second, third, or fourth class, the ad-
dressee of which has been notified of the amount of postage
required for forwarding, may be delivered to the addressee
at the office from which the notice emanated, without
payment of the forwarding charge, provided he shall first
revoke his order for forwarding, thus relieving the post-
master of sending notices that are to be inoperative; or,
if he does not revoke his forwarding order, the matter may
be delivered to him on payment of 1 cent for each card
notice sent him.
8. Any erroneously delivered article of mail on being
returned to the post office, and any matter proper to be
forwarded free, addressed to the care of another, and
returned by him redirected, may be forwarded as if it had
not passed from the post office. Matter which has been
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
63
-
opened inadvertently upon misdelivery may be for-
warded. Unopened letters properly readdressed for for-
warding may be deposited in the post office originally
addressed, or a letter box of such office.
Sec. 596. Forwarding requests, when disregarded.-
Requests to forward mail made by any other person than
the addressee or his lawful agent or the person in whose
care the matter is addressed shall be disregarded; the
husband of an addressee will be presumed her agent when
she has not directed her mail to be withheld from his
control.
2. A general request to forward matter shall be observed
until revoked.
3. The direction may be changed and matter refor-
warded upon request as many times as may be necessary
to reach the addressee.
4. Matter entitled thereto shall be promptly forwarded.
*
6. Letters should not be forwarded on trial. A post-
master at whose office a letter can not be delivered may
forward such letter to another office if he has special
reason to believe it can be delivered therefrom.
Sec. 597. Misdirected matter.—The address on all mis-
sent matter which, by the aid of the street directory fur-
nished to city-delivery offices and other reliable books of
reference, it is reasonably certain can be delivered at
another office, may be corrected and forwarded to such
office. Each piece of mail matter so treated shall bear the
postmarking stamp of the office where the address is cor-
rected, with its current date below or following the words
“Deficiency in address supplied by," or some other stamp
or indorsement giving like information.
2. Postmasters at other than city-delivery offices may
correct the address on, and forward to destination, all
*
*
*
*
64
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
mail matter which is received at their offices through
obvious mistake of the sender in addressing it, but such
destination should not be guessed at, nor the matter for-
warded on trial. Matter thus forwarded should be post-
marked and stamped as herein provided.
3. When mail matter upon which deficiency in address
has been supplied as herein provided is received at the
post office to which directed and can not be delivered,
the postmaster shall stamp the same "Misdirected” and
include it with his next regular return of unmailable
matter as provided in sections 549 and 550. Such an
article of mail matter shall not be returned to the forward-
ing office nor sent to a new destination unless the post-
master has a proper forwarding order from the addressee.
Sec. 598. Letters under cover to postmasters.--Postmas-
ters shall forward all matter of the first class on which one
full rate of postage is prepaid which may be received under
cover from any other post office with or without request
to mail the same. Before forwarding, they shall cancel
the stamps and indorse in writing or stamp on such matter
the following: “Received at
under cover
from the post office at
When the name
of the mailing office does not appear the indorsement
should be made as indicated, leaving the last two spaces
blank.
Sec. 599. Forwarding of matter to which due stamps
have been affixed.-When at a city-delivery office matter
to which postage-due stamps have been affixed and can-
celed is forwarded to another post office within the United
States, a numbered postage-due bill, stating amount due
and name of the person from whom it is to be collected,
shall be attached to and sent with the matter.
2. When domestic mail on which postage-due stamps
have been affixed is forwarded to foreign countries, the
وز
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
65
postage-due bill, indorsed “Foreign letters forwarded,"
shall be attached to the dead-letter bill ” and sent to
the Division of Dead Letters. (See sec. 646.)
Sec. 600. Delivery of ordinary mail.-Mail shall be de-
livered from the post office to which it is addressed and
shall not be withdrawn for delivery in transit, except as
provided herein.
*
6. Mail' matter addressed to a post-office inspector may
be delivered from any post office through which it may
be passing, or by any railway postal clerk, when assured
of the inspector's identity by inspecting his commission.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Sec. 601. General directions for delivery of ordinary
mail matter.-Mail matter should be delivered to the
person addressed or in accordance with his written order.
When the addressee habitually sends for or receives his
mail through his clerk, servant, agent, or some member
of his family, and recognizes or acquiesces in such deliv-
ery, no written order need be required.
2. When a person requests delivery to him of the mail
of another, claiming that the addressee has verbally given
him authority to receive it, the postmaster, if he doubts
the authority, may require it to be in writing, signed and
filed in his office. Ordinary letters bearing the word
"personal” in connection with the address should be
delivered as other mail for the addressee is delivered.
3. A letter addressed to a person imprisoned to await
trial, upon indictment, or pending indictment, should be
delivered in accordance with the order of the person
addressed. In the absence of an order, the mail may be
delivered to the sheriff or officer having charge of the
prisoner.
66
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
4. When a postmaster is in doubt as to the identity of
the addressee he may require proof, and should exercise
great care, especially where mail matter appears to be of
value, to make proper delivery.
5. Where two or more persons of the same name receive
mail at the same office the postmaster should advise them
to adopt some address or means by which their mail may
be distinguished. Postmasters may deliver such matter
according to their best judgment, and should not return
it to the mailing office for better description of the ad-
dressee until, after inquiry, they are unable to determine
to whom it should be delivered.
6. Mail matter addressed to a person in care of another
should be delivered to the addressee, if he so direct, and
not to the person to whose care it is addressed. In the
absence of such direction, it should be delivered to the
first of the two persons who may call for it. (See sec. 602.)
7. Mail matter addressed to several persons may be
delivered to any one of them.
8. Mail matter addressed to a public official or to an
officer of a corporation by his official title should be
delivered to the person actually holding the office desig-
nated in the address.
9. Neither husband nor wife can control the delivery
of matter addressed to the other. When so instructed,
.
a postmaster must refuse to deliver letters to the husband
which are addressed to the wife, or those to the wife
which are addressed to the husband. In the absence of
instructions to the contrary, the wife's letters should be
placed in the husband's box and delivered to him with
his own letters, unless they be known to live separately.
10. A person engaged in a legitimate business may
adopt a business name, and, when duly identified, may
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
67
*
*
*
receive his mail, registered or ordinary, by that name as
well as by his proper name.
11. Any number of citizens may employ an agent and
give him a written order on the postmaster for their mail;
and when such order is presented to the postmaster the
mail for such parties, and also mail addressed to a person
in care of any such parties, should be delivered to the
agent named.
*
Sec. 602. Packages of second-class matter.-When bulk
packages of second-class matter are received at any post
office addressed thereto, they shall be opened and the
separate copies of the publication contained in such pack-
ages shall be delivered according to the addresses thereon.
(See secs. 465 and 536.)
2. When a package of second-class matter is addressed
to one person and intended for a club of actual subscrib-
ers, the addressee may call at the post office and write
addresses on the single copies, which shall be delivered
without payment of additional postage (see sec. 465); but
the package can not be taken away from the post office
and the copies returned again for delivery or transmission
in the mails unless additional postage is paid at the rate
for transient matter of the second class. (See sec. 435.)
Sec. 603. Use of general delivery.-Mail bearing as a
part of its address the indorsement “Transient,” “To be
called for,” “General delivery," or other words indicating
that it is intended for a transient person, shall be placed
in the general-delivery case to be delivered upon applica-
tion and proper identification. (See sec. 594.)
2. At offices having carrier-delivery service mail as above
addressed should not be delivered by carriers without the
consent of the addressee or, in the case of minors, instruc-
tions from the parents or guardians.
68
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
3. Persons supposed to be residents who call at the gen-
eral delivery of such offices for mail may be requested to
furnish in writing their names and addresses and state-
ments of their reasons for using the general delivery instead
of carrier service. Minors calling at such offices may be
required to furnish the same information and also the
names of their parents or guardians. (See sec. 609.)
4. Postmasters at offices not having carrier-delivery serv-
ice may notify the parents of minors in all instances where
it appears that minors are using the general-delivery or
post-office boxes for receiving mail under objectionable
circumstances.
5. Mail that is not addressed as indicated in paragraph 1,
nor to a post-office box or street number, shall be placed
in the general-delivery case unless it is addressed to the
care of a person whose address is known to the distributing
clerks or carriers or unless the matter is entitled under
section 607 to directory service, in which case it should be
subject to inquiry and delivery through the general deliv-
ery while effort is being made to supply a specific address.
Sec. 605. Use of boxes.-The use of a box shall be
restricted to the renter thereof, the members of his house-
hold, and those connected with him in business.
2. Mail addressed to the members of the household of a
box holder, including visitors, servants, and transient and
temporary boarders, or in his care, and mail for confiden-
tial or official employees may be placed in his box.
3. A firm renting a box may have placed therein all mail
matter addressed to its name and to any of its official em-
ployees. By the consent of all the members of a firm any
member thereof may have mail addressed to himself or
members of his family deposited in the box assigned to the
firm's use.
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
69
4. When a box is rented by a corporation, association,
or society, mail for its officials may be placed therein.
5. Mail matter addressed to the students and employees
at a college, seminary, or school, who board therein, or to
inmates and employees of any public institution, may be
placed in the box rented by such college, school, or insti-
tution, if consistent with the usage and rules thereof.
6. Mail addressed to guests or transient boarders at a
hotel or boarding house should be placed in the box
assigned to such hotel or house, or the proprietor thereof.
7. Mail addressed merely to the number of a box may
be delivered to the holder thereof as long as no improper
or unlawful business is conducted in this manner.
8. Bills and circulars shall not be placed in boxes by
postmasters for themselves or anyone else without payment
of regular postage thereon.
9. Postmasters may hand out mail from lock boxes or
drawers when the holder or such person as may be author-
ized to take the mail has forgotten the key or can not open
the box.
10. No discrimination in favor of box renters shall be
made in the delivery of mail, but each person shall be
served in his turn.
Sec. 606. Delivery of mail at city-delivery offices.-All
mail addressed to residences and business houses within
the city-delivery limits of a city or town shall, as far as
possible, be delivered by letter carriers.
2. Mail addressed to street and number shall be deliv-
ered by letter carriers unless the addressee directs other-
wise. If a patron so direct, all of his mail, however ad-
dressed, shall be delivered by carrier or through his post-
office box; otherwise it should be delivered as addressed.
Sec. 607. City directories.-At city-delivery offices
where a city directory is available it shall be used when
70
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
necessary to ascertain the addresses of persons to whom
letters are directed, and it should also be used in the case
of transient newspapers and other matter of the third and
fourth classes where the error in or omitting of the street
address is evidently the result of ignorance or inadvertence;
but when circulars, printed postal cards, or other matter,
except letters, arrive at any post office in large quantities,
mailed apparently by the same person or firm, and from
which the street addresses have been omitted, the directory
need not be used to supply such omissions, and all such
circulars, etc., which can not be delivered through boxes
or by letter carriers shall be placed in the general delivery
to await call.
Sec. 608. Pension letters.- * * * Postmasters, delivery clerks,
letter carriers, and all other postal employees are prohibited from deliver-
ing any such mail to any person whomsoever, if the addressee has died
or removed, or in the case of a widow believed by the postal employee
intrusted with the delivery of such mail to have remarried; and the
postmaster in every such case shall forthwith return such mail with a
statement of the reasons for so doing, and if because of death or remar-
riage, the date thereof, if known.
NOTE.-The word "mail,” as used in the act, refers to letters contain-
ing checks in payment of pension drawn without separate vouchers or
receipts, and the word "removed” has reference to removals beyond
the delivery of the post office to which the mail is addressed and not
to changes of residence or address within the delivery of such office.
2. Letters bearing instructions under said act shall be
delivered, except as therein prohibited, only to the ad-
dressee, or to a member of the addressee's family or house-
hold duly authorized by him or her, in writing, to receive
them. If, however, the addressee is found to be under
guardianship, they should be returned to the sender, ,
under cover of penalty envelope, with a statement of that
fact and the name and address of the guardian, if known.
Before delivering such a letter to the person designated
in the pensioner's written authorization it should be as-

