The Washington times., 1894-11-12
MISUSE OF POSTAL FRANK
Firrt Assistant Postmaster General
Suggests Legislation.
IMPROPER NATTER SENT FREE
soant Appropriations Have Prevented the
Extension of the Free Delivery System
Number of Carriers Increased-Faults in
the New Stamps to Be Remedied.

First Assistant Postmaster General Frank
Jones has submitted his annual report to the
Postmaster General. 1t is a review of the
work of the portions of the department under
his charge for the year ended June 30 1894,
and contains his recommendations for the
improvement of the service.
Mr.. Jones recommends legislation to pro-
tect the postmarking of stamps in use at the
postoiiices, as the stamp is now being used
for unlawful purposes. He renews his
recommendation for legislation to prevent the
boycotting of postmasters by milling OF
letters at places other than the Office, which
results in reducing the salaries OF the post
masters boYcotted.
He calls special attention to the misuse Of
the franking privilege. He says:
"There seems TO be some misapprehension
among members of Congress as to the scope
OF the franking privilege, which has resulted
in some postmasters declining to send
speeches or other matter presented for mail
ing, and this department has been called
upon to give special instructions in such
cases.
"Instead of the same being written or
placed upon the envelopes by the handstamp
il has been in some instances improperly
printed thereon; the speeches therein con-
tanned have borne the advertisement of the
printer. which formed no part of the Con-
gressional Record and therefore are subject
TO postage as third-class matter la addition
to this some of the packages sent by mail
under the frank of the member have been
found after delivery TO contain printed matter
outside of the Congressional Record and
public documents, and are, therefore, not
1ranGable under the laws above quoted.
The literature being sent under seal, the
Department is, OF course, unable to detect
vio.ations; IL is only advised thereof after the
matter has been delivered 10 and complaint
made by the addressee. There is no penalty
attached to the misuse OF the franking privi-
lege, hence no action can be taken by me fur
ther than to call the attention OF the member
to the matter.
''As the Department is required to carry
without cent of revenue. hundreds OF tons
Of franked matter, additional limitations
should be placed upon the use of franked
matter, additional limitations should be
placed upon the use OF the frank. or penalty
OF some kind imposed for its unlawful use,
and l respectfully suggest that the attention
OF Congress be called u this matter for such
action as It shall deem proper"
Mr.. Jones recommends legislation allowing
the suspension. without pay, not TO exceed
ten days. OF employees violating the postal
rules; also. that disabled employees may be
granted leaves OF absence with continued pay;
also some changes IN the classification of
salaries which were heretofore recommended.
Mr.. Jones says that owing to the seant ap-
/ preparation the work of the lree-delivery sys-
TEN has been curtailed. There have been no
new Offices made free delivery during the
year. There has been slight increase in
+ the number OF carriers. There has been a
! settlement of many overtime claims of car
rIers during the year
/ Mr.. Jones condemns as heartily as he did
/ last year the experimental free delivery and
! the rural free delivery tried by his predeces-
/ sor. He estimates for the free delivery sery-
ice for the next year So. 1927. .6s5, an increase
| OF 1862, ,59S over the current year.
/ There were issued, during the term the
order was in force, 2,0l4, ,233, 100 Columbian
/ postage stamps, Of these ,464. .5Ss $50 were
/ 2-cent stamps and 449. 195. $50 1-cent stamps
/ The use of the Columbian stamps necessitated
+ a change in the color of the special delivery
/ stamps as there was great deal Of confusion
| over the similarity.
/ review of the transfer OF stamp printing
+ from the American Bank Note Company TO
/ the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is
made. and it is declared that. notwithsrand-
Ing the complaints made OF the character Of
/ the stamps issued by the bureau. it has been
( successful. and that there will be saving 10
/ the government OF 5343, ,2G6 for one year and
| 81. .443, l56 for four years.
1t is now claimed at the department that
the faults in new stamps complained Of will
be remedied. and that the new issues will be
as good as those furnished by the American
B ank Note Company.