P.S. Docket No. An oral hearing was held at which evidence was presented and the parties had an opportunity to make closing arguments in support of their positions. Employees who have been assigned responsibility for cash and stamp stock can designate another postal employee to participate in or witness a count of their stock in the event they are unavailable. Such designations are customarily done by writing the names of up to two designated witnesses on the sealed envelope in which spare keys to the safe or drawer containing the stock are secured. Petitioner was aware that the main stock was being counted, yet there is no evidence that he ever complained to those conducting the count of a lack of a designated witness or that he at any time during his conversations with the Manager of Post Office Operations or Mr. Cutter identified a person he wished to witness the count.
Postmasters are accountable for the face value of all postage stock consigned to their offices.
When evidence fails to show the postmaster met those conditions, the Postal Service charges the postmaster with the full amount of the loss. First, he complains that, contrary to the requirements of the F-1 Handbook, he was not allowed to be present for the counts and Respondent failed to ask him who he desired as a witness in his absence. Further, he alleges that those counting the stock did not keep the stock under observation at all times and that there is a possibility that the counts were inaccurate or stock could have been taken. He contends that he operated the post office carefully and consistent with what he understood were Respondent s requirements. Respondent argues that Petitioner s absence from the counts was justifiable because Respondent had properly excluded Petitioner from the post office and that it had no duty to do more than review the key envelope to ascertain whether Petitioner wished a chosen witness to participate in the count.