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
71
certained by making inquiry of such person that the pen-
sioner is living and within the delivery of the office and
is not under guardianship and, if a widow, has not remar-
a
ried.
3. Letters from the Bureau of Pensions not bearing
such instructions and addressed to a pensioner, a claim-
ant for pension, or a payee of the pension (in whole or in
part) of another person, may be delivered to the ad-
dressee, to his or her guardian, to the person in whose
care they may be addressed, if a responsible person, or
to a member of the addressee's family or household, to
whom other mail is delivered. They may also be for-
warded at the addressee's request. They must not be
delivered to or placed in the box of an attorney, claim
agent, or broker, even upon the addressee's written or
verbal order or request. They shall not be held for
delivery beyond the period given in the card request;
and if the addressee has died, they should be immedi-
ately returned with a statement of that fact and the date
of death, if known.
Sec. 609. Mail addressed to minors.--When minor
children reside with their parents, the father or, if he be
dead, the mother, generally is entitled to direct the dispo-
sition of mail matter addressed to such minors and, unless
the minors be under guardianship, may authorize another
to receive mail matter addressed to them, although they
be not residing with the parent; and postmasters should
deliver said matter accordingly, requiring directions in
writing, if deemed necessary.
2. In the absence of directions from a parent or guard-
ian or one authorized to control the correspondence of
a minor, mail matter addressed to such minor should be
delivered to him or her.
72
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
3. Mail matter addressed to a minor who is not depend-
ent upon a parent for maintenance and support, and does
not reside with a parent or guardian or with some one
in whose charge he may have been placed, should be de-
livered to the minor, or in accordance with his instruc-
tions.
4. Mail matter addressed to a deceased minor, who up
to the time of decease resided with parents or guardian,
may be delivered to the parent or guardian; but if the
minor left a husband or widow, delivery may be made
to him or her.
5. At colleges and similar institutions, where students
have been placed in charge of the principal by their par-
ents or guardians, and where the rules of the institution
provide that the principal shall have control of mail
matter addressed to such students as are minors, such
mail should be delivered in accordance with the order of
the principal. If, however, the principal has not au-
thority from the parent or guardian to control the mail
of the children placed under his care (which authority is
understood by an acceptance of the rules, that being
one), such mail should not be delivered to the principal
against the wishes of the scholar.
Sec. 610. Mail addressed to deceased persons.---Mail
matter (not pension mail) addressed to a deceased person
shall be delivered to the executor or administrator of his
estate; if there be none, delivery may be made to the
surviving husband or widow, unless there be other claim-
ants, in which event the postmaster shall report the facts
with written statements from the parties, to the Assistant
Attorney General, and await instructions.
2. When there is no executor, administrator, surviv-
ing husband, widow, or other claimant, the mail shall
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
73
be sent to the Fourth Assistant Postmaster General,
Division of Dead Letters, with the return of unclaimed
matter with a statement of the facts. (See sec. 643.)
Sec. 611. Mail addressed to partnerships and corpora-
tions.-Mail matter addressed to a firm may be delivered
to any member thereof.
2. Mail matter addressed to a corporation should be
delivered to the agent or officer conducting its correspond-
ence or to the person authorized to receive it.
3. Postmasters shall not decide disputes between mem-
bers of an existing firm as to delivery of its mail. Where
the mail has previously been delivered through a box or
general delivery, such delivery should be continued; if
through carrier, the mail should be handed to any member
of the firm.
4. Attempts to secure the mail of an established house,
firm, or corporation through the adoption of a similar name
should not be recognized. When disputes arise between
individuals, firms, or corporations as to the use of a name
or designation, matter addressed to a street, number, or
building should be delivered according to such address.
When not so addressed, the mail should be delivered to
the firm or corporation which first adopted the name of the
address at that place.
5. In all cases of dispute as to the firm or corporation
which is entitled to receive mail matter, when the post-
master is in doubt as to his duty under the regulations,
he shall obtain written statements from the contending
parties as to the grounds of their claims, and submit such
statements, with a full report of his own, to the Assistant
Attorney General for advice.
Sec. 615. Mail relating to business which is sold.-
When a business is sold, the mail shall be delivered accord-
286760-147
74
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
ing to the agreement entered into by the parties. Post-
masters shall not construe contracts nor determine rights,
but should deliver the mail according to such directions
as may be given by the vendor or the plain provisions of
contract of sale; and in the absence of directions by the
vendor, or any provision in the contract of sale, the mail
should be delivered to the person for whom it appears to
be intended.
Sec. 616. Order of court to be obeyed.-When mail mat-
ter is claimed by different persons and suit is instituted
between them to determine their rights thereto, any order
of the court affecting the delivery of the mail shall be
obeyed.
Sec. 617. Letters "Opened through mistake.”- When a
letter intended for one person is delivered to another of
the same name and returned by him the postmaster should
reseal the letter in the presence of the person who opened
it and request him to write upon it the words "Opened by
me through mistake,” and sign his name; the letter should
then be replaced in the post office. If the person who
opens the letter is unable to sign his name, the postmaster
should make the indorsement and have the person sign by
“mark” in presence of a witness.
2. A letter opened by mistake shall be treated until its
proper delivery as though it were sealed. Postmasters
shall not examine the contents of such letters, but must
confine themselves to the information contained upon the
envelope or wrapper.
Sec. 628. List of nondelivered matter-How made out.-
The names of persons to whom nondelivered matter is
addressed shall be arranged in the list of nondelivered
matter to be advertised in alphabetical order; and when
there is any quantity of matter to be advertised, the names
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
75
of men and women shall be separate. Matter of the third
and fourth classes shall be separate from the letters, with
appropriate headings.
Sec. 629. Advertised matter to be marked-How.
On every letter or other mail matter advertised shall be
plainly written or stamped upon the address side the word
“Advertised,” together with the date of advertising. The
original address shall not be defaced.
Sec. 630. Charge on advertised matter.--All letters published as
nondelivered shall be charged with one cent in addition to the regular
postage, to be accounted for as part of the postal revenue. (See sec. 102.)
2. The same charge as on letters shall be made on all
other advertised matter. Such charge shall be collected
on delivery by means of a postage-due stamp, which shall
not be affixed until the charge has been paid.
Sec. 632. Return of undelivered letters.-When the writer of any
letter on which the postage is prepaid shall indorse on the outside thereof
his name and address, such letter shall not be advertised, but, after
remaining uncalled for at the office to which it is directed the time the
writer may direct or the Postmaster General prescribe, shall be returned
to the writer without additional charge for postage, and if not then
delivered shall be treated as a dead letter.
2. The writer's card request for the holding of a letter
for a period shorter than 3 days or longer than 30 days
shall be disregarded.
3. The sender of a letter bearing a specific return request
may by subsequent written instruction to the postmaster
at the office of delivery lengthen or shorten the time origi-
nally allowed for delivery, but no letter shall be returned
in less than 3 days (except as provided in sec. 553 as to the
recall of mail) nor held for delivery more than 30 days.
4. Letters bearing the sender's return request shall be
returned at the expiration of the time specified in the
request, regardless of instructions from the addressee for
the retention of his mail.
76
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
Sec. 633. Return of card letters.-Undelivered mail of
the first class (except single postal cards and post cards)
bearing the name and address of the sender without a
request specifying a number of days shall not be adver-
tised, but shall be returned to the sender at the expira-
tion of
Five days if intended for delivery by city or rural
carrier.
Ten days if intended for general-delivery service at an
office having city-carrier service.
Fifteen days from offices not having city-carrier service,
unless intended for delivery by rural carrier.
2. Unclaimed official mail sent under penalty envelope
or label, or the frank of a Member of Congress, and un-
claimed reports and bulletins sent out from State agricul-
tural colleges in accordance with sec. 502) and from
agricultural experiment stations (as provided in par. 3,
sec. 504) shall be returned to the office of mailing if it is
known. If the office of origin can not be ascertained,
such mail shall be returned to the post office at Wash-
ington, D. C.
3. A request upon a drop letter for its return to the
writer at another post office shall not be complied with
unless the letter is.prepaid with one full rate of postage
(2 cents).
4. An unclaimed letter bearing the card of a hotel,
school, or college, or other public institution, printed
upon the envelope as an advertisement, shall not be
returned unless the card includes a printed or written
request for return.
5. If a prepaid letter bearing a return card is opened
inadvertently or upon a wrong delivery, it shall be
returned to the writer without additional charge. (See
sec. 617.)
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
77
>
6. An undelivered letter or other matter of the first
class bearing a return card and prepaid one full rate, but
not wholly prepaid, shall be returned to the mailing office
to be delivered to the sender upon his payment of the
postage due.
7. Every piece of first-class mail returned in accord-
ance with the sender's return card shall bear on its face
an indorsement of the reason for its return, such as “Re-
fused," "Removed," "Deceased," "Unclaimed," "Can
not be found," "Present address unknown,'' "Address
' ”
incomplete,” etc., and shall also be indorsed "Returned
to writer,” and bear a postmark showing the date of return
and the name for the post office from which returned.
The indorsement "Unclaimed” should not be used if a
more definite reason for nondelivery can be given. The
original address should be canceled, but must not be
obliterated or rendered illegible.
8. Undeliverable mail bearing the card of the White
House, the Speaker's room (House of Representatives),
the United States Senate, or of the House of Representa-
tives, with or without postage stamps affixed, should be
returned direct to the Washington, D. C., post office and
not sent to the Division of Dead Letters.
Sec. 634. Undelivered postal and post cards.--Unpaid,
misdirected, unmailable, and unclaimed domestic postal
cards and post cards deposited for local delivery shall be
returned to the sender when they bear his card address.
All other undeliverable domestic cards shall be held for
reclamation two weeks and then if not delivered shall be
destroyed or disposed of as waste by postmasters, except
that such as are obscene or scurrilous or bear uncanceled
postage stamps shall be sent to the Division of Dead
Letters. Before being disposed of as waste, the written
78
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
communications on undeliverable cards shall be canceled
or mutilated so as to prevent the improper use of the cor-
respondence.
2. Double postal cards, when unclaimed, shall be
returned to sender when the address of the sender can
be ascertained; otherwise they shall be sent to the Divi-
sion of Dead Letters. Care shall be taken in indorsing
and returning double cards not to deface or destroy the
unused half.
Sec. 637. Prepayment of postage on returned second,
third, and fourth class matter.
*
3. Undeliverable matter of the second, third, and
fourth classes may be returned only after the postage for
such return shall have been paid. The rate of postage
for the return of matter of the second class is 1 cent for
each 4 ounces or fraction thereof, of the third class the
same as that chargeable when it was first mailed, and of
the fourth class the rates prescribed in section 455.
4. When postage shall have been furnished for the
return of matter as herein provided, the postmaster shall
affix the necessary stamps to each separately addressed
piece, cancel the stamps, make the necessary change in
address, and promptly return the matter.
*
*
*
*
*
Sec. 638. Reason for nondelivery to be shown on mat-
ter.-Upon every undelivered article of mail matter must
be indorsed or stamped the reason for nondelivery, such
as “Unknown,” “Refused,” “Removed," "Firm dis-
solved,” “Deceased,” “In dispute,” etc. When no other
reason can be ascertained, the matter shall be indorsed
“Unclaimed.” In indorsing or stamping undelivered
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
79
*
*
*
matter the original address or postmark must not be de-
faced or obscured.
Sec. 650. Treatment of matter mailed at other than
exchange offices. When matter addressed to foreign coun-
tries is mailed at post offices not designated as exchange
offices, postmasters shall examine the same to ascertain
whether it belongs to one of the classes of matter admissi-
ble to the international mails. (See secs. 511 and 519.)
*
*
5. Matter admissible to the international mails shall be
dispatched the same as domestic mail to the proper
exchange office. Matter specially addressed to go via a
designated steamship line shall be so dispatched if prac-
ticable.
See Postal Guide, as to routing and dispatch of articles for foreign
countries.
Sec. 651. Treatment of parcel-post packages.- Parcels
offered for transmission by parcel post shall be examined,
weighed, and measured to ascertain that all conditions
applicable thereto are complied with and that the proper
amount of postage is prepaid thereon. (See sec. 521.)
2. Packages for transmission by parcel post shall not
be accepted for mailing unless customs declarations, filled
out as required, are properly attached thereto.
3. A "Certificate of mailing” shall be prepared and
date stamped by the postal employee accepting the par-
cel and handed to the sender if requested.
Sec. 658. Treatment of foreign matter at offices of de-
livery.-On receipt of foreign matter at the office of address
it shall be delivered (see secs. 601 to 620), forwarded (see
secs. 595 to 600), or advertised as unclaimed (see secs. 621
to 629), the same as domestic mail matter, except as herein
provided.
80
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
2. Postage due on unpaid or short-paid matter, as
indorsed thereon at the exchange office (see sec. 654), ,
shall be collected and postage-due stamps affixed, the
same as in the case of domestic mail matter (see sec. 590).
Sec. 661. Undeliverable parcel-post packages, how to be
treated.-Packages received from foreign countries by
parcel post which can not be delivered shall be treated as
indicated in the chapter “International parcel post” in
the current issue of the Official Postal Guide.
Sec. 667. Fixing of limits and frequency of service.-
The limits of the city-delivery service and the number of
daily deliveries and collection trips to be made shall be
fixed by the department and shall not be changed except
by authority of the First Assistant Postmaster General.
2. Postmasters may make changes in carrier routes
within established limits so as to equalize the carriers'
work and to improve the service.
3. The routes shall be laid out in such a manner that
none of the carriers will be required to work more than
8 hours a day within a period of 10 consecutive hours.
(See sec. 700.)
Sec. 668. Supervision of delivery service by postmas-
ters.-Postmasters shall see that superintendents of deliv-
ery, carriers, and clerks connected with the city-delivery
service are fully informed as to their duties and responsi-
bilities.
2. All orders of the Post Office Department affecting the
city-delivery service or the duties of letter carriers shall
be filed in a suitable book, and copies of all such orders
shall be posted in conspicuous places in the city-delivery
division of the post office and stations.
3. Postmasters shall issue such instructions as are neces-
sary to promote the efficiency of the city-delivery service
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
81
and maintain proper discipline, provided they do not
conflict with the Postal Laws and Regulations.
4. Postmasters shall frequently test, at irregular inter-
vals, the efficiency of letter carriers in the collection and
delivery of the mail.
Sec. 674. Boxes to be supplied with time cards.-All
letter boxes shall be supplied with time cards showing
the hours at which collections are made therefrom.
Sec. 675. Care of street letter boxes. A list of street
letter boxes, giving number and location, shall be kept
in the post office.
*
*
*
*
*
3. Whenever a letter box is broken or the time card
thereon defaced, the carrier on whose route the box is
located should promptly report the facts to the post-
master; and at the end of each month he should make a
report on the general condition of all the letter boxes and
time cards on his route. * * *
*
*
*
*
Sec. 676. Private boxes.- Private mail receptacles
should be used to facilitate the delivery of mail.
Sec. 678. Classification and salaries.- * * Carriers in the
City Delivery Service shall be divided into six grades, as follows: First
grade, salary six hundred dollars; second grade, salary eight hundred
dollars; third grade, salary nine hundred dollars; fourth grade, salary
one thousand dollars; fifth grade, salary one thousand one hundred
dollars; sixth grade, salary one thousand two hundred dollars. * * *
After June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and thirteen, the first grade
for * * * carriers shall be abolished and * * * appointments
shall be made to the second grade, salary $800. *
Sec. 679. Promotions.- * * * Carriers at first-class offices shall
be promoted successively to the fifth grade, * * * and carriers at
second-class offices shall be promoted successively to the fourth grade.
All promotions of * * * carriers shall be made at the beginning
of the quarter following the expiration of a year's service in the next
*
82
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
lower grade. No promotions shall be made except upon evidence satis-
factory to the Post Office Department of the efficiency and faithfulness
of the employee during the preceding year. * * *
2. * * * When a * * * carrier fails of promotion because of
unsatisfactory service he may be promoted at the beginning of the second
quarter thereafter, or of any subsequent quarter, on evidence that his
record has been satisfactory during the intervening period.
3. * * * Carriers of the highest grade in their respective offices
shall be eligible for promotion to the higher positions in said post offices.
4. * * * No * * * carrier shall be promoted more than one
grade within any one year's period of service. * * *
5. Fifteen days before the end of each quarter recom-
mendations should be submitted to the department
either for or against the promotion of every clerk and
carrier who at the end of the quarter will have completed
a year's service in any of the grades from $800 to $1,000,
inclusive, at a first-class office, or from $800 to $900 at a
second-class office.
6. Promotions to the $1,200 grade at first-class offices
and to the $1,100 grade at second-class offices are granted
as a reward for especially meritorious service.
Sec. 680. Reductions.- * * * The Post-Office Department may
reduce a * * * carrier from a higher to a lower grade whenever his
efficiency falls below a fair standard or whenever necessary for purposes
of discipline. When a * * * carrier has been reduced in salary he
may be restored to his former grade or advanced to an intermediate grade
at the beginning of any quarter following the reduction, on evidence that
his record has been satisfactory during the intervening period. * * *
Sec. 681. Ratings.-Postmasters shall keep
keep ratings,
under instructions issued by the department, to show
the relative standing of letter carriers based on their
faithfulness and efficiency.
Sec. 682. Auxiliaries.-Auxiliary employees may be employed to be
paid for actual service at the rate of thirty cents an hour: Provided,
That such employees shall be required to work not less than two hours
daily, and may serve as substitutes: And provided further, That such


POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
83
employees shall be eligible for appcintment as clerks and carriers of the
(second) grade.
Sec. 683. Substitutes.—Substitute letter carriers in the City Delivery
Service * * * employed in first and second class post offices shall be
paid at the rate of forty cents an hour when working for a carrier * * *
absent without pay.
2. Substitute carriers * * * when assigned to perform the work
of regular employees absent on vacations, or when performing auxiliary
or temporary work, shall be paid at the rate of thirty cents an
hour. * * *
3. That such substitutes shall be eligible for appointment as auxiliary
employees and as clerks and carriers of the (second) grade.
Sec. 684. Examination of applicants.-Applicants for
appointment as letter carriers shall be examined by the
Civil Service Commission, to whom applications should
be made. Examinations will be open only to citizens
of the United States.
2. Every applicant for appointment must be between
18 and 45 years of age, weigh at least 125 pounds, and
be not less than 5 feet 4 inches in height. He shall also
be required to undergo a physical examination by a
reputable physician, who shall make the certificate re-
quired by the Civil Service Commission.
Sec. 685. Appointments.—Letter carriers and substitute
letter carriers are appointed by the Postmaster General
on the nomination of the postmaster.
2. Selections of persons for appointment as substitute
letter carriers shall be made by the postmaster from the
carriers' eligible register in the manner prescribed by the
civil-service rules and the nominations submitted to the
civil-service district secretary for indorsement and trans-
mitted to the First Assistant Postmaster General, Divi-
sion of City Delivery.
3. When two or more persons are nominated on the
same day for appointment as substitute letter carrier
84
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
their seniority shall be determined by their standing,
or rating, on the eligible register, and not by the order
of their selection.
4. A vacancy in the regular force shall be filled by
the promotion of the senior substitute.
5. When a vacancy occurs in the regular force and
there are no substitute letter carriers the nomination for
appointment shall be made from the carriers' eligible
register.
6. The appointment of letter carriers and substitute let-
ter carriers at new city-delivery offices, upon their estab-
lishment, shall be made from the carriers' eligible reg-
ister by the Postmaster General on nomination of the
postmaster.
7. When a vacancy occurs or an emergency arises
necessitating the immediate appointment of a letter
carrier and there are no available substitutes, and the
eligible register contains less than three names, the post-
master may nominate, for temporary appointment, not to
exceed 90 days, any person of good character who is within
the age limitations and who possesses the other qualifi-
cations named in section 684.
8. A postmaster is not required to but may make a
selection from an eligible register containing less than
three names.
Sec. 686. Reinstatements.-Reinstatements to the sery-
ice shall be made only in accordance with civil-service
rule 9.
2. Applications for reinstatement to the service should
be made through the postmaster to the First Assistant
Postmaster General, Division of City Delivery.
3. If an applicant for reinstatement is an honorably
discharged soldier or sailor of the late Civil War or War
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
85
with Spain he shall state the title of the military or naval
organization in which he served, and, if possible, trans-
mit through the postmaster the certificate of his honor-
able discharge from the military or naval service.
NOTE.–Paragraphs 1 and 3 also apply to clerks.
Sec. 687. Transfers.-- Any clerk shall be eligible for transfer to the
service of a carrier, and any carrier shall be eligible for transfer to the
service of a clerk, such transfer to be made to any grade not higher than
the corresponding grade of salary, and the time which such clerk or
carrier shall have served in the grade from which such transfer was made
shall be counted in connection with the service to which such transfer
may be made in computing the time of service necessary to entitle such
employees to promotion: * * *
2. Transfers from the grade of clerk to that of carrier
in the same office may be made, provided they are effected
by exchange of positions and the clerks to be transferred
are physically able to perform the duties of a carrier; but
such transfers should be recommended only when the best
interests of the service will be subserved.
3. The transfer of a carrier from one office to another
will be permitted only in exceptional cases. Applica-
tions should contain a full statement of the circumstances
in the case and be addressed to the postmaster at the
office to which transfer is desired, and submitted to the
postmaster at the office in which the carrier is employed.
The last-named postmaster shall forward the application
accompanied with a statement of the carrier's record and
any pertinent facts in his case. If the postmaster at the
office to which the transfer is desired is favorable thereto,
he shall forward the application, together with his recom-
mendations, to the First Assistant Postmaster General,
Division of City Delivery.
Sec. 688. Resignation.-Resignations of letter carriers
and substitute letter carriers shall be made in writing and
forwarded to the First Assistant Postmaster General, Divi-
28676148
86
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
sion of City Delivery. A resignation requested by the
postmaster or by anyone for him will not be accepted.
2. Letter carriers and substitute letter carriers will not
be removed except for just cause upon written charges
filed with the First Assistant Postmaster General, Divi-
sion of City Delivery, of which they shall be given due
notice and allowed full opportunity for defense. The
charges shall specifically set forth alleged delinquency or
misconduct, giving date and place of the occurrence. (See
sec. 29.)
Sec. 689. Bonds of letter carriers.--Every letter carrier shall give
bonds, with sureties, to be approved by the Postmaster General, for the
safe custody and delivery of all mail matter, and the faithful account
and payment of all money received by him.
2. Each letter carrier and substitute letter carrier shall,
at the time of his appointment, give bond in the sum of
$1,000. It is preferred that bonds furnished by one of
the surety companies authorized to act as sureties on offi-
cial bonds be given. A list of such companies is printed
in the Annual Postal Guide.
3. The original bonds of two or more carriers or substi-
tutes, appointed at the same time, may be given on a
blanket or schedule form.
4. Letter carriers transferred from one post office to an-
other shall file new bonds, their former bonds terminating
on the date of such transfer. Substitutes promoted to be
regular carriers need not file new bonds unless called upon
to do so by the First Assistant Postmaster General, Division
of City Delivery.
5. Bonds of city letter carriers may be accepted by the
First Assistant Postmaster General for and on behalf of the
Postmaster General, and shall be filed in the office of the
First Assistant Postmaster General, Division of City
Delivery.

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
87
Sec. 690. Official oath to be taken by letter carriers.-
Every carrier, before beginning active service, shall take
the official oath prescribed in section 153, which oath shall
be retained on the files of the local post office, subject to
the call of the First Assistant Postmaster General or to
inspection by a post-office inspector or other officer of the
Post Office Department.
Sec. 691. Uniforms of carriers.-The Postmaster General may pre-
scribe a uniform dress to be worn by letter carriers.
2. Whoever, not being connected with the letter-carrier branch of the
postal service, shall wear the uniform or badge which may be prescribed
by the Postmaster General to be worn by letter carriers, shall be fined
not more than one hundred dollars, or imprisoned not more than six
months, or both.
Sec. 692. Carriers to provide their uniforms.-Letter
carriers and substitutes shall procure uniforms at their own
expense. Postmasters shall advise and assist them in
obtaining well-fitting suits of the prescribed material and
at the best terms.
2. No postmaster, assistant postmaster, superintendent
of delivery, assistant superintendent of delivery, clerk,
letter carrier, or other employee at any post office shall
act as agent or collector for any individual or firm engaged
in the manufacture or sale of letter carriers' uniforms or
any portion thereof.
3. Postmasters, or employees designated by them for
the purpose, will receive and distribute to the letter car-
riers and substitutes for whom they are intended uniform
goods shipped singly or in bulk by manufacturers to their
offices or to the stations thereof, and shall keep a record of
such deliveries.
Sec. 693. Specifications for carriers' uniforms.-Uni-
forms made according to the following specifications shall
be worn by all letter carriers.
88
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
FOR WINTER WEAR.
(a) Coat: A double-breasted, square-corner sack coat,
with lapels, and made of bluish, mixed cadet-gray flannel,
or a heavy bluish-gray worsted or serge, terminating two-
thirds the distance from the top of the hip bone to the
knee, with a pocket at each side and one on the left breast,
all outside, with flaps 2 to 3 inches wide, with length to
suit height of wearer, say 61 to 7 inches; coat to be piped
with best grade mohair braid, 16 inch projecting, to be in-
serted between edges; 10 brass buttons with the designs of
this department (letter carrier in uniform with mail bag
on shoulder and letter in uplifted hand, or present design
with letters “P. O. D.” beneath) down the front to button
to the neck, and cord piping around the sleeves, 24 inches
from the bottom, to correspond with piping on the edge;
2 circular buttons (vest size) on sleeve of coat, equidistant
below cord on sleeve; coat to be lined with a durable
all-wool flannel.
(6) Trousers: Of same material and color as coat, with
fine black broadcloth piping 1 inch wide down the outside
seam. Side and two hip pockets, to be made of strong,
durable material.
(c) Vest: A single-breasted vest of same material and
color as coat and trousers, with seven circular brass buttons
(vest size) with the letters "P. O. D.” upon the face.
Four pockets on outside (two on breast and two at waist)
and one on inside.
(d) Overcoat or cape: A reversible cape (detached from
the coat) reaching to the cuff of the coat sleeve when the
arm is extended, of the same material and color on one
side, and gutta-percha cloth on the other side, with five
buttons (the same as on the coat) down the front, and
bound entirely round with black mohair piping; or an
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
89
overcoat of the same material and color, trimmed to corre-
spond with the coat, with five brass buttons down the
front of the same size and design as the coat button. It
shall not be obligatory on the carriers to wear either, but
whenever additional covering is needed the postmaster of
each city shall decide, in accordance with the wishes of
a majority of the carriers, which shall be worn, as both
shall not be worn in the same city.
FOR SUMMER WEAR.
(e) Coat: Single-breasted, straight-front sack,with square
corners, skeleton made, of bluish-gray flannel, or a light-
weight bluish-gray worsted or serge, and terminating two-
thirds distance from top of hip bone to knee, with lapels
(medium roll) made to button over the breast; three
pockets outside, with flaps, one on each side and one on
left breast. Coat to be bound with black mohair piping,
1 inch projection, and five buttons down front, four but-
tons to button, and one at top under lapel of coat.
(f) Trousers: Same material and color as coat, with
black-cloth cord 1 inch wide down the outside seam.
Side and two hip pockets, to be made of strong and durable
material.
(9) Vest: Same material and color as coat and trousers,
piped same as coat, with collar cut to open same height as
coat, and five regulation buttons down the front. Vest
may be omitted in summer.
2. During the heated term postmasters may permit
letter carriers to wear a neat shirt waist or loose-fitting
blouse, instead of coat and vest, the same to be made of
light-gray chambray, gingham, light-gray cheviot, or other
light-gray washable material, to be worn with with turn-
down collar, dark tie, and neat belt, all to be uniform at
- each office.

