Evening journal., 1900-09-19
P. 0. DEP PARTMENT
TAKES ACTION
Lotteries Or Endless Chain
Schemes UnmaiIabIO
Matter

Postmaster Hugh &. Browne has re-
ccivcd the following instructions from the
postonlce department in Washington re-
garding lotteries and endless chain
schemes which are declared unmailahle|
matter:
Once of Asst Attorney General,
For the Post Office Department.
Washington, ID. c., Sept. II, 1900
To all postmasters:
The attorney general has held in an
ouinion TO the postmaster general dated
August 81. 1900. that the schemes de-
scribed below are lotteries or similar
schemes for the distribution of prizes 10y
chance. and an mail matter in relation
thereto Is therefore unmailahlc under the
provisions of the act of September 10, 1880
Il Supp r. s.. S03, and Section 3Sl j. l..
and r. of 1889. commonly known as the
lottery law. The schemes are as follows:
D Any person obtaining card on
coupon connected with the scheme is 10
return the same 20 the promoter thereof
with 10 cents for which he viii receiye
ten similar coupons. With these he is
to start a cham hy sending each Of these
cards or coupons 90 some other person
with the request that 10 he returned Ia
the promoter with the amount called for,
10 cents. for the purchase OF similar set
of ten cards or coupons. Each OF these
persons receiving a set OF cards or cou-
pons is directed to dispose OF them as
above indicated 10 ten other persons
making like request for their return
When the entire number of one hundred
and ten cards or coupons thus sent ont
has been returned to the promoter of the
scheme. the chain Is regarded as COM
O.. tl hIN ct
concerned. and he is then entitled TO the
prize offered.
go a card or coupon is purchased for a
certain amount which coupon IS TO be re-
turned TO the promoter OF the scheme
with a stated amount of money. for which
the sender viii receive ten similar cou-
pons. or cards. These ne rs To- sell or give
away to ten persons. who. inturn, are eX-
pccted cturn them with the stated re-
mittanccs. When these ten cards have
been returned TO the promoter in this
manner. the person who originated this
chain of ten coupons or cards is entitled
20 the prize offered
The opinion of the attorney general is
applicable to all schemes of the character
described above. regardless of the num-
her of cards or coupons that may form a
set, or that may hc necessary To complete
a series. The numbers used above are Ia
better illustrate the class OF schemes re-
ferred 60.
II will be noted that the opinion of the
attorney general in holding that the
scheme designated Ol is i'm violation OF
the lottery law, confirms the ruling of the
acting assistant attorney general for
the postoflce department dated Apri
!. 1899 form 25Sl. given ON that class of
schemes. while the opinion on the scheme
designated C2l is reversal of that portion
of such ruling relating to that subject
which iatter ruling WIS also promulgated
in circular letter CForm 26i.
pOstmasters and al persons in the pos
tai service will refuse to accept for MALL
ing an circulars or advertisements relat-
ing TO the two classes OF schemes de-
scrihed above. and will notify persons
conducting the same that such use of the
mails must he discontinued. Postmasters
will call the attention of all persons
known TO be conducting schemes of this
character to this ruling. When the pro-
motion OF these schemes through the
mails is continued Notwithstanding the
warning. notice thereof, together with q
statement of facts, should be sent TO this
O-ice.
HARRISON !. BARRETT,
Acting Assistant Attorney General
for the Post Once Department.