The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-09
IDENTIFICATION BOOKS.
A Scheme for Proving Identity in
Various Countries.

Passports are intended primarily for
the purpose of Identification. The same
idea Is the object or a scheme which
has been adopted lately by number
of the NATIONS of the world The ques-
tion whether it 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 Identification book
which enables the holder to establish
his identity wherever in the world he
may be. This Is often a. matter of the
utmost Importance. Travellers ignor-
ant of the language of the country
through which they are journeying are
apt to have trouble in securing mail
addressed to them, in cashing money
orders, and in various other ways. They
may even find themselves stranded for
lack of the very funds which are await
ing them at the post office, simply be-
cause they are not personally known.
1t is mainly through agitation OF the
subject by tourists that the idcntiflca-
tion book has become an accomplished
fact.
The book of Identification is a small,
green paper-covered book of convenient
size for the pocket. 1t costs only ten
cents and may be bought at any post
office. On the inside of the cover Is
placed photograph of the holder, tied
in place and fastened by Il sealed rib
bon. To this Is attached the signature
of the person. On the opposite page is
a declaration signed by the post office
official saying that photograph and sig
nature are genuine. OF course the Of
fetal witnesses the making of the sig
nature and Is easily able to determine
whether the portrait is likeness of
the applicant or not. On the next page
is full description of the holder of the
book, giving details as to height, eyes,
nose, forehead chin, mouth, colorng,
hair, and particular marks" Thus,
If man has u wart on his nose 1t Is
mentioned.
Now follows a declaration to the ef-
feet that ION presentation of this book
and the signing of receipt any post
Office Is required to deliver to the hold
er all mail matter addressed to him"
1t is necessary. however, that the Sig
nature on the receipt shall correspond
| to the signature on the book and that
| the lineaments of the person shall
| agree with the photograph and of the
description given in the book. Two
| thirds of the book Of identification is
made up of series of receipts ar
ranged like bank checks, which may
be torn out and given in exchange for
mail matter or money transmitted by
mail
1t is easy to see that the plan Is cal
| culated to save an immense amount of
trouble The postoffice which receives
| the last receipt of a book of identity
| retains the stub of the receipt book.
| and II the holder of the book demands
1t must issue to him new book with
out requiring further proofs of identity.
| The sheets of the book. duly numbered,
are attached to the cover by ribbon
in the national colors of the country
that sells the book, and the two ends
of the ribbon are fastened by an otfic-
ial seal.
Already the scheme has been adopted
by France, Italy, Switzerland, Turkey,
| the Argentine Republic, Brazil Bull
garia, Colombia, Costa Rica. Egypt.
Greece, Liberia, Mexico. Paraguay,
| Portugal. Roumania, Tunis. Venezuela,
and Chill. 1t remains to be seen
| whether it will be accepted by the
| United States.