90
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
3. All garments shall be sewed with pure-dye sewing
silk, and the garments must be finished in a proper and
workmanlike manner and goods thoroughly shrunk.
Sec. 694. Numbering of carriers.-Carriers shall be des-
ignated by number, and nickel-plated figures 18 of an inch
in length, surmounted by a metallic wreath, shall be worn
on the hat, cap, or helmet, the design and pattern to be
uniform at all offices, and to be regarded as a part of the
carrier's uniform.
Sec. 695. Service stars.-Length of service as letter
carriers shall be indicated on the carriers' uniforms by
stars, as follows:
Five years' service, one black silk star.
Ten years' service, two black silk stars.
Fifteen years' service, one red silk star.
Twenty years' service, two red silk stars.
Twenty-five years' service, one silver star.
Thirty years' service, two silver stars.
Thirty-five years' service, one gold star.
Forty years' service, two gold stars.
Forty-five years' service, three gold stars.
2. All stars shall be 4 inch in diameter and placed }
inch above black braid on each sleeve, equidistant be-
tween seams.
3. Substitute carriers shall wear a black-cloth bar, 1 inch
wide and 14 inches long, 1 inch above the black braid on
each sleeve, equidistant from seams.
Sec. 696. Inspection of uniforms.-Postmasters at city-
delivery offices shall cause a careful inspection of carrier's
uniforms to be made twice a year. A carrier should not
.
be required to buy a new suit or any part thereof unless
the postmaster, after inspection, decides that it is neces-
sary in order to maintain a uniform and neat appearance
of the force.
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
91
Sec. 697. Leaves of absence.-All letter carriers at free-delivery offices
shall be entitled to leave of absence, not to exceed fifteen days in each
year, without loss of pay; * * *
2. The words “each year” mean fiscal year (July 1 to
June 30, inclusive), and carriers in the service on the first
day of July are entitled to receive 15 days' vacation,
exclusive of Sundays and holidays, at any time during the
year when the postmaster can best spare them. Carriers
entering the service after the first day of July are entitled
to a pro rata leave of absence during the remainder of the
fiscal year equal to one and a quarter days for each month.
3. Carriers serving as members of local civil-service
boards during examinations, as members of the United
States militia of the District of Columbia, or as witnesses
for the Government in United States courts, shall be given
leave with full pay during necessary absence occasioned
by such service.
4. Postmasters may, in addition to the leave of absence
with pay provided by law, grant leave of absence without
pay to carriers, such leave not to exceed 30 days in any
one calendar year. Applications for leave of absence to
cover a longer period in cases of illness, or disability re-
ceived in the service, must be submitted by the postmaster
to the First Assistant Postmaster General with a full state-
ment of the facts, but leave of absence for more than 150
days in one calendar year will not be granted in any such
case. Carriers who desire to be absent for longer periods
will be dropped from the rolls without prejudice.
Sec. 698. Absence without leave.- A letter carrier ab-
senting himself without leave shall forfeit his pay during
the time of such absence, and shall be reprimanded by
the postmaster, or reported to the First Assistant Post-
master General, Division of City Delivery, for suitable
discipline or for removal. (See sec. 29.)
92
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
Sec. 699. Substitute carriers.-When regular carriers are
absent from duty for any cause, their places shall be sup-
plied by substitute carriers if necessary.
2. Substitute carriers shall be assigned to duty by the
postmaster or his representative and must never be called
into service by carriers except in cases of urgent neces-
sity, when it is plainly impossible to notify the postmaster
in time either by telephone or messenger.
NOTE.-As substitutes are paid by the hour, their services are not
restricted to eight hours daily nor to service within any number of
consecutive hours.
Sec. 700. Hours of service.- * * * Letter carriers in the City
Delivery Service * * * shall be required to work not more than
eight hours a day: Provided, That the eight hours of service shall not
extend over a longer period than ten consecutive hours, and the sched-
ules of duty of the emplyees shall be regulated accordingly.
In cases of emergency, or if the needs of the service require, letter
carriers in the City Delivery Service * * * can be required to work
in excess of eight hours a day, and for such additional services they
shall be paid extra in proportion to their salaries as fixed by law.
Should the needs of the service require the employment on Sunday
of letter carriers in the City Delivery Service, * * ** the employees
who are required and ordered to perform Sunday work shall be allowed
compensatory time on one of the six days following the Sunday on
which they perform such service.
2. Postmasters shall prepare for the guidance of carriers
in their work a time schedule made on the basis of eight
hours' work each week day and so arranged as to provide
only such time as is absolutely necessary for the legitimate
duties of each carrier. The hours of daily service need
not be continuous, but they must be within 10 consecu-
tive hours. A copy of the schedule shall be submitted to
the First Assistant Postmaster General, Division of City
Delivery, for approval, and any change in schedule shall
be promptly reported to him.
3. Each carrier shall be furnished with a copy of the
schedule under which he is required to work.
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
93
4. No carrier should be scheduled for more work than
he can perform during eight hours. Carriers need not be
required to consume exactly eight hours each day but as
nearly such time as practicable, considering the varying
amount of mail to be handled on different days. Post-
masters shall not direct or permit carriers to work over-
time except in cases of emergency.
Sec. 701. Employment and time of carriers.--Letter car-
riers shall not report prior to schedule time for the first
trip of the day, nor for the beginning of a trip following a
“swing.”
2. Carriers shall not rcmain at their desks nor in the
working room of the office during a "swing" or interval
between trips, nor during the dinner hour; neither shall
they remain in the post office after completing the last
trip of the day.
3. Carriers engaged exclusively in the collection service
shall not be allowed to remain in the workroom of the office
except while depositing and facing the mail collected by
them.
4. Carriers shall register on the automatic-clock register
upon reporting, leaving, returning, and ending for each
trip which begins and ends at the post office. The time
.
from the clock tapes shall be copied into the time book
or pasted into a suitable book and preserved, and will con-
stitute the official record of time. Should the clock reg.
ister be out of order the time recorded by carriers on their
time cards shall be entered in the time book.
5. One carrier shall not register on the clock for another.
If this rule is violated both the carriers concerned are
liable to removal.
6. The time of reporting, leaving, returning, and ending
for each trip shall also be recorded by the carriers on their
time cards; the entries on these cards shall be made at
94
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
the beginning and end of each trip, and not be deferred
until the close of the day.
7. When collections are made in the morning, on the
carrier's way to the office, the first and second entries on
the time card shall be the time of opening the first box.
8. When a carrier completes his delivery on his route
and does not return to the post office the time recorded
on his time card for returning and ending on that trip
shall be the time of delivery of his last piece of mail.
9. Carriers or superintendents of delivery or station
shall not conceal the fact that overtime has been made;
nor shall carriers whose duties require less than eight
hours a day expand the actual working time on their
routes, nor attempt to record unnecessary time in order
that their trip reports may show eight, or approximately
eight, hours' work.
10. When carriers are unable to deliver all mail matter
taken out on the last trip of the day without making over-
time, they shall return to the post office within the eight
hours prescribed with the undelivered mail; and such
failure shall be reported to the postmaster or the superin-
tendent of the station, and a full statement also be made
on Form 1571 of the day.
11. Every letter carrier shall keep a route book, which
should be a complete directory of the persons served by
him, and all changes of address should be posted daily.
12. Carriers shall not perform clerical work. Their
duties shall be restricted to (1) the collection and deliv-
ery of mail, (2) the routing of mail for delivery, (3) the
forwarding of mail addressed to their routes and the trans-
fer of mail of former patrons whose addresses have been
changed to other routes, (4) the indorsing of undeliverable
mail, (5) the receipting for and recording of registered

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
95
mail, (6) the posting of route books, (7) the facing of mail
collected by them whenever such work will not retard
collections, and (8) to serving at carriers' delivery win-
dows.
13. A letter carrier shall not be designated as superin-
tendent, foreman, captain, or sergeant of carriers, or given
supervision of or authority over other carriers.
14. Postmasters shall see that copies of these instruc-
tions are conspicuously posted in the workrooms of the
post office and postal stations.
Sec. 702. Route cards.-Postmasters shall require letter
carriers to fill out route cards showing the order in which
their routes are served and to file copies of the same in the
post office. New route cards shall be filled out whenever
changes are made.
Sec. 703. Performance of service.-In the performance
of their duties letter carriers must be civil, prompt, and
obliging.
2. Carriers shall attend quietly and diligently to their
- duties, shall not loiter or stop to converse on their routes,
and shall refrain from loud talking, profane language, and
smoking in the office or on their routes.
3. Carriers shall not drink intoxicating liquor while on
duty, nor in public places while in uniform. Any carrier
who becomes intoxicated while on duty, or who is ad-
dicted to intemperance, will be removed from the service.
4. Carriers shall not engage in any business during their
prescribed hours of service, or conduct any business after
hours which offers the temptation to solicit patronage on
• their routes, or which, by reason of their position in the
Government service gives them special advantage over
competitors. They shall be governed in their conduct by
the requirements of section 171.
96
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
Sec. 704. Discipline.—Letter carriers may be repri-
manded, their promotions withheld, their salaries reduced,
or they may be removed from the service for infractions
of the Postal Laws and Regulations, of orders of the de-
partment, and of orders of the postmaster not inconsistent
therewith, as the nature or gravity of the offense may
require. They may be suspended with loss of pay only
by approval of the department. In urgent cases authority
therefor may be requested by telegram. (See sec. 688.)
Sec. 705. Debts. A letter carrier shall not be retained
in the service who contracts a debt on the strength of his
official position and then without sufficient excuse neglects
to make payment. (See sec. 171.)
)
NOTE.-Sections 171 and 705 apply to both clerks and carriers.
Sec. 706. Delivery of mail matter.—The regulations as
to the delivery of mail matter shall apply to the delivery
of such matter by letter carriers, except where inapplicable
or as otherwise modified herein.
Sec. 707. Care in delivery of mail.-Carriers shall be
careful to deliver mail to the persons for whom it is in-
tended, or to some one authorized to receive it. They
shall, in case of doubt, make inquiry with the view of
ascertaining the owner. Failing in this, the mail shall be
returned to the office, to be disposed of as the postmaster
may direct.
Sec. 708. Delivery of mail by carrier.—Carriers shall not
deliver mail matter to patrons in the street unless such
delivery can be made without unreasonable delay.
2. Mail matter shall not be delivered by carriers in
boxes or other receptacles at premises not occupied in
whole or in part by the addressees unless expressly ordered
by the postmaster.
3. Carriers shall not throw mail matter into windows or
halls unless specially instructed to do so. When provi-

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
97
sion is not made for the delivery of mail into private re-
cepta cles the carrier shall ring the bell, wait a reasonable
time for an answer, and deliver the mail to some one in
the household in the habit of receiving it. Patrons who
repeatedly fail to respond promptly to the carrier's ring
shall be reported to the postmaster.
4. Carriers shall not enter any house while on their
trips, except in the discharge of their official duties.
5. Carriers shall not deliver mail matter which has not
passed through the post office or station with which they
are connected.
6. Mail matter intrusted to carriers shall not be exhibited
to persons other than those addressed, except on the order
of the postmaster or some one authorized to act for him.
7. Letters for delivery shall not be carried by carriers in
their pockets.
8. Carriers shall not deviate from their respective routes
nor stop for their meals while on their trips.
9. Carriers shall not throw away or improperly dispose
of mail matter, however trifling or unimportant it may
appear to them.
10. Stamps shall not be removed from mail matter
intrusted to carriers for delivery or collected by them for
mailing.
Sec. 709. Delivery of mail by mounted carriers. —
Mounted carriers shall dismount and deliver the mail at
the doors of residences or into receptacles, except in cases
where the patrons on their routes consent to respond to
their call and receive the mail at the sidewalk.
Sec. 710. Delivery at houses where vicious dogs are
kept.--Carriers are not required to deliver mail at resi-
dences where vicious dogs are permitted to run at large.
Persons keeping such dogs must call at the post office for
their mail.
28676--149
98
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
Sec. 711. Collection of postage due.-Carriers shall col-
lect and promptly return to the postmaster all postage
due on mail intrusted to them for delivery, as indicated
by the postage-due stamps attached. Such mail matter
must not be delivered until the postage due shall have
been paid.
Sec. 712. Collection of mail matter from receiving
boxes.-When carriers, making collections from letter
boxes, find that it will be impossible on any one trip to
carry to the post office the contents of all the boxes on
their routes, preference shall be given to mail matter of the
first class. Newspapers and packages placed on the tops
of letter boxes should be collected when it can be done
without overloading the mail sacks and preventing the
prompt collection of mail matter properly deposited in
the boxes.
Sec. 713. Carriers to receive matter for mailing.-Car-
riers, while on their routes, shall receive letters with post-
age stamps affixed, handed them for mailing, but they
should not delay their deliveries by waiting for such let-
ters. Money to pay postage on letters tendered to them
for mailing shall not be accepted.
2. Carriers should also receive other small articles of
mailable matter with postage properly prepaid, but they
should refuse to receive packages that are cumbersome on
account of size, shape, or weight, especially when the
carrying of such packages would interfere with the prompt
delivery of mail and the collections from letter boxes.
3. Carriers shall receive and register all letters and pack-
ages of first-class matter that are not cumbersome on ac-
count of size, shape, or weight, and properly offered them
for registration, and shall give the regulation receipt
therefor.

