The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-13
IMMEDIATE DELIVERY.
Circular Letter of Instructions to POST
masters.

Circular Letter of Instructions to POST
masters.
WASHINGTON, Aug ia circular relating to
the immediate delivery system, which is to be
put in operation Oct l., has been prepared and
will be sent to postmasters at once. After quot
ing Section 3 of the postofice appropriation bill,
which provides the terms under which immediate
deliveries are to be made, the circular says: 1T
has accordingly been decided to introduce the
special delivery system on the lst of October,
1885. at all the postofces at which it is permitted
by the law, viz: Those at which the frecdelivery
system is in operation, and those in cities and
tows having a population of 1000, or over, as
shown by the last federal census. Suitable
quantities of the special-delvery stamps will be
sent to any postofice in the country which viii
make requisition for them, and when received
they to be taken up by the postmaster in hiE
account current They sre to be sold by post
masters in any required amount, and to any
person who may apply for them, but they can be
used only for the purpose OF securing the imme-
date delivery Of letters to, and received in the
mails, at any of the Offices desi gnated special
delivery Offices Under no circumstances are
they to be used N the payment of postage of
any description. The special delivery stamps
must be in addition to the lawful postage. and
letters not prepaid with at least one full rate of
postage, in accordance with the law and regula
tions, must be treated as held for postage.
even though bearing a special delivery
stamp, in addition TO the full postage and regis
try fee required by law and the regulations. The
special delivery stamps must be cancelled at the
Office of mailing in the same way as ordinary
postage stamps. A letter bearing special de-
livery stamp in addition to the lawful postage,
may be mailed at any postoffice in the country,
but it will not te entitled to immediate delivery
BY q messenger when addressed to postoffice
to which the special delivery system has not
been extended. Special delivery letters will
be delivered by messenger within
the carrier limits Of free delivery Office, and
within a radius of one mile from the postofice,
at all other special delivery offices. Postmasters
at fourth class Offices not entitled to commis-
sions on the special delivery stamps in any case
No effort will be spared to expedite the mailing
of letters bearing special delivery stamps, ad-
dressed to special delivery offices. Postmasters
are urged to all available means for furnish
ing the public with information regarding the
special delivery system.
WILLIAM f. Villas, Postmaster general
A second circular by the Postmas ter general
embodies technical instructions to postmasters
concerning the above system. 1t directs post
masters as to the requisite number of messenger
boys to insure prompt delivery. and provides that
su ubstitute letto r'carriers may be employed as
messengers and receive the same compensation
other messengers, but in no case shall the
compensation paid to any one person exceed $50
per month. Two objects" says the Postmaster
general, must be particularly and strenuously
sought. First the most efficient delivery service,
and, second, to bring the service up to revenue
yielding condition.