The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-06-07
IDENTIFICATION hooks.
A scheme for Proving Identity A
Various Countries.
st. Louis Globe-D Democrat.

81. LOUIS Gl0De-Dem0crat.
Passports are intended primarily for the
purpose OF Identification. The same idea il
the object of a scheme which has been
adopted lately by a number of the nations
or the world. The question whether IL shall
be taken up by the United States Is to be
discussed at the convention to be held in
Washington next winter. The idea referred
TO Is nothing more or less than an identih-
cation book. which enables the holder TO es-
tablish his Identity wherever In the world
he may be. This is often a matter of the
utmost Importance. Travellers ignorant OF
the language OF the country through which
they are journeying are apt 10 have trouble
in securing mail addressed TO them, I'm CASH
ing money orders and In various other ways.
They may even find themselves stranded for
lack of the very funds which are. awaiting
them az the postofice simply because they
are not personally known. 1t Is mainly
through agitation of the subject by tourists
that the Identification book has become an
accomplished fact.
The book of identification is a small. green
paper-covered book Of convenient size for
The pocket. " costs only 10 cents. and may
De bought at any postofice. On the inside
of the cover Is placed a photograph OF the
holder. tied In place, and fastened by .
sealed ribbon To this j. attached the sig
Is a declaration signed by the postofice OH
Gal, stating that photograph and signature
are genuine OF course the official wit
nesses the making OF the signature and 10
easily abe 10 determine whether the portrait
Is a likeness OF the applicant or not. On
the next page is a fun description OF the
height. eyes. nose. forehead. chin. mouth.
co.oIing, hair. and particular marks" Thus.
II a man has a wart on mis- nose IL Is meu-
toned.
Now fellows a ds cIaration TO the enec. eaat
ION presentation OF this book and the sign
ing OF a receipt. any postofhce Is required to
deiived TO the holder all mall matter ad-
dressed TO him." IL is necessary, however.
that the signature on the receipt shall cor
respond TO the signature In the book. and
that lineaments or the persons shall agree
with the Photograph and the description in
the book. Tw0-thir3s OF the book or iden-
tihcation Is made up OF a series OF receipts
arranged like bank checks. which may be
torn out and given In exchange for mail
matter or money transmitted by mail. IL in
easy 10 see that this plan is calculated to
save an immense amount OF trouble. The
postoffice wn.ch receives the last receipt
OF a book or Identity retains the stub of that
receipt book, and III the holder OF the book
demands X. must issue him "A new book With
out requiring further proofs OF Identity.
The sheets OF the book July numbered are
attached 10 the cover by a ribbon In the
national coiors OF the country that sells the
book, and the two ends OF the ribbon are
fastened by an official seal.
Already the scheme has been adopted by
France, Italy. Switzerland. Turkey. the Ar
genuine Repubiic, Brazil. Bulgaria. co.om-
bia. Costa Rica. Egypt. Greece. Liberia. Mex
leo. Paraguay, Portugal. Roumania Tun.a.
Venezuela and Chile IL remains 10 be seen
whether II will be accepted b. the United
States