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
99
Sec. 714. Matter collected or received by carriers not to
be returned to senders.--Carriers shall not return, under
any circumstances, to any person any letter or letters said
to have been deposited in a letter box, or which have come
into the custody of the carrier in a regular way. An
applicant for the return of such mail should be directed
to the postmaster. (See secs. 552 and 553.)
Sec. 715. Return undelivered mail, satchels, etc., to
office at night.-After the last daily delivery carriers shall
return to the post office or station with which they are
connected their satchels and all mail that can not be de-
livered, except that when, in the opinion of the post-
master, the interests of the service will be promoted
thereby, carriers may be permitted take their satchels
home with them direct from their routes, but undelivered
mail matter remaining in satchels shall first be deposited
in the nearest letter box.
Sec. 846. Special-delivery offices.-Every post office is
designated as a special-delivery office.
Sec. 847. Persons employed in postal service to expe-
dite special-delivery matter.-Postmasters and all persons
employed in the postal service shall facilitate in every
way the prompt dispatch, transmission, and immediate
delivery of all special-delivery matter. Where delivery
is possible, failure to deliver will not be considered
excusable.
2. Any disregard of the regulations relative to the
special-delivery service, or failure to give proper atten-
tion to special-delivery matter, should be reported to the
First Assistant Postmaster General, Division of City
Delivery
Sec. 851. Rate on special-delivery matter.-The charge
for special delivery of mail matter shall be 10 cents for
each piece, to be prepaid by a special-deliverv stamp, or
100
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
by 10 cents in ordinary stamps, affixed thereto in addition
to the lawful postage.
2. If ordinary stamps are used, the words “Special de-
livery” should be plainly written directly under, but
never on, the stamps.
Sec. 852. Postage on special-delivery matter.- * * * The
omission by the sender to place the lawful postage upon a letter bearing
such special-delivery stamp and otherwise entitled to immediate deliv-
ery under the provisions of this section (sec. 845) shall not hinder or
delay the transmission and delivery thereof as provided herein, but
such lawful postage shall be collected upon its delivery, in the manner
now provided by law for the collection of deficient postage resulting
from the overweight of letters. (See sec. 590.)
2. The foregoing provision permitting the dispatch of
mail matter bearing a special-delivery stamp without pre-
payment of postage applies to letters only.
3. Mail matter of the first class other than letters, when
prepaid one full rate (2 cents) by stamps affixed in addi-
tion to the special-delivery stamp, shall he dispatched
with the deficient postage rated thereon; but such matter
with postage wholly unpaid, although bearing a special-
delivery stamp, shall be held for postage.
4. Wholly unpaid and insufficiently prepaid matter of
the second, third, or fourth class, although bearing a
special-delivery stamp, shall be held for postage.
5. Due postage at the single rate only shall be required
of the addressee on special-delivery letters transmitted
without any prepayment of postage; but all other special-
delivery matter which through inadvertence reaches its
destination with no prepayment of postage shall be charged
with postage due at double rates. (See secs. 397, 589,
and 590.)
6. On partially prepaid special-delivery matter the defi-
cient postage shall be collected on delivery, the same as
on other short-paid matter.
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
101
Sec. 853. Making up and dispatch of special-delivery
matter.-Special-delivery letters should be made up in
separate packages when there are five or more for the same
place or route; if less than five they should be placed at
the top of the package. When the package is for a route
or “dis.” the slip should be placed across the package so
as to expose the stamps, the lower third of the slip being
turned in to inclose the special-delivery matter.
2. Matter of the second, third, and fourth classes, bear-
ing special-delivery stamps, shall be dispatched with first-
class matter. If possible, it should be tied in a bundle
in such a manner as to disclose its nature immediately on
the pouch being opened.
Sec. 855. Delivery of special-delivery matter.- Post-
masters shall, immediately after opening the mails and
upon the receipt of local or drop matter in the post office,
separate the matter bearing special-delivery stamps, and
impress with the receiving stamp of the office, or write on
the envelope or wrapper, the name of the office and the
date and hour when the matter arrives. The matter shall
be numbered and entered numerically in a record pro-
vided for that purpose, with full particulars contemplated
by that record.
Sec. 856. Record of special-delivery matter. The postmaster
*** (at every special-delivery post office) shall keep a record of the
number of * * * (articles) received at such office bearing such special
(delivery) stamp.
2. Postmasters must enter on the record, under the
head of “Remarks,” the reason for its nondelivery, or for
any delay in its delivery, if either occurs, and a statement
in each case of the subsequent action taken. When an
article is registered, that fact should be noted and a proper
entry also made in the regular record of registered matter.
Sec. 857. Hours of special delivery.-Special-delivery
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POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
matter shall be delivered at city-delivery offices from
7 a. m. to 11 p. m. and at all other post offices from 7 a. m.
till 7 p. m., and after the arrival of the last mail, provided
this is not later than 9 p. m. Special orders may be made
fixing later hours for delivery in particular cases.
2. Special-delivery matter shall be delivered at post
offices of the first and second classes on Sunday and at
other offices if open on Sunday. Special delivery shall be
made at all offices on holidays. (See secs. 283 and 284.)
3. When special-delivery matter arrives on Saturday
night too late for delivery, or on Sunday morning, except
where deliveries are made on Sunday, the postmaster
should put a notice thereof in the addressee's box, or in
the general delivery, if he have no box, and deliver the
matter on call; and if such matter is not called for, prompt
delivery should be made on Monday.
Sec. 858. All reasonable efforts to be made to effect
delivery of special-delivery matter.—All reasonable efforts
shall be made to deliver special-delivery matter before it
is placed in the regular mail for delivery in the usual way.
If it is incorrectly addressed to street or number, it should
be promptly delivered, if the correct address is known or
can be ascertained. Matter addressed to a person at his
place of business should be delivered at his residence, if
delivery at place of business be impossible, and vice versa.
Sec. 859. Registered special-delivery matter.—Where
special-delivery matter is registered the usual registry
receipts, in addition to the special-delivery receipts, shall
be taken, and all other requirements of the registry system
shall be observed.
Sec. 860. Forwarding of special-delivery matter. -After
special-delivery matter has been taken out for delivery
and returned with the information that the person ad-
dressed has removed to the delivery of another office, and
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
103
such matter is then forwarded, it is not entitled to special
delivery at the office of second address. Such matter
should be indorsed by the forwarding postmaster, “For-
warded, delivery fee paid by office of first address.” But
where a forwarding order has been given by the addressee
in advance of the arrival of the matter, so that no attempt
to deliver is necessary, it should be forwarded with the
indorsement, “Forwarded, fee not claimed,” and the
postmaster at the office of final destination shall make
special delivery and be entitled to the regular fee therefor.
Special-delivery matter forwarded from one post office to
another without any indorsement shall be taken out for
immediate delivery the same as if indorsed, "Forwarded,
fee not claimed,” and the facts, with particulars, reported
to the First Assistant Postmaster General, Division of City
Delivery. The failure of postmasters to properly indorse
special-delivery matter may deprive them of the fee to
which they would otherwise be entitled. (See sec. 595.)
Sec. 861. Undelivered special-delivery matter. -Special-
delivery matter which can not be delivered shall be treated
in accordance with the regulations governing the return
of other undelivered matter. (See secs. 632 to 639.)
Sec. 864. Substitute carriers and clerks.—At city-
delivery offices postmasters should employ substitute car-
riers and clerks, preferably the former, instead of boys, as
special-delivery messengers, where the volume of such
business is sufficient to warrant these employees in taking
up the work and the conditions are otherwise favorable;
but boys 16 years of age or over may be so employed when,
in the judgment of the postmaster, circumstances require
it or he is of the opinion that the efficiency of the service
will be promoted thereby.
2. The force of special-delivery messengers in each
office shall be so arranged that a suitable number may
104
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
always be on hand to secure immediate delivery of all
special-delivery matter at any time within the prescribed
hours of the day.
3. When delivery of special-delivery matter can not
be made promptly by regular special-delivery messen-
gers, postmasters may cause such delivery to be made
by any regular clerk or employee, who shall be allowed
the same compensation and be paid and give receipt
therefor in the same manner as regular messengers.
Sec. 865. Number of messengers.-Postmasters should
not employ a greater number of messengers than actually
necessary.
2. Special-delivery messengers shall not make combi-
nations or arrangements with a view to securing a divi-
sion of the total permissible compensation of the month,
and postmasters should, by distribution of work and
assignment of hours of duty, equalize as far as practicable
the compensation of messengers.
*
Sec. 869. Delivery books.-(Special-delivery messengers) upon the
delivery of * * * (every article) will procure a receipt from the
party addressed, or some one authorized to receive it, in a book to be
furnished for the purpose, which shall, when not in use, be kept in the
post office, and at all times subject to examination by an inspector of the
department.
*
*
*
Sec. 870. Failure of messengers to deliver special-
delivery matter.—Whenever special-delivery matter can
not be delivered because there is no person at the place of
address authorized to receive it, the messenger should
leave at such place a notice on Form 3955, properly filled
out, informing the addressee that attempt at delivery has
been made, and that the matter can be obtained by calling
at the office prior to the next delivery by carrier. This
*
*
*
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
105
notice may be placed in the addressee's post-office box, if
he has one.
2. If the matter is not called for after such notice, it
shall be delivered as ordinary mail.
Sec. 871. Special - delivery matter delivered by car-
riers. Whenever a special-delivery matter can be
promptly delivered by a letter carrier on his regular trip,
it may be given to him for that purpose, but he shall not
be allowed any compensation therefor. The carrier should
.
be provided with a delivery book, and a receipt shall be
taken by him the same as in case of delivery by mes-
senger
Sec. 872. Carriers, etc., receiving special-delivery mat-
ter for mailing.-Letter carriers, whether assigned to de-
livery or collection duty, and special-delivery messengers
shall receive all prepaid matter bearing a special-delivery
stamp which may be handed to them on their trips; and
shall keep such matter separate from other mail, and
deliver it to the proper clerk immediately upon their
arrival at the post office. Letter carriers shall not turn
over local matter for special delivery directly to messen-
gers, even though they may be satisfied that it will be
more speedily delivered.
Sec. 877. Registered.-Postmasters shall register all
mailable matter properly prepared and offered for that
purpose except domestic matter of the fourth class. (See
secs. 488 and 489.)
2. Money sent at the first-class rate and other valuable
matter of the first, second, and third classes sent by mail
should be registered.
Sec. 879. Registration fee.-The fee on registered mat-
ter, domestic or foreign, shall be 10 cents in addition to the
postage for each letter or parcel, both to be fully prepaid
by stamps affixed.
106
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
2. Two or more letters or parcels addressed to, or in-
tended for, the same person, unless inclosed in one envel-
ope or wrapper, shall not be tied or otherwise fastened
together and registered as one.
Sec. 881. Preparation of matter for registration.—Post-
masters and other postal employees, before receiving mat-
ter for registration, shall require it to be legibly and cor-
rectly addressed, to bear the name and address of the
sender, the necessary stamps to pay postage and fee, and,
if a return receipt is requested, the words “Receipt
desired.”
2. Letters and other first-class matter shall be placed in
an envelope or wrapper, sealed, and strong enough safely
to carry them. An unsealed parcel containing first-class
matter shall not be accepted for registration until it has
been sealed. If the sender refuses to seal a domestic
parcel containing other than first-class matter, on which
postage is prepaid at the first-class rate, its acceptance for
registration as first-class mail shall be declined; but it
may be accepted for registration as second or third class
mail, according to its nature. In such case the cover of
the parcel and the sender's registration receipt should
show the class of matter as accepted.
3. The envelopes or other covers for coin or heavy
articles should be as strong at least as the envelopes pro-
vided by the Post Office Department for making remit-
tances of postal and money-order funds. Coin in bulk,
or heavy articles of medium or large size, when sent in
registered letters, shall be sewed in canvas or material of
equal strength, then wrapped in strong paper and securely
sealed. No letter which bears the appearance of having
been opened and resealed should be accepted for regis-
tration.
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
107
4. Matter indefinitely addressed, or addressed to ficti-
tious names, to initials, or to box numbers simply, shall
not be accepted for registration. This applies to the names
and addresses of senders as well as addressees.
Sec. 882. Receipt to be given at time matter is ac-
cepted.-At the time of accepting an article for registra-
tion the postmaster shall issue to the sender a receipt from
the registration receipt book (Form 1549, 1549-B, or
1549-A). If the article bears words restricting its delivery,
or requesting a return receipt, the registration receipt and
the registration record shall be indorsed to indicate the
fact.
*
Sec. 884. Registration of matter found in ordinary
mail.—An article acceptable for registration, found in the
ordinary mail drop, marked to show that it is intended for
registration, shall be taken from the ordinary mail at the
office of origin and registered. The employee who registers
the article shall receipt for it to the mailing branch of the
office and mail a registration receipt to the sender, with
a notice cautioning him against mailing matter for regis-
tration in the ordinary mail drops.
2. If an article has been marked “Registered” but,
because it does not fulfill all requirements for registration,
is not registered, the words "Not in the registered mail"
shall be placed on the cover.
*
*
*
Sec. 885. Registered matter. - All registered matter shall
be kept separate from ordinary matter and properly pro-
tected from accident or theft.
Sec. 886. Registry return receipt.-A registry return re-
ceipt shall be filled out and accompany every article
addressed to a post office in the United States or its poses-
108
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
sions when indorsed “Receipt desired” or with similar
words. (See secs. 882 and 931.)
2. Senders' return receipts accompanying registered
mail shall be securely fastened to the article. Receipts
found loose in the mails should be assembled with and
fastened to the registered articles to which they belong,
but if this can not be done the loose receipts should be
destroyed.
Sec. 888. Correction of address before dispatch.—When
a receipt has been inadvertently given for a registered
piece which before dispatch is found to be unmailable,
either because of noncompliance with the requirements of
the regulations or because it is addressed to a place not
listed in the Postal Guide as a post office, the sender shall
be notified and permitted to correct the address.
*
*
*
*
*
Sec. 889. When matter becomes registered.–After a
receipt has been given therefor, as prescribed in preceding
sections, the article becomes registered.
Sec. 890. Registry mark.-All registered matter shall be
plainly marked on its face “Registered,” in bold letters,
and when possible in red, the original registration number
being placed immediately under such word. This indorse-
ment, if practicable, shall be placed in the upper left por-
tion of the address side of the article or directly above the
address. Articles too small to contain the word “Regis-
tered” shall be similarly marked with the letter "R,'' to
be followed by the original registration number. Registered
articles received at United States exchange offices or at rail-
way post offices from foreign countries shall be marked at
such offices " Registered” or “R” above or near the original
foreign registration number.
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
109
2. Postmasters shall see that the county is plainly
marked on each registered article near the lower left cor-
ner of the address side, unless it is addressed to some office
which is excepted from this requirement. (See sec. 1018.)
3. A legible impression of the postmarking stamp shall
be placed twice on the back of each letter and other sealed
article, as nearly as practicable at the crossings of the
upper and lower flaps. The postmark shall not be placed
on the face of first-class registered mail. All other matter
shall be legibly postmarked on the address side.
Sec. 891. Registered-package receipts.-All registered
matter dispatched in iron-lock mail bags shall be accom-
panied with a registered-package receipt card (Form 1556)
or a manifold bill (Form 3853), describing each registered
article.
2. In making out registered-package receipts, the send-
ing post office or postal employee shall fill in the blanks
provided for the return address, and on the reverse side
of the card shall make the required entries. (See sec. 986.)
The receipt shall be postmarked at the lower left corner
with date of its dispatch. (See sec. 883.)
3. Transit articles, as well as articles of local origin, shall
be entered on the same receipt. (See sec. 900.) No
blanks should be left between the entries, and after the
last entry a diagonal line should be drawn from the left
side to the lower right corner.
4. If blank lines or spaces are left on the receipt by the
sending office, the receiver should fill them with waved
lines or receipt for the mail on the line immediately under
the last-described article.
5. The entries and signatures on registered-package
receipt cards shall be made with pen and ink or indelible
pencil, and in railway post offices with pen and ink or

28676--14--10
110
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
pencil. Stamped signatures are forbidden. (See sec.
930.)
Sec. 895. Undelivered registered matter found in ordi-
nary mails.-Registered matter which has not been prop-
erly delivered if found in the ordinary mails shall be taken
up and given all the safeguards provided for registered
matter, and a report of the finding made to the Third
Assistant Postmaster General.
2. Matter properly prepared and evidently intended for
registration, but which has been mailed without being
registered, shall not be withdrawn for registration at an
office other than that of origin.
3. Registered matter which has not been marked "Reg-
istered” by the mailing postmaster shall be so indorsed by
the first postal employee noting the irregularity.
Sec. 896. Registered matter.- Registered matter and
package receipts shall not be dispatched in a newspaper
or tie sack, except when the use of lead-sealed sacks is
specially authorized.
2. When dispatched in iron-lock or brass-lock pouches,
registered matter shall be tied with the ordinary mail,
whenever practicable, and placed on the top of the local
or No. 1 working package, immediately under the facing
slip, together with the registered-package card, receipt, or
sheet bill. Registered mail shall not be included in city
packages unless inclosed in a direct pouch for the city
addressed, nor in State packages. When there is special-
delivery mail and registered mail for dispatch at the same
time, the former should be placed immediately under the
facing slip on top of the latter.
3. The word “Registered,” in bold letters, shall be
plainly stamped or marked on the facing slip covering the
package containing the registered matter.
*
*
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
111
Sec. 897. Delivery of registered mail to mail messen-
ger or carrier.-Registered mail shall not be delivered to
a mail messenger or mail carrier without first being in-
closed in a locked pouch, except as herein provided.
2. A registered article too large for inclosure in a sack
or pouch shall be dispatched outside of the pouch and
hand-to-hand receipt obtained therefor when practicable.
3. When it is impracticable to obtain a hand-to-hand
receipt for an outside piece, it should be dispatched with
the pouch and the registered-package receipt or manifold
bill inclosed in the pouch shall designate the article as an
outside piece. In such cases receipts may be taken from,
and obtained by, the mail carrier or mail messenger if
practicable; otherwise notation shall be made on the dis-
patching record showing to whom and when the article
was delivered, and delivery made in the presence of a
witness, if practicable. (See secs. 900, 923, 924, and 985.)
Sec. 898. Certification to proper dispatch.-Postal em-
ployees shall be prepared at any time to make affidavit
that any particular registered piece, jacket, sack, or pouch
was either given to another employee of the postal service
or left the office in a pouch properly locked and labeled,
and was sent by the proper route. When practicable, two
persons should be present at and witness the pouching of
the dispatch, and also the receipt of registered mail, and
write their names or initials as evidence thereof in the
transit, delivery, or other proper record. In dispatching
registered with ordinary mail, the registered matter shall
be placed in the pouch last, just before the pouch is locked
and delivered to the person authorized to receive it.
.
2. In dispatching and delivering registered mail it shall
be arranged, as far as possible, in the order in which it is
entered on the dispatching record or accompanying regis-
tered-package receipt or manifold bill.
112
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
*
*
Sec. 901. Registered cases and other bulky or fragile
articles for catcher stations.--Bulky or fragile registered
articles, liable to injury or to injure other mail if thrown
from moving cars, shall not be sent to railway post-office
trains which do not stop at the post offices to which the
articles are addressed, if they can be dispatched to railway
post-office trains that do stop at such offices. *
Sec. 906. Registered matter in catcher pouches.-Post-
masters at offices using a catcher pouch shall place regis-
tered articles therein for dispatch the last thing before
locking, so that when the pouch is hung for catching the
registered articles will rest at its mouth.
Sec. 919. Registered matter to be carefully examined on
receipt.-When a postal employee receives a registered
letter or parcel, or a paper or sack jacket, he shall carefully
examine it, and, if in bad condition, note on the envelope
or wrapper and on the records a statement of the facts
over his signature or office stamp. No “Record of transit"
need be made on registered jacket envelopes or jacket tags
except at the office of delivery and when the mail is re-
ceived in bad condition or 'missent.
2. If registered tags are torn off in transit they shall be
securely reattached to the mail from which they became
separated.
Sec. 927. Matter received for delivery, how treated,
receipt for.--Every postal employee who opens a pouch
containing registered mail shall sign the accompanying
package receipt and write, in words, within the rectangle
after his signature, the total number of articles described
in the receipt and received by him, postmark the receipt
on the address side, and return it by next mail, without
cover of an envelope or postage.
2. Before signing the receipt the postal employee shall
correct any errors which it may contain, and note upon it

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
113
any irregularities observed in connection with the articles
described therein.
3. If a sheet-registry bill instead of a package-receipt
card accompanies registered mail in an iron-lock or brass-
lock pouch, the coupon of the bill shall be similarly
signed, postmarked, and returned under cover of an official
penalty envelope. (See sec. 891.)
4. In opening and working mixed mails, employees
shall check and receipt for the registered mail before dis-
posing of the ordinary mail. Ordinary mail shall be care-
fully scrutinized to ascertain whether any unrecorded
registered mail has been placed therein. (See secs. 884
and 895.)
Sec. 929. Registered jacket envelopes.—A postmaster in
opening a registered jacket envelope (see sec. 1015) con-
taining matter for delivery at his office shall cut the en-
velope on the end so as not to detach any part of it. The
initials of the person opening such envelope shall be
indorsed on it and the articles therein compared with the
bill, which shall be signed, postmarked, and filed. (See
secs. 1006 and 1007.)
2. Letters and parcels shall be examined as to their
condition, postmarked on the back, and recorded at once
in the delivery book or other proper record.
3. When the office from which a registered letter or
parcel is received is not the office of origin, the names of
both offices should be recorded.
4. Official matter addressed to a postmaster shall be
recorded and receipted for the same as other registered
mail. (See sec. 894.)
Sec. 930. Receipts.-Receipts for registered mail shall
be written, not stamped. When conditions require it,
the initials of the receiving postal employee may be
114
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
omitted, except when two employees in the post office or
railway post office have the same surname.
Sec. 931. Return receipt.-Whenever the sender shall so request, a
receipt shall be taken on the delivery of any registered mail matter,
showing to whom and when the same was delivered, which receipt shall
be returned to the sender, and be received in the courts as prima facie
evidence of such delivery.
2. Both the delivery book and the return receipt, if
requested, shall be signed by the person accepting deliv-
ery, and they shall show the actual date of delivery, the
person receipting for the article being requested to write
or stamp such date on the registry return-receipt card.
If this request is not complied with, the postal employee
shall write or stamp such date on the card. When the
quantity of registered mail justifies, a stamped signature
showing the names of both the addressee and his agent
may be authorized by the Third Assistant Postmaster
General, provided the addressee assumes responsibility
for any improper use of the stamp.
3. When registered mail is signed for by an, authorized
agent of the addressee the names of both the addressee
and agent should appear on the card. The return receipt,
after being properly signed and postmarked, shall be
promptly mailed to the sender of the article.
4. If no registry return receipt accompanies a regis-
tered article bearing the indorsement "Receipt desired,"?
or similar words, the delivering postmaster, or other
postal employee, shall prepare one and treat it as though
it had accompanied the article. If a domestic registered
article does not bear the indorsement mentioned, but is
accompanied with a properly addressed return-receipt
card, a receipt should be obtained thereon and the card
mailed to the sender.
Sec. 934. Registry notices at carrier offices.-At carrier-
delivery offices the addressee of registered mail not deliv-
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
115
erable to a house, business, or rural-route address shall be
immediately notified of its arrival, on Form 1525 or 3849-A,
postmarked, and placed in addressee's box, if he has one;
otherwise, in the general delivery. When it is necessary
to send a registry notice to a guest at a hotel or by car-
rier, it shall be inclosed in a sealed penalty envelope.
2. Registry notices bearing delivery or forwarding
orders shall be retained on file in the post office.
Sec. 935. Delivery of registered matter.-Registered
mail the delivery of which has not been restricted by the
sender or addressee may be delivered-
(a) To the addressee.
(6) To a person authorized by the addressee in writing
to receive it.
(c) To such person other than the addressee as the
sender, after mailing, directs in a written order verified
by the mailing postmaster.
(d) To any responsible person to whom the addressee's
ordinary mail is customarily delivered; except that in the
absence of a written order from the sender or addressee,
mail addressed to a guest at a hotel, occupant of an apart-
ment house, or the like, should not be delivered to the
proprietor, manager, or clerk, unless addressed in his care
or in care of the hotel or house.
(e) As if addressed to the person, firm, corporation,
association, or institution in whose care it is addressed.
2. Identification shall always be required if the appli-
cant for registered mail is unknown. He shall not be
allowed even to examine it until his identity as a person
entitled to receive it is established, and when identified
as such, shall not be permitted to open the envelope or
wrapper until the mail has been delivered and the neces-
sary receipts obtained. In case of doubt as to the suffi-
ciency of the evidence of identity offered, instructions


116
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
*
should be obtained from the Third Assistant Postmaster
General, Division of Registered Mails.
3. The sender of registered mail may restrict its de-
livery by indorsement thereon.
(a) Mail indorsed “Deliver to addressee or order," or
with words of similar import, shall not be delivered except
to the addressee or on his written order.
(6) Mail indorsed “Deliver to addressee only,” or with
words of similar import, shall not be delivered to any
person except the addressee, not even on his written order;
if personal delivery can not be made, the mail shall be
treated as undeliverable. Mail so indorsed, addressed to a
firm, corporation, institution, or the like, may be delivered
to the person duly authorized by the addressee in writing
to receive registered mail so addressed. The word “Per-
sonal" is not to be construed as an indorsement so restrict-
ing delivery. * * *
4. The addressee of registered mail may restrict its
delivery by filing at the post office of address directions
in writing stating to whom delivery may be made, and
such directions must be strictly observed.
5. No exception shall be made to the rules governing
the delivery of registered mail because of relationship of
any nature between the addressee and any person claim-
ing the mail.
6. If the addressee is dead or insane, delivery may be
made to his legal representative. (See secs. 938 and 939.)
7. Registered mail addressed to a minor living with or
under the control of his parents, or dependent on them
for support, or under control of a guardian, is subject to
the parents' or guardian's control unless it be indorsed for
personal delivery, when paragraph 3 applies. In such
cases, if delivery be forbidden by parents or guardian, the
mail shall be so indorsed, and treated as undeliverable.

