Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-20
POSTAL REFORM.
EFFORTS TO SECURE LEGIDLE
MARKING OF LETTERS.
The Public is Invited to Cooperate
with the Department I'm n Signed
posed improvements.
written for the DIspatchO


WASHINGTON, d. c., February 49,
Relative to the efforts Of this department
to secure legible postmarking OF letters
at the various post-offices. and request
for a statement OF what has been &C
complished up to date in the matter, 1
must first caH attention to the condition
of this feature of the postal service as 1t
existed before this report was inaugu-
rated, a full statement of which will be
found in my annual report for 1897, pages
56-6l.
will add that subsequent acquisitions
for supplies and other communications
from postmasters have shown that the
postmarking equipments were even more
defective, and illegible postmarking was
even more general than indicated by the
papers which formed the basis Of my
report.
I have continued to reprlmand negligent
postmasters, and in order TO obtain COM
plete data for this purpose, the following
instructions have been published In the
monthly postal guide since September,
1897:
"Postmasters are requested TO secure
from the patrons OF their several offices
envelopes showing illegible or unsatisrac-
tory postmarking or back-stamping and
forward the same to this office, Division
of Post-Office Supplies with a statement
showing the name OF the office where the
unsatisfactory postmarking or back
stamping was done, and the name or the
writer II possible.
"Legible postmarking on every letter
passing through the mails is required.
(see instructions in postal guide for June,
1871 Postmasters have been given fair
notice, and future failure Of duty In this
respect will be called to the attention or
the officer having charge of appointments
and removals"
ILLEGIBLE POSTMARKS.
In response to this circular, thousands
of envelopes showing illegible or I'M
satisfactory postmarking have been re-
ceived each month and the delinquent
postmaster duly reprimanded, resulting
in each case I'm either a report showing
more satisfactory work or a statement
showing incomplete or defective post
marking outfit. The latter have received
immediate attention and the necessary
supplies promptly furnished.
The entire service is now thoroughly
posted i'm regard to these requirements.
and there has been a marked improve
ment, considering the large number OF
Offices and the small compensation or
many OF them.
Postmasters have given their expert
ence upon the various defective features
Of their postmarking outfits. These have
been carefully considered and steps have
been taken by this Office TO overcome the
difficulties and obviate the defects which
were thus shown to exist
The stamp contractor is now supplying
type which are much better adapted TO
the purpose than those formerly fur.
nished for the stamps. and the stamps
themselves have been materially i'm
proved in several important features.
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS.
THE honorable Postmaster General has |
favorably considered my recommends |
ton for the appointment Of committee |
to consider and report upon any new de- |
vices which may be submitted by the |
public looking to an Improvement in the |
character of postmarking stamps to be |
hereafter furnished, and by order OF Sep |
tember Is, 1897. designated committee |
for that purpose, whereupon the follow |
ing circular was given to the newspapers !
and published generally throughout the |
country and in the official postal guide:
ION September IS, 1897. a committee |
was appointed by the Postmaster-Ciener |
for the purpose Of examining new de- |
signs or improvements In cancelling |
stamps. said committee TO report the re- |
suit of their Investigations with such re-
as they deem proper 20 |
make. This committee received for |
inspection up to January !, 1898, work |
ing models OF any invention designed 10 |
take the place OF the hand stamp now |
In use at the various post-ofIlces.
Persons who submit devices are ad- |