The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-02-02
BOOKS OF STAMPS.
New Device 40 BE Adopted BY the
POstohsce Department

POStOftre Depa rt ua ent-
Two-cent postage stamps are to be pIac-
ed on sale by the Postofice Department
in book form within about sixty days. The
books viii contain twelve stamps. twenty
four stamps, or forty-eight stamps and
cost each 1 cent more than the stamps
alone.
These books are expected 10 prove OF
great benefit 20 patrons Of the postal sery-
ice. They will be bound in thin cardboard
and be OF 2 size intended to slip conyen-
iently into the vest pocket. The sheets
Of stamps viii be separated by Sheets or
wax paper. On the two covers are 10 be
printed briefly the division Of mail mat
ter into classes with the rate Tor each
class ard such other information on pos
tai regulations as space viii permit In
this form The stamps win not crumpIe ia
the pocket viii be easily counted viii be
ready for use in all kinds or weat her. 5nd
will be available without the opening OF a
pockeJbOOk or the use OF the metal stamp
4 cases now sold by jewellers.
In the ewes Of the department. officials
not the 'east of the advantages the books
/ are 10 possess in the handsome profit net
/ ted from heir sale They are 10 be made,
like the stamps a the Bureau Of Engray-
/ ing and Printing aid VIII cost the Post
| master General not more than s. for eaCn
I 600. At the rate OF / cent each they
/ viii net the Government $40 per LOCO
/ profit o. IS on each 81 600 books sold. III a
| fourth OF all the 2-cent stamps now used
J probably not less than 4.5OO. 100000 q
/ year-are sold in book form the annual
profit viii exceed $3.50. CO., It Is not un-
/ likely that the profit will double that sum.
| The notion Of marketing stamps in this
1 form came into the department with Third
I Assistant Postmaster General Madden.
4 When il was explained 20 Postmaster Gen
/ eral Smith he approved Of the scheme
/ heartily and directed his subordinate 90
| work out its practical details without de
I lay. Stamps are purchased by the de-
Z partmenJ from the Bureau Of Engraving
/ and Printing as though from some publish
| inE house the department paying the ez-
/ act cost Of the paper and printing and APP
. plying the profit 90 the expenses OF the
| service. Mr. Madden wrote the bureau
and asked the cost Of such books. the time
required for making them. and whether the
regular issue Of stamps would be inter
rupted By an order for stamps issued il
this new form. To all Of these questions
he received favorable answer-the book
would cost not more than s. per thousand
! the issue OF stamps would not be inter
Z rupted. about siN weeks would be requires
I for the preparation OF machinery. leo, ee
or more could be supplied each day
I u was therefore concluded 10 auJhOriZ
( the manufacture Of stamp books az once
Here an unexpected difficulty was pre- sent
ed The Director Of the Bureau nUtifie
the Postmaster General that he thought
unwfse TO attempt the issue OF stamps q
this form without an extra allowance o
$50 0GO from Congress. II the POStofilc
Department was anxious 10 carry out it
plan il might obtain that extra allowance
In the words OF the Assistant Director
it was up to the Postmaster General &
: obtain the appropriation.
I When this reached Mr. smiths ears a
, al once sent the matter up to- the Seere
3 tary OF the Treasury and asked an inves
; tigaticn. which Mr. Gage at once directed
! The enquiry proved favorable 20 the Post
, Office Department The Director was OF
, dered TO comply with the instructions Re-
ceived from Mr. Smith and left TO ObtaI
the additional appropriation sougt
through his own efforts.