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
117
8. Registered mail, not of obviously personal nature,
addressed to a former public officer or to a former officer
or employee of a firm, corporation, association, or insti-
tution, by his name and former title, should be delivered
as if addressed to the person holding the title or perform-
ing the duties of the office. If the person named in the
address objects to such delivery, the person to whom
delivery is authorized by this section should be required
to open the mail in the presence of the postmaster, and,
if desired, of the other claimant, or of their representatives,
in order to ascertain for whom it is intended. If after the
mail is opened there remains a doubt as to the proper
delivery, the postmaster should require its return to
him, ascertain the intention of the sender through the
mailing postmaster, and deliver the mail accordingly.
If the person to whom the delivery is authorized by this
section will not consent to such an arrangement, the post-
master should retain the mail and follow the same course.
9. Unknown signatures on written orders for the de-
livery of registered mail shall be verified and the orders
retained on file for four years. Standing orders shall be
complied with until countermanded in writing.
10. Registered letters from the Bureau of Pensions at
Washington, D. C., addressed to a pensioner, a claimant
for pension, or the payee of a pension, shall be delivered
in accordance with the requirements of section 608.
11. Postmasters shall exercise discretion in the de-
livery of registered mail. If there is reason to believe
that the person or institution to whom delivery of regis-
tered mail may be made is not such a responsible person
or institution as would care for and properly dispose of
it, delivery should not be made except to the addressee
or person in whose care it is addressed, or to a repre-
sentative of the addressee or person in whose care it is


118
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
addressed authorized in writing to receive it, or in com-
pliance with a written order from the sender verified by
the postmaster at the office of mailing.
NOTE.- In the absence of knowledge to the contrary the following
should be regarded as responsible persons within the meaning of para-
graph 1 (d) of this section: Adult members of the addressee's family;
his employees in a clerical or supervisory capacity; the proprietor or
manager of a private lodging house in which he resides.
The following should not be regarded as responsible, and no mail
addressed to others should be delivered to them unless they are au-
thorized in writing by the addressee to receive it: Minors, janitors,
laborers, messengers, elevator boys, and house servants.
Sec. 938. Disposition of matter when addressee is
dead. - Registered mail for a deceased addressee may be
delivered to his legal representative. If none, it shall be
returned to the sender with reason indorsed thereon,
unless he, through the mailing postmaster, directs de-
livery to another person. If there is no legal representa-
tive and the article is claimed by a relative of the de-
ceased addressee, such relative may be furnished with the
name and address of sender.
Sec. 940. Responsibility of postmasters for registered
matter.—Postmasters and other postal employees will be
held personally responsible by the Post Office Depart-
ment for the wrong delivery, depredation upon, or loss
of any registered letter or parcel, if such wrong delivery,
depredation, or loss be due to negligence or disregard of
the regulations. (See secs. 881, 900, and 935.)
Sec. 941. Short-paid registered matter.-When domestic
registered mail is received for delivery to the addressee or
restoration to the sender, and the postage and registry fee
have not been fully prepaid, the postmaster shall collect
the deficiency upon delivery. To ascertain amount to be
collected add the registry fee, 10 cents, to the amount

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
119
required for postage and deduct the amount in stmaps
affixed to the letter or parcel.
2. When the addressee refuses to pay the deficiency,
a first-class article shall be treated as directed in para-
graph 3, section 956, and a second or third class article
as prescribed by paragraph 4, section 956; in the latter
case, Form 38561 should be used in communicating with
the sender.
*
*
*
Sec. 942. Forwarding matter.-All registered matter,
except that which has once been properly delivered, may
be forwarded from one post office to another, without
additional charge for registry fee, on payment of the
charges, if any, for transmitting the forwarding request-
(a) Upon the written order of any person to whom
the matter is deliverable at the office of address.
(6) If delivery is restricted, upon the written order of
any person to whom it would be deliverable in the ab-
sence of the restriction.
(c) Upon the written order of the sender or addressee
verified by the postmaster who sends the request.
(d) Upon the telegraphic request from a postmaster
based on the verified written order of the sender or
addressee.
(e) In cases where the postmaster is satisfied that no
fraud is intended, upon a written or telegraphic order
received direct from the sender or addressee.
2. If the postage required for forwarding or returning
other than first-class mail is not received within the
period prescribed by sections 595 and 637, the article
shall be disposed of as an undeliverable registered article.
(See secs. 956 and 957.)
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POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
-
*
*
*
*
3. Written orders to forward mail shall be construed
to apply to both ordinary and registered mail, unless
the contrary is specifically stated.
4. Forwarding orders shall invariably be signed and
retained on file. (See sec. 596.)
Sec. 944. Forwarding and return of matter after deliv-
ery.-A registered article properly delivered shall not be
again received in the registered mails without prepayment
of a new registry fee.
*
Sec. 947. Missent letters or parcels.-When a registered
article is missent to a post office or railway post office the
postal employee receiving it shall indorse the piece and
the registered-package receipt or the manifold bill and
coupon accompanying it “Missent,” sign, postmark, and
return the package receipt or coupon, and enter the article
on the post-office delivery book or railway postal clerk's
registry receipt book as “Missent and forwarded,” showing
the date of redispatch.
2. At post offices where specially authorized systems of
delivering registered mail are in operation “missent” reg-
istered articles shall be treated in accordance with the
special instructions received.
Sec. 948. Misdirected matter. When a postmaster re-
ceives registered first-class matter not addressed, misdi-
rected, or directed to a place not a post office, he shall
record it in his delivery book, or other authorized form, as
“Returned for proper direction,” giving the date, and
return it to the mailing office so marked. (See sec. 957.)
2. A misdirected or unaddressed article prepaid at other
than the letter rate shall be similarly recorded, and the
sender notified to send stamps to prepay return postage.
Upon receipt of the stamps they shall be affixed to the
article, which should then be returned, indorsed as above.
*
*
*
*
*
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
121
Sec. 952. Registered letters received in bad order.--
When a registered letter is received in bad order, it shall
be indorsed over the signature of the postmaster or other
postal employee, “Received in bad order,” and unless it
can be satisfactorily repaired by means of official seals,
shall be reinclosed and sealed in a special registry “bad-
order” penalty envelope (Form 81) or an official penalty
envelope properly addressed, numbered, and postmarked
like the original envelope (which shall not be removed),
and marked “Have this examined on delivery," and re-
corded in the proper record. Any indorsement or other
indications on the original envelope restricting delivery,
requesting a return receipt, or showing that the article is
for special delivery, shall also be noted on the new envel-
ope. Official seals and special penalty envelopes for this
purpose are furnished to presidential post offices and rail-
way mail employees.
2. At the office of delivery the addressee shall be re-
quested to open such letter in the presence of the deliver-
ing postal employee, cutting the envelope at the end so
as to preserve the sealing intact. If any of the contents
be missing, the envelope (both letter and penalty) should
be obtained from the addressee, with his indorsement of
the facts, and sent, with the registered jacket envelope
in which the letter was received, if so received, to the
Chief Inspector, with a full report of the facts.
3. When a registered article which is too large to be
inclosed in an envelope is received in bad order at a post
office it shall be rewrapped and a split bad-order or other
penalty envelope pasted thereon. Such article received
in a railway post office may be inclosed, if practicable, in a
registered jacket envelope bearing the indorsement re-
quired for the penalty envelope; otherwise, it shall be
28676º-14-11
122
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
turned in at the terminus of the postal clerk's run to be
rewrapped at the post office in accordance with this section.
Sec. 953. Matter found loose in pouch, sack, or jacket. -
When money or other small articles are found loose in a
pouch, sack, or jacket in which only one damaged regis-
tered article is contained it may be assumed, in the ab-
sence of evidence to the contrary, that the money or other
article belongs to the damaged registered piece. Both the
damaged registered piece and the money or other article
should be placed in a “bad-order” or ordinary penalty
envelope. When the registered matter is delivered it
should be opened in the presence of the delivering postal
employee for the purpose of ascertaining whether the
money or other article belongs to the damaged piece. If
it is found that the money does not belong to the piece in
which it has been placed, it shall be disposed of in the
manner directed in section 647.
Sec. 954. Letters found unsealed. If a registered letter
arrives at a post office or railway post office unsealed, it
shall be indorsed “Received unsealed," over the signature
of the receiving postal employee, and officially sealed and
treated as directed in sections 952 and 953.
Sec. 955. Matter found without cover in registered jacket
envelope or rotary-lock sack or pouch.-Ifa registered jacket
envelope or rotary-lock sack or pouch contains loose money
or other matter not inclosed in an envelope, the receiving
postal employee shall note all the particulars on the bill
and coupon accompanying the mail, have the statement
signed by two witnesses, if possible, and postmark and
return the coupon to the dispatching office.
*
*
*
*
*

Sec. 963. Witnessing records.-Receipts shall be given
when registered mail of any kind is transferred in either
direction between registry clerks and mailing clerks.
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
123
*
*
*
Mailing clerks shall receipt, postmark, and return all
registered-package receipt cards and coupons of registry
bills arriving with registered matter taken from iron-lock
pouches, and note on the witnessing record the date of
return of similar cards and paste returned coupons over
their counterparts for registered matter originally dis-
patched by them in iron-lock pouches, after which such
return cards and dispatch bills shall be filed. At large
offices a record designed especially for the purpose may
be authorized.
*
Sec. 969. Mail matter not to be surrendered upon serv-
ice of legal process.-Postmasters and other postal em-
ployees shall not surrender registered matter upon the
service of process of attachment, garnishment, or other
legal process. A postmaster or other employee served
with such process shall make answer to the court from
which it issues, setting forth his official character and
the fact that the matter in dispute came into his hands
by virtue of his official authority. If, after such answer,
the court direct the delivery, the postmaster shall request
the suspension of the order until he can communicate
with the Third Assistant Postmaster General, by tele-
graph if necessary, and obtain further instructions.
2. A postal employee summoned to take registry rec-
ords into court shall not permit them to be taken from
his custody, and during the absence of such records as
are in current use at the post office blank record forms
of the same kind shall be used. (See sec. 523.)
Sec. 983. Registered mail.—Registered mail may also
be dispatched under rotary-lock pouches and sacks, regis-
tered jacket envelopes, State pouches, sacks, and jackets,
split paper jackets, brass-lock pouches, and lead-sealed
sacks.

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POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
Sec. 984. Lightest possible equipment to be used.-
Postal employees shall use the lightest equipment prac-
ticable in dispatching registered mail. Pouches or sacks
should not be used when a registered jacket envelope or
a split paper jacket will properly carry the registered
matter.
Sec. 985. Hand-to-hand receipt to be obtained when
possible.-Hand-to-hand receipt shall be obtained for dis-
patches of registered mail in paper jackets or in pouches
or sacks closed with rotary locks, whenever practicable.
Unless it is known that hand-to-hand receipt can be
obtained over the entire route, pouches or sacks used to
inclose registered matter shall not be filled so that they
can not be inclosed in a No. 2 iron-lock pouch.
Sec. 992. Only rotary locks to be used.-None but the
locks intended therefor shall be used in making rotary-
lock dispatches. These locks shall not be used for any
other purpose. (See sec. 883.)
2. Memorandum record of the rotary locks to be re-
turned should be kept and report made when such locks
are not returned within a reasonable length of time, giving
dates and other particulars.
Sec. 996. Labeling and locking pouches and sacks.-
Rotary-lock pouches or sacks shall be labeled before any
articles are placed therein, the articles, tied together in
bundles in order of entry on bill, compared with the bill,
and the bill with the label of the pouch, and the lock
numbers proved correct. The bill and articles should
then be placed in the pouch or sack, which shall be
securely locked.
Sec. 998. Inspection to insure proper locking.-Postal
employees locking pouches and sacks shall shake the
locks and endeavor to turn the shackle to make certain
that the lock is securely fastened. No rotary lock is to
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
125
be used that is broken or wanting in any of its parts, is
imperfect in the operation of its rotary numbers, or is
difficult to unlock; and all locks shall be tested before
use.
Sec. 1001. Examination of pouches, sacks, and locks.-
Postal employees who receive or dispatch rotary-lock
pouches, sacks, or jackets shall carefully examine them
for any damage to the pouches or sacks or discrepancy in
the lock numbers. (See sec. 1003.)
Sec. 1005. Opening of pouches and sacks at receiving
offices.-- Rotary-lock pouches and sacks shall be opened
by two clerks whenever practicable, who shall enter on
the coupon or bill the hour of opening, verify with the
bill the serial letter and the number of the lock. The
contents of the pouch shall be checked against the entries
on the bill and any discrepancies or damage noted on the
bill and coupon, which shall then be postmarked and
signed by the two clerks.
Sec. 1014. Care of locks and keys.- Registry locks and
keys shall be given special care. Rotary locks shall not
be tampered with nor exposed to injury or loss. When
a pouch or sack is opened the lock shall at once be placed
in the safe, if there is one, of the registry branch, and
kept there until needed. Rotary-lock keys shall be at-
tached to the safe by a chain, and may be detached
therefrom only by the postmaster or the clerk in charge,
or by a post-office inspector when he may require it.
When the key is removed by a post-office inspector the
postmaster shall make report of the fact at once to the
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General, Division of Supplies.
Sec. 1028. Brass-lock pouch service. The brass-lock
pouch service is provided for the exchange of registered
126
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
mail in bags fastened with special brass locks between
post offices where the service is mainly over star routes;
also for the exchange of ordinary through mail when it
does not interfere with the proper transaction of the regis-
try business.
Sec. 1031. Care to be taken of brass locks and keys.-
Brass locks and keys shall, as far as possible, remain in
the custody of one person in the office, and such record
kept that it may be shown beyond question who had
possession of a key on any given day.
2. When not in actual use the brass-lock keys shall be
attached by a chain to the inside of the safe, if there be
one in the office.
Sec. 1039. Registration of foreign matter.-Letters and
parcels admissible to the Postal Union mails are registered
in the same way as domestic matter. (See sec. 881.)
2. The address on registered matter for Mexico should
include the Mexican State or Territory, and that for
Canada the Canadian Province, county, or district.
3. Parcels sent by international parcel post, addressed
to any of the countries with which the United States has
parcel-post conventions, except Barbados, Curacao,
Dutch Guiana, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands,
and Uruguay, may be registered the same as other matter;
no extra charge shall be made for the return receipt.
Sec. 1040. Restrictions on registration.--Articles for for-
eign countries shall not be accepted for registration if not
admissible to the ordinary mails for those countries, nor if
addressed to initials only or in lead pencil.
Sec. 1046. Treatment of matter for delivery.-Postmas-
ters receiving registered letters or parcels for delivery,
including parcels by international parcel post, which
originated in foreign countries, shall treat such articles the
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
127
same as domestic registered matter received for delivery,
except as provided in sections 1050 and 1061.
Sec. 1064. Regulations.--City and rural carriers and
clerks in charge of rural stations shall be governed in the
acceptance of mail for registration, and the handling and
delivery of registered matter, by the Postal Laws and
Regulations governing postmasters and other postal em-
ployees, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
2. The regulations in this chapter apply to both city
and rural carriers, unless otherwise stated.
Sec. 1066. Registration of mail by city carriers.-City
carriers shall receive and register all mailable matter of
the first class that is not cumbersome on account of size,
shape, or weight, when properly offered them for registra-
tion, and shall give the regulation receipt therefor.
2. Small packages of matter other than of the first
class, proper for registration (see sec. 877), may also be
registered by city carriers, provided it does not interfere
with their other duties. (See secs. 881, 882, and 1040.)
Sec. 1067. Equipment.—Each carrier shall be furnished
one carrier's registration book (Form 3896), one carrier's
registry delivery book (Form 1560), an indelible pencil,
an adequate supply of registry delivery notices (Form
3849), and such other forms as may be prescribed from
time to time.
*
Sec. 1068. Registered matter.-No unauthorized person
shall be permitted to have access to registry records or
registered mail while in possession of a carrier. Carriers
will be held responsible in case of the loss or depredation
of a registered letter or parcel while in their custody.
Sec. 1069. Carriers not to address mail for or place con-
tents in envelopes.-Carriers shall not address matter ten-
*
*
128
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
dered for registration, place contents in envelopes or seal
them, but may act as agents of patrons, without remunera-
tion, to inclose money orders procured for the remitters,
in addressed envelopes furnished by senders for the pur-
pose, and seal or present the same for registration at the
office or station to which they are attached.
Sec. 1070. Receipt.-Carriers, when out on their routes,
shall have with them the required registry forms, and
immediately upon accepting a letter or parcel for regis-
tration shall issue the prescribed receipt and deliver it to
the sender.
Sec. 1071. Missing receipt, reporting of.-If a carrier
loses his registration book or is unable satisfactorily to
account for a missing receipt, the facts shall be reported
immediately to the post-office inspector in charge of the
division in which the post office is located.
Sec. 1073. Registered mail accepted by city carriers to
be delivered to postmaster and checked with carrier's
records.-Immediately after his return to the distributing
post office or station after serving his route each carrier
shall deliver all matter accepted for registration on the
route (except as provided in sec. 1086), together with the
registration book, to the postmaster or authorized employee,
who shall check the matter received and the money taken
by the carrier for postage and registry fees against the
record in the book. (See sec. 1080.)
2. After mail registered and turned in by the carrier
has been examined and checked and found acceptable,
the postmaster or an authorized employee shall write in
the space provided for the purpose on the red-print sheet
stub and on the black-print sheet of the city carrier's
registration receipt what is known as the “main-office
number” or “distribution number;" that is, the number
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
129
under which the piece of matter registered by a city
carrier is to be dispatched.
3. The distribution number assigned shall also be
used in describing the piece of registered matter on the
registry bill and return receipt, if any, and, in addition,
the city carrier's number on the piece of registered matter
shall be written on the return receipt, if any, over the
distribution number, thus: No. Toot, after which the
carrier's number on the piece of registered matter shall
be canceled, and the distribution number placed thereon
instead.
4. The distribution number for mail registered by all
city carriers attached to the same office shall be one of
a series beginning the first day of July of each year with
No. 1001, the next received from any carrier, No. 1002,
and so on, continuing consecutively throughout the fiscal
year ending June 30. On the first day of July following
the series shall again begin with No. 1001.
5. The distribution or main-office number and the sig-
nature of the postmaster or clerk shall be written on
the stub of the red-print sheet so as to make a carbon
copy on the black-print sheet below, before the black-
print sheet is removed and the book returned to the
carrier.
Sec. 1074. Black-print sheets from carrier's registration
books to be filed.--The black-print sheets taken from the
carrier's registration books shall be filed in the post office
in numerical order, the highest number on top, according
to the carrier registration or distribution numbers on
them, and shall be the permanent office record of articles
registered by carriers attached to a post office or station.
The window registration book shall not be used for record-
ing such matter.
130
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
2. Transit books and the black-print sheets shall be
frequently compared and checked to see that each article
is properly accounted for.
Sec. 1076. Considered registered, when.-A letter or
parcel deposited in a mail box for registration is not regis-
tered mail until the receipt therefor has been issued by
the carrier.
Sec. 1077. Examination by postmasters of matter regis-
tered by carriers.-Postmasters, superintendents of sta-
tions, and other authorized employees shall examine all
letters and parcels registered by carriers to see that the
requirements of the Postal Laws and Regulations have
been complied with. (See secs. 405, 545, 952, and 953.)
Sec. 1078. Excess cash received with mail matter.-
Any cash in excess of the amount required to pay postage
and registry fee shall be handed to the sender on the
carrier's next trip or inclosed in an envelope and depos-
ited in the sender’s mail box. The amount required
shall be noted by the receiving postmaster or authorized
employee directly beneath the amount received, as written
by the carrier, the subtraction being made on the black-
print sheet, so as to show the amount returned to the
sender. (See sec. 780.)
Sec. 1079. Unmailable matter.-When a piece of matter
accepted for registration by a carrier is found to be un-
mailable, if the irregularity can be properly corrected by
the sender without taking the article from the carrier's
custody, the sender shall be permitted to make such cor-
rection. It shall then be returned to the distributing
office or station for dispatch without requiring the pay-
ment of additional postage or registry fee. Corrections so
made shall be noted on the sender's original receipt and
on the office or station records.
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
131
2. If an unmailable piece of matter can not be rendered
mailable by the sender while in the custody of the postal
service, it shall be returned to him with a statement of
the reasons for its rejection, and the black-print sheet
indorsed across the face “Returned to writer," with the
reason therefor. When mail is returned to the sender in
this manner the carrier shall receipt for it by signing his
name and number under the indorsement “Returned to
writer,” the sender's receipt taken on the carrier's deliv-
ery book, and the sender requested to surrender the origi-
nal registration receipt, which shall be similarly indorsed
and signed by the carrier and pasted on the edge of the
stub in the carrier's registration book.
Sec. 1082. Carriers to receipt for registered matter for
delivery.—Carriers shall receipt on the post-office or sta-
tion delivery book for all registered mail handed them at
such office or station for delivery, and also enter complete
descriptions thereof, as well as of transit registered arti-
cles, with ink in their own registry delivery books. (See
sec. 883.)
Sec. 1091. Delivery by city carrier.-Postmasters at city-
delivery offices, unless requested to the contrary by ad-
dressee, shall deliver by city carriers all registered mail
addressed to street and number and to persons whose
address appears in the city or office directory, but when
there is reason to believe that registered mail contains
large sums of money or securities which could not be
delivered by carrier without unusual risk, the addressee
shall be requested to call for it at the post office.
Sec. 1092. Box holder's mail held for desk delivery.-
When the addressee is a box holder, all of his registered
mail should be held for desk delivery unless he requests
that it be delivered by carrier.

