Evening star., 1894-12-22
POSTAGE STAMP ALBUMS.
Secret Service Officials Say That the
Law is Violated.

Secret Service officials Say That the
Law is Violated.
The sale of postage stamp albums has
for years past formed an important item
in the holiday trade of book dealers in this
city, as the stamp-collecting mania Is a
popular one among young folks. But the
law, as Interpreted by the secret service
bureau of the Treasury Department. has
put itself in evidence and seriously inter-
fered with the business in question of one
local dealer at least.
Agent G. o. Barker Of the secret service
on Monday last visited the establishment
Of e. L. Fisher. bookseller and station
er, at 1903 Pennsylvania avenue northwest,
and coniiscated stock Of foreign and do
nestle stamps. A second visit was paid
on the day following, and when Mr.. Barker
departed he took with him every stamp al
bum in the store. The albums contain fac
similes of certain stamps The only reason
given for the seizure was that the pictures
OF stamps In the album come under the
head of counterfeiting.e
Wants His Goods Back.
Mr.. Fisher, 1t is said, has demanded that
his goods be returned. on the ground that
the albums are patented, and that one
branch of the government has not the au-
thority to seize articles plainly exempted
from such action by another branch of the
government 1t was also claimed that the
United States has no authority as regards
foreign stamps. Further, he relies on the
fact that the seizures were made without
search warrants.
At the Treasury Department this after
noon Star reporter was informed that no
information whatsoever can be furnished
the public as to the doings Of the secret
service bureau A high official, however
stated that the laws fully cover Mr.. Fish
er's case.
The Law In the Case.
Section 541S. Revised Statutes of the
United States, provides that postage
stamps are an obligatiok of the United
States, while in section $3.50 ii is stipulated
that any person who executes a likeness
of such obligation is guilty of a misdea-
meanor and subject to a fine of 5000, or
fifteen years Imprisonment or both. Sec
ton of the act of Congress approved
February 10, 1891, an act further to prevent
counterfeiting or manufacturing of dies,
tools or implements used in counterfeiting,
and providing penalties therefor, and pro-
viding for the issue Of search warrants in
certain cases. reads that AL counterfeits
of any of the obligations other securi-
ties of the United States or of any foreign
government, or counterfeits of any Of the
coins of the United States or Of any for
eign government. and all material or APP
paratus fitted or intended to be used, or
that shall have been used, in the making
of any Of such counterfeit obligations or
other securities or coins hereinbefore men,
toned, that shall be found in the posses
sion of any person without authority from
the Secretary of the Treasury or other
proper officer to have the same, shall be
taken possession Of by any authorized
agent of the Treasury Department and for
feited to the United States, and disposed of
in any manner the Secretary of the Treas
ury may direct"
A Patent Does Not Protect.
The opinion Of the law officer of the
Treasury Department. bearing on the sub
ject, Is that a patent does not protect a
person from violations of the law, or. in
other words, the government does not rec
ognize a patent when 1t Violates the law.
Mr.. Fisher has received a communication
from the firm In Philadelphia which pub
fishes the album, stating that every time
similar cases have been tested in the
courts the decision has been against the
secret service. Mr.. Fisher intends to go to
law in the present case. 1t is understood
that all stamp albums offered for sale In
the city will be seized, but the secret ser
vice officials refuse to talk on that sub
ject.