132
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
Sec. 1093. Delivery of registered matter by carriers.-
Carriers shall endeavor to deliver registered mail on the
first trip after it is prepared for delivery, unless the ad-
dressee has given orders to the contrary, and shall make
as many efforts each day to deliver such mail as their
trips will permit, unless it clearly appears after any trip
that delivery by them is impossible.
2. After each unsuccessful trial the carrier shall write
in pencil, on the left end or back of the letter or parcel,
the reason for nondelivery, and sign it with his initials
and number and leave a notice (Form 3849) at the ad-
dressee's residence, place of business, or mail box.
Sec. 1094. When delivery can not be effected.-When,
on any day, it is found impossible to deliver a letter or
parcel on that date, it shall be returned to the postmaster,
superintendent, or authorized clerk, and his receipt taken
therefor on the carrier's delivery book or other authorized
form. This shall be done also after the last trip each
day, and after any trip which is followed by the carrier's
lay off, when the delivery book shall also be left, to be
examined and checked by the authorized employee.
2. Undelivered letters and parcels returned by carriers
shall, at each return, be reentered on the post-office or
station delivery book, or other authorized record, and
every time thereafter that they are taken out for delivery
by the carrier he shall receipt for, and reenter them in
his delivery book, unless they are to be delivered under
a card system.
Sec. 1095. Change of address.-Carriers shall not change
the address of any registered letter or parcel, nor shall city
carriers transfer it from one district to another, except
through the registry clerk at the post office or station,
who shall write the new address in red ink if the change
be made on a written order, but if the order is verbal
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
133
it should be so noted over the carrier's initials and num-
ber upon the letter or parcel without changing its address.
Sec. 1096. Registered special-delivery letters.—Regis-
tered letters for special delivery should be intrusted only
to adult employees of a post office, or, if this be not prac-
ticable, only to sworn messengers of undoubted discretion
and good judgment. Postmasters may make delivery of
such letters in person.
2. In delivering special-delivery registered mail the
receipts required for special delivery shall be obtained
in addition to the usual receipts for registered mail.
Sec. 1099. Make up and dispatch of registered mail to
naval vessels.-Postal employees shall make up and dis-
patch registered mail for United States naval vessels in
the same manner as for a domestic destination, except
that the articles shall be transmitted to or in the direction
of the proper United States exchange office as is done in
the case of registered mail for foreign destinations. (See
sec. 1043.) As a rule such mail should be sent to New
York, N. Y., San Francisco, Cal., Seattle, Wash., or
Tacoma, Wash., according to the location of the vessel.
2. Registry jacket envelopes containing registered mail
for United States naval vessels shall be addressed to the
“Navy mail clerk" and indorsed "Navy mail.”
Sec. 1123. Offices upon which orders may be drawn.-
Money orders shall be drawn on the domestic form only
upon all money-order post offices in the United States and
its outlying possessions or dependencies, including the
Canal Zone and Philippine Islands, upon the United
States postal agency at Shanghai, China, and upon post
offices in the foreign countries named in Table 4, section
1189, with which the United States transacts money-order
business on the domestic basis.
See Postal Guide, State list, for money-order post offices.
286760-14 -12
134
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
2. A domestic money order may be drawn payable to
the person making application for issue thereof, if he so
desires.
3. A domestic money order may be drawn upon the
post office of issue, and be paid thereat.
4. Postmasters shall not draw money orders upon any
post office in the United States not designated as a money-
order office. They may be drawn upon branch post offices,
but not upon stations.
Sec. 1124. Payment of orders.-Postmasters shall not
receive or pay out in the transaction of money-order
business any money that is not legal tender by the laws
of the United States, excepting national-bank notes and
silver certificates. (See sec. 333.) At post offices near
the border line between the United States and Canada,
however, Canadian money may be received for and used
in payment of money orders, under such special restric-
tions as the Third Assistant Postmaster General shall
prescribe.
2. Promissory notes shall not be accepted in any case
for the issue of money orders; but in payment therefor
Government paper of any kind (disbursing officers'
checks--which include disbursing postmasters' checks
in payment for rural-delivery service-pension checks,
Post Office Department warrants, etc.) may be received
from responsible persons whose indorsement thereon the
postmaster is willing to guarantee, provided such paper
will be accepted at par by the depository to which the
postmaster remits surplus money-order funds. Subject to
these conditions, such Government paper, including
Postal Savings System checks, may be cashed with surplus
money-order funds, and forwarded for deposit in accord-
ance with section 1241.

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
135
3. Postmasters must accept, and may pay out, the
silver, nickel, and copper coins of the United States in
amounts for which they are legal tender.
See sec. 333, as to mutilated money.
NOTE.-Standard silver dollars of the United States are legal tender
at their nominal value for all debts and dues, public and private,
except where otherwise expressly stipulated in the contract; subsidiary
silver coins-that is, the silver coins of denominations less than $1-
are legal tender in sums not exceeding $10, in full payment of all dues,
public and private; the minor coins-copper, nickel, and bronze-are
legal tender at their nominal value for any amount not exceeding 25
cents in any one payment.
Sec. 1127. Identification of payee by signature.--When
a money order is drawn payable to the remitter and he so
desires, the issuing postmaster shall transmit a specimen
of the remitter's signature to the paying postmaster on
Form 6339 attached to a statement of particulars of the
order or on a separate advice (Form 6006). Across the back
of the coupon he shall write or stamp the words “Speci-
men signature of payee sent per Form 6006.” When a
postmaster has no Form 6339, a slip of paper bearing the
specimen signature and a statement from the issuing post-
master that it is the signature of the payee may be sub-
stituted.
2. When the remitter and payee are different persons,
the issuing postmaster upon request shall attach a speci-
men of the payee's signature to a statement of particulars
of the order on Form 6006 and mail the same to the
paying postmaster in a sealed penalty envelope.
а
Sec. 1128. Fees and limitations.-A money order shall not be issued
for more than one hundred dollars, and fees for domestic money orders
shall be as follows, to wit:
For orders not exceeding two dollars and fifty cents, three cents.
For orders exceeding two dollars and fifty cents and not exceeding
five dollars, five cents.


136
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
For orders exceeding five dollars and not exceeding ten dollars, eight
cents.
For orders exceeding ten dollars and not exceeding twenty dollars,
ten cents.
For orders exceeding twenty dollars and not exceeding thirty dollars,
twelve cents.
For orders exceeding thirty dollars and not exceeding forty dollars,
fifteen cents.
For orders exceeding forty dollars and not exceeding fifty dollars,
eighteen cents.
For orders exceeding fifty dollars and not exceeding sixty dollars,
twenty cents.
For orders exceeding sixty dollars and not exceeding seventy-five
dollars, twenty-five cents.
For orders exceeding seventy-five dollars and not exceeding one hun-
dred dollars, thirty cents.
2. Money orders may be drawn by the Superintendent of the Money-
Order System without the exaction of an additional fee for the pur-
pose of correcting errors made by issuing or paying postmasters.
3. No money order shall be issued for less than 1 cent,
and no order shall contain a fractional part of a cent.
Sec. 1129. Aggregate of orders more than $200.-If
money orders amounting in the aggregate to more than $200
are drawn in any one day on any one post office of the
fourth class, the postmaster shall inform the remitter
that the Post Office Department can not guarantee imme-
diate payment, but will endeavor to effect payment with
as little delay as possible
Sec. 1131. Applications.—The application for a money
order shall be made on the printed form (No. 6001), show-
ing the particulars required to be stated in the money order
and coupon or advice.
NOTE.-If remitter is not a resident of the place where the order is
issued he should be requested to enter his permanent (home) address
at bottom of his application.
2. When the order is payable in a city the full address
of the payee (street and number) should be entered in the
application; but the postmaster shall not decline to issue
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
137
the order if the applicant is unable to give such complete
address.
3. The application, after being given the same number
as on the corresponding order issued, shall be filed for
ready reference and preserved not less than three years.
Sec. 1132. Issue of money orders.---Money orders shall
be drawn from the information contained in the remitters'
applications, but shall not be drawn upon an office which
is not a money-order office.
2. The “State list” of post offices in the annual Postal
Guide should be consulted by the postmaster, if neces-
sary, for the purpose of ascertaining whether there is a
money-order office at the place named in the application.
3. In entering the name of the paying office in the order
the issuing official shall give also the name of the State or
its customary abbreviation. The name of the office itself
shall not be abbreviated.
4. The number of the order to be issued shall be en-
tered in the space provided therefor on the application.
5. The serial number printed on the upper right corner
of the money order and repeated on the stub, coupon,
and receipt shall be used in designating the order in re-
turns and correspondence.
6. Money orders shall be issued strictly in accordance
with the instructions printed thereon and on the cover
of each book of money-order forms.
7. The date affixed to the order and its several parts
by the issuing postmaster shall be the actual date of issue.
(See secs. 55 and 1253.)
8. The stub shall be retained by the issuing postmaster.
9. The coupon shall be delivered to the purchaser with
the order to which it is attached, and shall be attached to
the order when presented for payment. This rule applies
also to orders issued on domestic forms payable in coun-

138
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
tries named in Table 4, section 1189, in which case sepa-
rate advices also shall be sent.
Sec. 1133. Precautions in drawing orders.-An order
shall be made payable to only one person or one firm. An
order must not be drawn in favor of "John Doe and Richard
Roe," or of “John Doe or Richard Roe."
2. If only the surname of the payee be given by the
purchaser the postmaster shall decline to issue the order,
unless the payee's street address and house number be
given for entry with the surname in the coupon; but the
order may be issued without street address
(a) If the single name given is the business name of the
payee, as “Mason's," "Johnson's Store,” or “Madam
Saville."
(6) If the payee is designated only by an official title
indicative of the capacity in which he is to receive pay-
ment, as "Receiver, U. S. Land Office,” or “Cashier,
First National Bank."
(c) If the payee is designated by a name adopted under
membership in a religious order, the name and address
being so combined as clearly to indicate the person
intended, as “Sister Theresa, Academy of Visitation," or
“Brother Joseph, St. Anselmo's College."
3. Money orders may be drawn on branch offices but
not on any station. If an application be made for an
order to be drawn on a station, the order shall be drawn
on the post office only and the name of the station omit-
ted; but orders presented at stations may be cashed under
the same rules as govern payments at the main office.
Sec. 1134. Record of money orders.—Postmasters shall
promptly record in the "Register of orders issued ” all the
particulars of orders issued at their offices, as shown by the
applications therefor; and any subsequent action taken
in reference to any of these orders shall be noted opposite
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
139
the entries thereof in the register under the head of
- "Remarks."
Sec. 1135. Error in order.-If a postmaster has actually
drawn and issued an order on a place at which there is no
money-order post office he shall endeavor to recall it, and
if returned shall treat it as repaid to the remitter or payee,
as the case may be. If it is presented by the remitter it
shall be repaid to him either in money or by the issue of a
new order on a money-order office; if repaid in money the
postmaster shall refund the fee from his private funds;
if repaid by issue of a new order the postmaster shall pay
the fee therefor out of his own funds. If the irregular
order is returned by the payee to the postmaster, the
latter shall charge himself with the additional fee, and
replace the order by issuing another for the same amount,
on such money-order office as the payee may designate,
and shall mail the new order to him without charge for
postage. In such case, if the payee has not receipted the
irregular order, the postmaster, in his official capacity,
may receipt it for him, writing across the back of it the
words “Repaid to payee by issue of order No. —."
2. When an error of any kind has been made in drawing
a money order, and is not discovered until after the same
has been delivered to the purchaser and its issue made an
item of account, the order, in the event of its return in
consequence of such error, shall be treated as repaid to
the remitter, or to the payee intended, as the case may be;
and if the postmaster was at fault he shall refund the fee
from his private funds or pay out of his own funds the fee
for a new order issued in lieu of repayment in money, as
may be desired by the remitter or payee. (See secs. 1164
to 1166.)
Sec. 1136. Change in place of payment.—If, before it
has been taken from the post office, or its issue made an
140
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
item of account in the cashbook and register of orders
issued, an order regularly drawn is returned by the remitter
with request for a change in the place of payment, or for
any other change therein, such order shall be treated as
“Not issued” (see sec. 1145) and a new order issued in its
stead, drawn upon such money-order office as the remitter
may designate. A new application, however, must be
filed, and the words “Not issued” written across the face
of the first application; and if there is a change in the
amount of the order the difference in fees, if any, shall be
paid by the remitter or refunded by the postmaster, as
the case may be.
Sec. 1137. Request for change in place of payment, etc.- After a
money order has been issued, if the purchaser desires to have it modi-
fied or changed, the postmaster who issued the order shall take it back
and issue another in lieu of it, for which a new fee shall be exacted.
2. If, after it has been taken from the post office and
its issue made an item of account in the cashbook and
register of orders issued, an order regularly drawn is re-
turned by the remitter with request for a change in the
place of payment, or for any other change therein, the
postmaster, provided it has not become invalid by reason
of age (see sec. 1178), shall first require that it be duly
receipted, and then, treating it as repaid, shall issue a
new order in its stead, exacting the usual fee therefor.
Sec. 1138. Advices.-Form 6006 shall be used for "sec-
ond advice” of an order drawn upon an office in any
country named in Table 4, section 1189, and for "separate
advice" of a domestic order payable in the United States
a
when called for because of discrepancy in amount or in
name of payee or for other reason.
Sec. 1139. Advices.-When the issuing postmaster re-
ceives from the paying office a request for a separate or
second advice he shall carefully examine the remitter's

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
141
original application, and if the particulars therein agree
with those reported by the office drawn on as given in the
order and coupon, he shall make out a separate or second
advice accordingly on Form 6006 and promptly mail it to
the paying postmaster. If, however, the application
differs, the issuing postmaster shall, if practicable, consult
the remitter; and in case it is found necessary for the latter
to amend the application shall fill in and mail an advice
agreeing with the application as amended.
2. When the name in the coupon differs from that of
the party claiming to be the payee intended, the post-
master drawn upon shall advise the holder to write to the
remitter and to request him to make such amendment in
his application as may be necessary to enable the issuing
postmaster to furnish a correct separate or second advice.
3. If the remitter can not be found, the issuing post-
master shall fill out an advice (Form 6006) from the appli-
cation as it is, and mail it after writing thereon the words
“Remitter not found” and adding thereto any informa-
tion in his possession which may be of use to the paying
postmaster.
4. When a separate or second advice is furnished, the
fact, with date of the transaction, shall at once be noted
on the application and opposite the entry of the order in
the register of orders issued.
Sec. 1140. M. O. B. stamps.—The special dating stamp,
known as the “M. O. B.” stamp, shall be used for stamp-
ing money orders and advices and upon requisitions for
money-order supplies, but shall not be used in postmarking
letters.
2. When a M. O. B. stamp is lost, stolen, or destroyed,
the ordinary postmarking stamp may be used in transact-
ing money-order business until a new M. O. B. stamp has
• been procured.
142
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
Sec. 1141. Signature of postmaster to orders.—The post-
master may authorize any clerk employed in his office to
sign his name to money orders and advices. The name
of the postmaster shall be written, not stamped, and under-
neath it the clerk shall write his own initials.
2. An acting postmaster may authorize clerks in his
office to sign his name to money orders and advices the
same as a postmaster.
3. When an assistant postmaster or other clerk desig-
nated by the postmaster is in charge of the post office
during the temporary absence or sickness of the post-
master, or upon his death or resignation before an acting
postmaster takes charge, all money orders shall be signed
in the name of the postmaster the same as if he were pres-
ent. An assistant postmaster or clerk designated by the
postmaster may, while in charge of the office, select the
clerks who shall be authorized to issue and sign money
orders.
Sec. 1143. Safety of forms.-Postmasters shall keep their
stock of blank money-order forms in their own custody,
under lock and key, in some place of security to which
unauthorized persons can not have access, and they will
be held responsible for any loss which the department may
suffer arising from fraud made possible through a disregard
of this regulation.
*
*

Sec. 1144. Blank forms.-Forms for money orders, with
attached coupons and receipts, shall bear consecutive
numbers for each money-order office.
2. Every blank money-order form sent to a postmaster
for issue at his office must be duly accounted for in its
proper numerical order in his money-order accounts.
3. Books of money-order forms supplied to an office
should be examined immediately upon receipt, and all
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
143
irregularities therein reported promptly to the Third
Assistant Postmaster General, Division of Money Orders.
4. When a form is omitted from any book the postmas-
ter shall make a note of the fact opposite the proper con-
secutive number in the account in which the order, if
supplied, would have been reported as issued, and a
similar note in the “Register of orders issued.”
5. Defective or mutilated forms with the corresponding
coupon and receipt shall be treated as “Not issued.”
(See sec. 1145.)
6. Where two forms bear the same number, one of them
shall be canceled by writing across the face thereof the
words “Number duplicated,” and be sent, with the cor-
sponding coupon and receipt, to the Third Assistant
Postmaster General, Division of Money Orders.
Sec. 1145. "Not issued” forms.-A form shall be treated
as "Not issued ”
(a) When a mistake is discovered in it before it is de-
livered to the remitter.
(6) When a mistake is discovered in it after delivery to
the remitter, but before it has been taken from the post
office or its issue made an item of account in the cashbook
and register of orders issued.
(c) When order, coupon, or receipt, through defective
printing, mutilation, or disfiguration, is not fit for use.
2. A form included in any of the classes named above
shall be canceled by writing across the face of the order,
of the coupon, and of the stub, and opposite an entry of
the number in the register, the words "Not issued.”
The spoiled order shall be sent to the Auditor with money-
order account; the coupon shall be filed with the coupons
of paid and repaid orders; the stub shall be left in its
place between the covers; and the receipt form shall be
destroyed.


144
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
3. No fee shall be charged for a “Not issued ” order.
Sec. 1148. Payment of orders forbidden at office not
drawn upon.-
*
*
*
*
*
2. Payment of a money order may be made on due
presentation, and credit therefor may be taken at the
office meant, when the name thereof in the money order
is only slightly misspelled, or in such case as where
“Balto." is given in place of Baltimore, “Cin.” in place
of Cincinnati, “Kans. City” in place of Kansas City,
“N. Y.” in place of New York, “Okla.” or “Oklahoma
City” in place of Oklahoma, or “Phila.” in place of Phil-
adelphia. Irregularities of this kind shall be reported by
the paying postmaster to the Third Assistant Postmaster
General, Division of Money Orders.
Sec. 1149. Precautions in paying orders.-When a
money order is presented for payment the postmaster
shall examine it to see that it is properly drawn, signed,
and stamped; that it corresponds exactly with the cou-
pon, and that it is signed by the payee or by the person
authorized by the payee to receive payment. The post-
master shall not refuse to pay a money order issued on
Sunday if it be regular in other respects.
2. The amount of an order shall not be paid until the
original order, or a duplicate thereof issued by the depart-
ment, is presented.
3. Unless the applicant for payment is personally
known by the postmaster or paying clerk to be the right-
ful owner of the order, he should be required to prove his
identity.
4. If the payee or the person applying for payment be
unable to write, his mark shall be witnessed in writing,
in the presence of the postmaster, by a person known to

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
145
the latter. Neither the postmaster nor the paying clerk
shall act as witness.
5. If an order be paid to the wrong person through lack
of precaution on the part of the postmaster, the latter will
be held accountable for the amount of the order.
6. Upon payment on separate advice the advice shall
be attached to the coupon and filed therewith. When
the order and coupon have become separated and the
coupon lost before presentation of the order, application
shall be made on Form 6006 for a separate advice, upon
receipt of which, if it agrees with the order and names
the party claiming to be the payee, and the order is not
invalidated by age, nor otherwise irregular, payment may
be made, and the separate advice, with the date of
pay-
ment stamped thereon, shall be filed in place of the
coupon.
7. In case the name given in separate advice differs
from the name given in the coupon as that of
is that of the person or firm claiming to be the payee,
and the order is not otherwise irregular, payment may
be made on due presentation of the order properly re-
ceipted in claimant's own name. It will not be necessary
to make any notation on the order relative to such dis-
crepancy. (See sec. 1139.)
8. Upon presentation of a money order for payment the
postmaster shall examine it, and in case any discrepancy
whatever is found between the amount written in the
blocks on the right of the order and the sum named in
the coupon, or between the amount written in order or
coupon and the printed figures constituting the marginal
check on the left of the order, the postmaster drawn on,
stating the nature of the discrepancy, shall make appli-
cation immediately to the issuing postmaster on Form
28676-1413
payee, but

146
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
6006 for a correct statement of particulars or separate
advice, which shall be given on the reverse of that form;
and credit shall not be taken for payment in any such
case prior to receipt of response to such application unless
specially authorized by the department. When such
application is made, a memorandum thereof shall be
written on the lower margin of the coupon or on the
back of it by the postmaster, but he shall not retain
possession of order or coupon unless he has made a pay-
ment or an advance thereon as provided in the next
paragraph.
9. In case the amount is omitted in the blocks on the
right of the order, but appears in the coupon, and as there
entered is free of alteration and does not exceed the largest
sum indicated by figures remaining attached to the mar-
ginal check, payment may be made and credit taken
therefor without sending for a separate advice, provided
the amount paid be written by the paying official on the
face of the order, thus: “Paid $- ; amount named
in coupon.” Similarly, if the amount is omitted in the
coupon, but appears in the blocks on the order, and as
there entered is free of alteration and does not exceed the
largest sum indicated by figures remaining attached to the
marginal check, payment may be made and credit taken
therefor without sending for separate advice, provided
the amount paid be written by the paying official across
the face of the coupon, thus: “Paid $ , amount
named in order." Defects of this kind, however, shall be
reported to the Third Assistant Postmaster General,
Division of Money Orders.
10. Payment of an order shall not be withheld because
the amount in the coupon is expressed wholly in figures, if
the amount thus expressed is the same as that entered in


POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
147
the blocks on the right of the order, and does not exceed
the largest sum indicated by the figures remaining attached
to the left of the order. Letters, and not figures, shall
always be employed to express the number of dollars in
the coupon; and the paying postmaster, giving the name
of the issuing office, shall report to the Third Assistant
Postmaster General, Division of Money Orders, every
case where figures instead of letters have been employed
in the space for entry of the number of dollars in the
coupon.
11. In any case of discrepancy between the amount
entered in the blocks on the order and that written in the
coupon payment may be made on receipt of a separate
advice, on Form 6006, naming either of those two
amounts, even if it exceeds the largest amount indicated
by the printed figures remaining attached to the left of
the order, or even if the marginal check has been entirely
removed, if the order be not otherwise irregular. Pending
receipt of response to request for a separate advice in
such a case the smaller of the two amounts named,
respectively, in the blocks on the right of the order and
in the coupon may be advanced, if the payee so desires,
provided it does not exceed the largest amount indicated
by the printed figures remaining attached to the left of the
order. For any sum thus advanced the paying postmaster
shall take from the payee a written receipt, and hold
the same (with the order and coupon) as representing a
corresponding sum in cash until the required separate
advice is received. The proper amount should then be
paid, and the formal receipt of the payee be obtained on
the order itself; and the order shall be forwarded in the
usual way, as the voucher, with the account in which
credit is taken for the payment. Across the face of the

148
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
order, before it is thus forwarded, if the sum named in the
blocks thereon differs from that paid, the paying post-
master shall write a statement of the amount paid, thus:
“Paid $- , in accordance with separate advice, the
same being the amount named in coupon." Similarly, if
the sum named in the coupon differs from that paid, he
should write across the face of the coupon the words
"Paid $, in accordance with separate advice, the
same being the amount named in the order.” The sepa-
rate advice shall be attached to the coupon and filed
therewith at the paying office.
12. In case the sum named in separate advice is less
than the amount entered in the blocks on the order and
that written in the coupon, and the owner of the order
accepts the amount named in the advice, the paying
postmaster shall write across the face of the order and of
the coupon the words “Paid $- amount named in
separate advice,” and take credit for that amount. If a
larger sum has been advanced under the provisions of the
preceding paragraph, and the difference is not returned
by the payee, the issuing postmaster shall be required to
make the difference good to the paying postmaster.
13. In case the sum named in separate advice exceeds
both the amount entered in the blocks on the order and
that written in the coupon, the postmaster at the office
drawn on shall report the facts by letter to the Third
Assistant Postmaster General, Division of Money Orders,
stating what amount is entered in the order, what amount
is written in the coupon, what amount is indicated by
the marginal check, and what amount has been paid, if
any, and await instructions.
14. Payment of a money order shall not be refused
because the issuing postmaster impressed the coupon with
>
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
149
a stamp other than the M. O. B. stamp. If the issuing
postmaster has inadvertently affixed his stamp at the
place for the stamp of the paying office on the order, pay-
ment may yet be made; the impression of the former
stamp may be covered by pasting over it a piece of paper
bearing the impression of the latter. In like manner,
when an order bears on its face, instead of on its back, the
stamp of another office at which it has been cashed for
the payee and from which it is received with request for
reimbursement of the postmaster, the stamp of the office
drawn on, or the stamp of the office of issue, according to
circumstance, may be affixed and the order treated as
paid or repaid thereat.
15. An order may be paid notwithstanding the absence
of stamp in the coupon, if the date of issue be not lacking
in the order itself; also notwithstanding the absence of
date in the order, if the stamped date be not lacking
in the coupon. When the date is lacking in both order
and coupon, the postmaster drawn on shall immediately
address a letter of inquiry (Form 6006) to the issuing
postmaster. If both the order and coupon are regular
in all other respects, the postmaster at the paying office
may, if the payee is known to him to be a responsible
person, advance the amount of the order and hold the
receipted order as cash until in receipt of the required
separate advice, properly stamped and dated. The order
may then be treated as paid if not invalidated by age.
16. In case of omission of the name of the remitter
application shall be made promptly for a separate advice
supplying that particular, if desired by the payee. Pay-
ment may be made, however, on due presentation of the
order if it be not otherwise defective. It will not be
necessary to call for a separate advice when address of the

150
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
payee is missing if the postmaster at the office drawn on
is satisfied that the party presenting the order is the payee
therein named and intended or is the rightful owner
thereof and the order is found to be regular in all other
respects.
17. Any signature of the payee not inconsistent with
the name given in the coupon may be accepted by the
paying postmaster as sufficient, provided he is satisfied
that it is the geniune signature of the payee intended.
18. When an order is issued in favor of a married woman,
she should be described in the application and in the
coupon by her own given name, and not that of her
husband, if the former name is known to the remitter.
The postmaster drawn on, however, in any case where a
married woman, payee of an order, is described in the
coupon by her husband's given name, may pay the order
on due presentation, after causing her to write the hus-
band's name, or to incorporate that name with her own in
signing the order.
19. An order drawn in favor of a public officer or officer
of a corporation, company, or association, as such, may be
paid to his successor, if presented by the latter, who, in
receipting for same, shall be required to indicate in writing
the capacity in which he acts, thus: “William Jones,
treasurer, successor to George Thompson.”
20. When the payee is a society or corporation, the
person who has authority to receive payment of moneys
due such payee shall receipt the order in his official
capacity, and, if occasion arises, the postmaster may
require satisfactory proof of such authority.
21. The paying postmaster shall affix or cause to be
affixed to the signature of the person receiving payment
on a money order any such word or words as may be
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
151
necessary to explain the right of such person to collect the
amount. For instance, where an order drawn in favor of a
company is paid to its local manager, the word “Manager”
should be made to appear beneath or opposite his signa-
ture to the receipt.
22. The use of a stamp for signature in place of written
signature of payee or agent of payee in receipts on money
orders drawn in favor of a business house, society, corpo-
ration, or individual receiving remittances largely in that
form may be authorized by the Third Assistant Post-
master General, provided an agreement be duly executed
and filed whereby the payee assumes responsibility for
unauthorized use of such stamps and engages to deposit
orders so receipted, for collection, in a national or State
bank designated in such agreement. A form for the
agreement, furnished by the Third Assistant Postmaster
General, Division of Money Orders, upon receipt of appli-
cation made through the postmaster for the privilege of
receipting money orders in this manner, should be used.
Orders presented through a bank should bear an impres-
sion of the stamp of the bank, placed thereon conformably
to provisions of section 1153.
23. All of the requisite signatures to any money order-
those of payee, indorsee, or witness to payment, as well
as that of the issuing postmaster-should be written and
not stamped. When, however, an order is drawn or made
payable to a firm, corporation, or association, the name of
the firm, corporation, or association may be stamped,
provided that beneath it the signature of the person
receiving payment or executing the indorsement in their
behalf be written.
24. Neither the use nor the omission of a title or prefix,
such as "Dr.," "Rev.," "Prof.," "Madam," or "Mrs.,"
152
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
in the signature to an order shall affect the validity of the
order as a voucher, and should not be insisted on by the
paying postmaster, whether or not the payee is designated
by such title or prefix in the coupon, except in a case of
the kind mentioned in paragraph 22.
Sec. 1150. Paid money orders to be.stamped and re-
corded.—After payment of an order the date of payment
shall immediately be stamped upon the order and coupon,
or advice, and also entered opposite the record of the
order in the register of advices received and orders paid.
Sec. 1153. Payment to others than persons named.-
A money order shall not be paid to a second person with-
out written transfer or indorsement of the same to such
person, by the payee, in the prescribed form provided on
the order, unless the payee has, by a duly executed power
of attorney, designated and appointed some person to
collect moneys due or to become due him (in which case
the attorney should be required, before payment is made
to him, to file at the office of payment a certified copy of
such power of attorney), or unless the payee has given a
separate written order, addressed to the postmaster at the
office drawn upon, and filed with the latter, authorizing
payment to another person, and designating such person
by name as the one to receive payment of and to receipt
for any specified order, or for all orders payable by the
same postmaster to the payee.
2. When a person or firm makes an assignment, and
the assignor intends that money orders payable to him
shall be paid to the assignee, he should execute a power
of attorney, or give such written order separate from the
instrument of assignment, to be filed in the post office.
The person receiving payment as attorney, or as agent
designated in a separate written order, should receipt the

POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS,
153
money order as such, indicating beneath his signature the
capacity in which he acts.
3. In case of the death of the payee the money order
shall be paid to his "legal representative,” whether execu-
tor or administrator, who should be required to present to
the paying postmaster satisfactory evidence of his authority
to act in such capacity, and to sign the receipt to the
money order as executor or administrator, as the case
may be.
4. A money order payable to a firm, bank, or company
which has ceased to exist shall be paid to the legal repre-
sentative thereof. (See sec. 613.)
5. The stamp impressions which banks ordinarily place
upon orders left with or sent to them for collection shall
not be regarded as indorsements transferring ownership
of the orders or within the meaning of the statute which
forbids more than one indorsement. (See sec. 1152.)
Though all or a part of any such impression is spread on
the back of the coupon, the order may be paid, separated,
and employed as a voucher in the usual manner. If the
back of the coupon is so covered with bank-stamp impres-
sions that no room is left on it for the stamp of the paying
office, the date of payment may be stamped on the face
of the form, over and upon the word “Coupon.
6. If an order which has been indorsed twice or oftener
is presented for payment by the first indorsee it may be
paid to him, if regular in all other respects, after he shall
have receipted it, and the inconsistent indorsements may
be canceled.
7. When an order is presented for payment by the
payee, it is immaterial what signatures appear at the
place for receipt or what indorsements there may be on
the order; payment may be made if the order is otherwise

154
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
regular and there is space for the payee to sign his name
below or near the words “Received payment," and
inconsistent or unnecessary signatures or indorsements
may be canceled.
8. The payee or the remitter of an order (but no one
else) may substitute any other name for one which he
has already written by mistake in the body of a first
indorsement thereon, and payment may be made on due
presentation of the order by the person whose name has
thus been substituted, if the order be not irregular in
other respects.
9. When a money order purporting to have been re-
ceipted by the payee, or first indorsee, is deposited in a
bank for collection, the postmaster at the office drawn
upon may effect payment on due presentation of the same
thereat by the bank, provided there be a clear understand-
a
ing and guaranty on the part of the bank that the latter
will refund the amount if it afterwards appear that the
depositor was not the owner of the order. A money order
thus paid should bear upon its back the impression of the
stamp of the bank. The person receiving payment in the
bank's behalf on a money order thus receipted, the signa-
ture of the payee or indorsee being left undisturbed, may,
if the postmaster deem it advisable to secure such addi-
tional evidence of payment, be required to execute a
separate manuscript receipt, to be filed with the coupon.
10. A money order may be paid to the original pur-
chaser (remitter) thereof at the office on which it is drawn,
if presented by him thereat, when that office is not the
office of issue, provided it be a money-order office. (See
sec. 1164.)
Sec. 1154. Payment of orders withheld.-Payment of
money orders shall be withheld under the following
circumstances:
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
155
(a) When the order is presented after the expiration
of one year from the last day of the month of its issue.
(6) When the person presenting the order is a second
or subsequent indorsee.
2. When request is made by the issuing postmaster
or by the remitter that payment be withheld for suffi-
cient time to enable the remitter to furnish the paying
postmaster with proof that the order was purchased by
him through false representations or other fraudulent
action of the payee, who is furthermore alleged by him
to be engaged in conducting a scheme or device for obtain-
ing money through the mails by false or fraudulent pre-
tenses, representations, or promises, the case, together
with the proof furnished, shall be forwarded to the Third
Assistant Postmaster General, Division of Money Orders.
Where the payment of a money order is not forbidden by
the Postmaster General under the provisions of section
1155, the payee is entitled to payment, notwithstanding
the protest of the remitter of the money order, and the
remitter of the money order can not forbid the payment
of it by any notice to the post office at which it is made
payable before it has been paid.
Sec. 1194. Cautions.—The issuing postmaster shall ob-
serve strictly the following injunctions:
1. Read carefully the application presented until its
terms are clearly understood. If in doubt as to the
amount intended, the names and addresses of remitter
and payee, especially the latter, question the applicant
and obtain the required information.
2. Consult the tables to determine the proper fee and
form of order.
3. Before writing the order place on the application
the same number as that on the order.

156
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
4. Place the carbon sheet between the order and advice.
Write the particulars legibly in the order and receipt in
such manner that the writing may be clearly reproduced
in the advice and coupon.
5. Before delivering the order or receipt to the remitter,
compare all the forms with the application.
6. Complete the advice, taking care to omit nothing
from the payee's address as given in the application.
7. The mistakes made most commonly by postmasters
and likely to be followed by loss to them, result from
failure (1) to number the application before issuing the
order; (2) to enter in the advice the payee's full address,
as stated by the remitter; and (3) to compare the forms
with the application, after filling them up and before
handing the order to the remitter.
Sec. 1207. Payment of orders.—The regulations relative
to the payment of domestic money orders, except where
inapplicable or otherwise modified, shall apply equally to
international orders. Greater care must be exercised in
regard to the latter class of orders because of the increased
liability to error arising from the inability in many in-
stances of the persons presenting such orders to speak the
English language.
*
*
*
Sec. 1208. Payment withheld.-- Payment of an inter-
national order shall be withheld under the following cir-
cumstances:
(a) When the order is invalid by reason of age.
(6) When the order bears two or more indorsements.
(c) When the name given by the payee does not corre-
spond with that in the order and advice. (See sec. 1149.)
(d) When the order or advice contains an alteration or
erasure affecting the amount or the name of payee.
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
157
(e) When advice has not been certified.
(f) When the amount is not plainly stated therein.
2. In any such case the postmaster should immediately
address an inquiry to the exchange office or the issuing
postmaster or report to the department for instructions.
Sec. 1210. Payment to indorsees, attorneys, or the legal
representatives.—The laws and regulations which govern
the payment of domestic orders to indorsees, attorneys,
and the legal representatives of deceased payees shall
apply also to international orders.
*
*
*
Sec. 1252. Record books.-The following records shall
be kept at the smaller money-order offices at which the
“filing system” is not authorized:
(a) A register of orders issued, in which shall be recorded
daily the particulars of all orders issued.
(b) A register of advices received and orders paid, in
which shall be entered the particulars contained in advices
and coupons of money orders and the date of payment.
(c) A cashbook, showing the debit and credit transac-
tions of each day.
2. The records shall be kept in accordance with the
printed instructions contained therein and shall be retained
on file in the post office as permanent records.
Sec. 1270. Accounts.--Accounts may be opened and deposits made
*** by any person of the age of ten years or over, in his or her own
name, and by a married woman in her own name and free from any
control or interference by her husband; but no person shall at the same
time have more than one postal-savings account in his or her own right.
2. Deposits shall be accepted only from individuals,
and no account shall be opened in the name of any cor-
poration, association, society, firm, or partnership, or in
the names of two or more persons jointly. No account
286760—14—14
158
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
shall be opened in the name of one person in trust for or
on behalf of another person or persons.
Sec. 1271. Maximum and minimum amounts.--One dollar, or a larger
amount in multiples thereof, must be deposited before an account is
opened, * * * and one dollar, or multiples thereof, may be deposited
after such account has been opened, but no one shall be permitted to de-
posit more than one hundred dollars in any one calendar month. * * *
2. * * * The balance to the credit of any one person shall never
be allowed to exceed five hundred dollars, exclusive of accumulated
interest.
Sec. 1280. Withdrawal of postal-savings funds.-Any depositor
may withdraw the whole or any part of the funds deposited to his or her
credit, with the accrued interest, upon demand and under such regula-
tions as the board of trustees may prescribe.
2. Any depositor may withdraw the whole or any part
of the funds deposited to his credit, with any interest pay-
able thereon, by surrendering the certificate or certificates,
properly indorsed, at the office where it was issued. If
the depositor desires to withdraw only a part of the amount
represented by one certificate, he shall be paid that part
and be given a new certificate or certificates for the re-
mainder, which shall bear interest from the first day of
the succeeding month.
3. A depositor may withdraw the interest payable on
any certificate by presenting such certificate at his deposi-
tory office, and the postmaster, after making proper entries
on the certificate and in the records of his office, shall
obtain a receipt for the payment and return the certificate
to the depositor.
Sec. 1495. Use of mail bags.-Mail bags shall be used
only for the transmission of mailable matter while under
the care, custody, and control of the Post Office Depart-
ment, through its postmasters and other authorized agents,
and shall not be used for other purposes.
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
159
2. Mail bags shall not be used for storing records, waste
paper, etc., or for personal convenience. Surplus mail
bags shall be disposed of daily as indicated in section 1502.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Sec. 1499. Mail pouches.—The lock staple of a mail
pouch may be filed or cut, if necessary, to remove a
defective lock. * *
2. Mail bags shall not be mutilated otherwise by post-
masters or other post-office employees.
*
Sec. 1502. Surplus mail bags.—Any serviceable mail
bag not actually required for the regular dispatch of mails
is surplus equipment.
2. Surplus mail bags shall not be held in any post office
to meet possible emergencies unless specially authorized
by the Railway Mail Service.
3. Mail bags shall not be held in small post offices until
a full sack of empties shall have accumulated.
4. Surplus mail bags shall be dispatched daily, by ordi-
nary mail, and by the following schedule:
(a) From post offices in Maine, New Hampshire, Ver-
mont, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, to the postmaster
at Boston, Mass.
(b) From post offices in Connecticut, New York, New
Jersey, and Pennsylvania, to the postmaster at New York,
N. Y.
(c) From post offices in Delaware, Maryland, District
of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina,
and South Carolina, to the mail-bag storehouse, Wash-
ington, D. C.
(d) From post offices in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and
Mississippi, and all post offices in Louisiana excepting
Alexandria, Monroe, La Fayette, and Shreveport, to the
postmaster at Atlanta, Ga.

160
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
From the excepted offices in Louisiana, above indi-
cated, to the postmaster at New Orleans, La.
(e) From post offices in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and
Tennessee, to the postmaster at Cincinnati, Ohio.
(f) From post offices in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois,
Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho,
Nevada, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, and from
post offices supplied by the Ogden and San Francisco
railway post office in California east of Sacramento, to
the postmaster at Chicago, Ill.
(g) From post offices in Minnesota, North Dakota, and
Montana, to the postmaster at Saint Paul, Minn.
(h) From post offices in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas with
exceptions indicated below, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado,
New Mexico, and Arizona, and from the following counties
in California: Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside,
San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Bar-
bara, and Ventura, to the postmaster at Saint Louis, Mo.
From the post office at Fort Worth, Tex., to the post-
master at New Orleans, La.
From the post offices at Amarillo, Beaumont, El Paso,
Houston, Palestine, and San Antonio, Tex., to the post-
master at Galveston, Tex.
(i) From all post offices in California not referred to in
paragraphs (f) and (h) of this section, to the postmaster at
San Francisco, Cal.
5. Each bag containing empty bags shall be properly
labeled, the reverse side of label to bear the postmark of
the dispatching office and the name of the employee
having the matter in immediate charge.
6. Defective pouches and sacks shall not be included
in these dispatches, but shall be disposed of as directed
in section 1501.
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
161
Sec. 1505. Improper use of bags and locks.-Postal
employees shall prevent, when possible, any improper
use or abuse of mail bags and mail locks, and shall report
every instance, of which they may be aware, of theft or
illegal use of such equipment.
Sec. 1506. Term 'mail locks." _The term "mail locks"
includes
(a) The double-star lock in general use in the postal
service for locking pouches in which first-class mail matter
is conveyed.
(6) The rotary registry lock used for locking through
register pouches and inner register sacks containing regis-
tered mail matter only. This lock registers the next
higher number with each turn of the key. This lock shall
be used only at the post offices and by postal employees
specially authorized to use it by the Third Assistant Post-
master General.
(c) The brass registry lock, used only where specially
authorized by the Third Assistant Postmaster General, its
principal use being at designated post offices on star routes
to lock mail bags containing registered mail and ordinary
through mail.
(d) The letter-box lock for United States collection
boxes used in connection with the free-delivery systems
and for United States collection boxes which may be
specially authorized by the department.
(e) Special mail locks, of which but a few of a kind are
a
required, for some particular and limited use in the postal
service.
Sec. 1507. Use of locks restricted.-Mail locks shall be
used exclusively in the postal service and shall not be
diverted to private or other uses, nor shall they be sold or
otherwise disposed of to private persons.
162
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
*
*
Sec. 1512. Defective locks on pouches. When a lock
attached to a pouch can not be opened the lock staple
may be cut and another pouch and lock, if available,
placed in service. If no other pouch is at hand, a new
staple should be affixed to the old pouch, to which a good
mail lock, if available, can be attached, or, if necessary,
a padlock, which may be purchased in accordance with
section 1511.
*
*
Sec. 1513. Defective locks.- Whenever a mail lock of
any kind is found to be defective in the slightest degree
it shall be withdrawn immediately from service and for-
warded with a letter of advice to the Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General, Division of Supplies, the double-star
locks by ordinary mail and all other kinds of mail locks
by registered mail.
2. Defective mail locks which are returned to the
department are not replaced unless accompanied with a
requisition for good locks in lieu of those defective.
Sec. 1516. Locks.—Postal employees shall reclaim, when
possible, and transmit to the Second Assistant Postmaster
General, Division of Railway Mail Service, all mail locks
found to be in improper hands or applied to any other
than their lawful use.
Sec. 1520. Letter-box locks.-All letter carriers should
be expressly instructed (through the superintendent of
carriers) that it is forbidden (1) to put oil or grease in
mail locks, (2) to pry open the case of such locks, (3) to
injure a letter box in order to remove a defective lock.
2. The shackle of a letter-box lock may be pried when
it is on a letter box and can not be opened with a key,
but not until the carrier has reported the matter to the
postmaster, or such subordinate as the postmaster may
POST OFFICE CLERKS AND CARRIERS.
163
indicate, and a new key from the post office has been
tried on the lock.
3. In cold climates, where trouble is experienced from
water freezing in locks, alcohol or gasoline may be in-
jected into the locks to prevent freezing or cause the ice
to thaw.
Sec. 1522. Term 'mail keys.”—The term "mail keys”
includes all keys issued by the department for use in
connection with the mail locks referred to in section 1506.
The ordinary mail key in general use has two stars stamped
on the thumb piece, and is known as the "double-star”
key.
*
*
*
*
*
*
5. Safety key chains which are badly worn and endan-
ger the safety of mai' keys shall not be used.
*
Sec. 1524. Mail keys.-Mail keys shall be kept with
special care and shall not be exposed to public observa-
tion nor allowed to pass into the hands of mail contrac-
tors, drivers, mail messengers, or other unauthorized
persons.
2. Every mail key, excepting those furnished as extras,
shall be kept attached to a safety key chain until the key
is returned to the Fourth Assistant Postmaster General,
Division of Supplies.
3. The double-star mail key in use at post offices shall
be attached by means of a long safety chain and screw
eye to the receiving table or other fixture, having in view
the safety of the key.
4. Postmasters and other postal employees shall report
to the Fourth Assistant Postmaster General, Division of
Supplies, all instances of loss or accident to, or of any
unlawful or improper use of, mail keys which come to
164
POSTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
their knowledge. In case of letter-box keys, the combi-
nation, as well as number of key, should be indicated.
Sec. 1525. Extra keys.—When extra mail keys are fur-
nished, for use in cases of emergency, they shall be locked
in a safe place in the post office, accessible to only the
postmaster and his assistant.
Sec. 1527. Mail keys.-Each mail key bears a different
number. Every postmaster or employee to whom such
keys are intrusted shall be charged therewith and held
to a strict account therefor. On the receipt of any such
mail key by a postmaster he should make a record, to be
kept in his post office, of the date of its receipt and the
number of the key. In case of letter-box keys the com-
bination should be shown on the record.
2. Postmasters shall obtain and file in their offices re-
ceipts from letter carriers for mail keys issued to them.
Sec. 1530. Mail keys.—No attempt shall be made to
have a mail key repaired.
2. If the only mail key in an office supplied by star,
rural, or special route be broken, or is so defective as not
to open the mail locks, the bags should be passed un-
opened to the next postmaster on the route with a written
request that the letters for said office be delivered in a
sealed package, by the mail carrier, until a new key can
be obtained from the department.
Sec. 1668. Reports of violations of laws.Postmasters
and all other employees of the postal service shall report
to the Chief Inspector and the post-office inspector in
charge of the division in which their offices are located
any violations of the postal laws, or other laws herein
referred to, that may come to their notice.
INDEX.
ABSENCE, leave of, general provisions.
clerks, annual...
carriers, annual
without leave
ACCOUNTS, postal savings...
ADDRESS, change of..
ADVERTISED MATTER..
ADVICES, money order.
AGENTS for carriers' uniforms.
APPOINTMENTS, clerks.
carriers.
AUXILIARY clerks ....
carriers.
BACKSTAMPING.
BAGS, mail...
BLIND, mail matter for the
BONDS, clerks......
carriers..
BOOKS, delivery record..
Boxes, street letter ...
Boxes in post offices...
BRASS-LOCK registry service.
CANCELED STAMPS, using, etc.
CANCELING STAMPS...
CASE EXAMINATION.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS.
CIRCULAR MATTER.
CITY DELIVERY..
CIVIL SERVICE boards..
examinations ...
CLASSIFICATION, domestic mail matter.
foreign mail matter.
CLASSIFICATION of employees.
Page.
13
18
91
91
157
61-63, 132
74-75
140
87
16
83
15
82
57
158-159, 161
30,41
21
86
104
81
68
125, 161
47
48
19
61-63, 132
54
69, 80-99
19
15
25-34
42
15
165
166
INDEX.
Page.
46
37-39
98
20,92
12,95
39
12
10-12
29
74,123
CLOSING MAILS, time for....
C. 0. D. fourth-class matter...
COLLECTION of mail by carriers
COMPENSATORY TIME....
CONDUCT of postal employees.
CONGRESSIONAL documents...
CONTRACTS, employees interested in.
CONTRIBUTIONS...
COUNTY matter.
COURTS, orders of.
DAMAGED matter.
DEAD LETTERS, Division of..
DEBTS...
DECEASED PERSONS, mail addressed to.
DEFICIENCY in postage...
DELIVERY of ordinary mail
DEPOSITS, postal savings.
DETAIL of clerks...
DIRECT PACKAGES.
DISCIPLINE..
DISPATCH OF MAILS, domestic.
foreign..
DISTRIBUTION, errors in..
EIGHT-HOUR LAW.....
ERRORS in distribution..
EXAMINATIONS,"case".
civil service.
FACING SLIPS ....
FEES, money order
notary
registration..
FEMALE, employees...
FICTITIOUS ADDRESSES.
FIRST ASSISTANT POSTMASTER GENERAL, Office of
FIRST-CLASS MATTER, rates on.
FOREIGN coins or currency.
exchange of mails
matter delivered
parcel post...
registered matter
51
51
96
72, 118
25, 27
65–67,96
157
17
53
96
53
79
55
20
55
19
15-16,83
54
135
12
105
9
60
5
25
23
41
79
44
126
INDEX.
167
FORMS, money order....
FORWARDING mail
registered matter...
special delivery matter
FOURTHI-CLASS MATTER ..
FRANKING PRIVILEGE...
GENERAL DELIVERY, use of.
GIFTS ....
GRADES AND SALARIES, clerks.
carriers
Hooks forbidden in handling mail bags.
HOURS OF SERVICE, clerks...
carriers
IDENTIFICATION of M. O. payee.
INFORMATION not to be given.
INK, canceling
INSPECTORS
INSURANCE of fourth-class mail.
INTOXICANTS, use of......
ISSUE OF MONEY ORDERS.
KEYS, care of......
LABELING POUCHES
LEAVES OF ABSENCE, general provision..
Page.
142
61-64
119
102
31
40
67
11
14
81
54
20
92
135
45
50
7,65
36
95
137
125, 126, 163, 164
9
clerks.....
carriers..
LEGAL TENDER..
LETTER BOXES, care of...
locks on..
private mail receptacles.
time cards on..
LOCKING POUCHES...
Locks, general provisions.
registry...
LOTTERY AGENT..
LOTTERY CIRCULARS unmailable.
MAIL BAGS (see Pouches).
MAIL KEYS (see Keys) ...
MAIL LOCKS (see Locks).
MARRIED WOMEN in service.
MESSENGERS, special delivery.
MILITIA duty..
124
13
18
91
23-24
81
162
81
81
124
161, 162
124-126
13
36
163
161
9
104
10
168
INDEX.
MINORS, mail addressed to
MISDIRECTED MATTER.
MISSENT MATTER ..
M.O. B. STAMPS...
MONEY ORDERS, general provisions..
applications for...
error in issuing
limitations on..
payment of
signature of postmaster on
MUNICIPAL OFFICES, holding .....
MUTILATED COIN and paper currency.
NAVAL VESSELS, mail for.
NONDELIVERY, reason for.
NOTARIES public..
NOTICES, registry
NUMBERING of carriers.
OATH of office....
OBSCENE MATTER unmailable.
OFFICIAL correspondence.....
“OPENED through mistake," mail matter.
OVERTIME, clerks...
carriers...
PACKAGES of second-class matter..
PARCEL-POST packages, treatment of
PAYMENT of money orders...
PENSION letters.....
POLITICAL activity.....
POSTAGE DUE, collection of.
POSTAGE, rates of, etc..
POSTAL CARDS..
POSTAL SAVINGS.
POSTMARKING STAMPS
POSTMARKS...
POUCHES, closing of...
Page.
71
50,63, 120
57, 120
141
133-157
135
139
135
134, 139, 144-156
142
9
28
133
78
8
114
90
7,9, 22,87
35
40
74
20
94
67
79
134, 139, 144-156
70
filled how...
loose matter in
opening of...
record of ...
PREPAYMENT of postage...
PRIVACY of matter under seal
10
58,98
25-34
26
157, 158
49
48, 49
124, 159
53,55, 112
122
55, 125
54,57
25
45
INDEX.
169
Page.
27
14
81
19,82
58
107, 109, 114, 128
124
24
PRIVATE mailing cards..
PROMOTIONS, clerks....
carriers..
RATINGS, efficiency
RATING up postage..
RECEIPTS, registry.
hand to hand
REDEMPTION of stamped paper
REDUCTION, clerks ....
carriers ..
REGISTERED MATTER.
REGISTERED SPECIAL DELIVERY MATTER
REGISTRATION by carriers.
REINSTATEMENTS
REMOVALS..
RESIGNATION
RETURN of undelivered letters
ROTARY locks.......
ROUTE BOOKs and cards..
ROUTES, carriers .....
SACKS, weight limit of contents (see Pouches)
SALARIES, clerks.
carriers...
SCHEDULE for carriers..
SECOND-CLASS MATTER.
SHIP LETTERS
SIGNATURE of postmasters
SIZE LIMIT of mail matter ...
SHORT-PAID registered matter
SMOKING...
SOLDIERS', sailors', and marines' letters.
SPECIAL-DELIVERY MATTER..
SPECIAL DELIVERY REGISTERED.
STAMP CLERKS, duty of......
STAMPS, canceled, mutilated, defaced
M. O. B.......
postmarking
STARS, carriers service.
STATE OFFICES, holding of.
18
82
105-133
102,133
127
84
6
85
75,76
124, 161
94
80
53
14
81
92
28,30
27
142
33
118
13
27
99-105
133
22-23
47
141
49
90
9
28676°_14-
15
170
INDEX.
Page.
19, 83, 92, 103
20
92
17
22
86
17
96
36,37
30
81
20
93
14
SUBSTITUTES.
SUNDAY SERVICE, clerks.
carriers
SUPERINTENDENT of mails
SUPPLIES, how used....
SURETY companies.
SUSPENSION, clerks...
carriers...
TAGS-C. 0. D.-Insurance
THIRD-CLASS MATTER ...
TIME CARDS, letter boxes
TIME RECORDER, use of, clerks...
carriers.
TRANSFERS, clerks
carriers ...
TRANSIENT publications
UNDELIVERED MATTER
UNIFORMS
UNMAILABLE MATTER.
UNSEALED MATTER
VIOLATION of laws...
WEATHER BUREAU reports..
WEIGHT Limit of mail matter.
WEIGHT of matter
WITHDRAWAL of accounts..
WITHDRAWAL by sender before dispatch.
WITNESSING records ...
WOMEN employees.
85
30
75, 77, 99, 103, 110, 132
87,90
34,42,51, 60, 130
46,122
164
28
31-33
47
158
52
122
9
o
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
JUNE
3 9015 01422 7121