The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-03-20
THE WITHDRAWAL OF NAIL.
4 Circular ISSUED Explaining the
Rules Governing the Matter.

Numerous enquiries regarding the with
drawaI OF mail matter having been re-
ceived at the Postodice Department, Post
master General Smith has issued the fol-
lowing rules and regulations governing
the matter in question:
After mailable matter has been de
posted III the postoffice it cannot be
Withdrawn except by the writer thereof
or sender, or in case Of a minor child the
parent or guardian duly authorized TO
control the correspondence Of the writer
The utmost care must be taken to ascer-
tain that the person desiring 70 withdraw
the matter Is the person entitled to do so
If necessary. the postmaster should re
quire the applicant TO exhibit written
address in the same hand as that upon
the letter, and such description of the
letter or article mailed. or other evidence.
as Will identify the same and satisfy the
postmaster that the applicant is entitled
to withdraw it. The postmaster acts at
his peril in permitting such withdrawal,
and would he liable. however honest his
intentions, were he 10 deliver il TO an i'm
poster or one not entitled TO it. He
should in no case delay a mail or retard
the business OF his office in order to
search for d letter desired 10 be with
drawn.
After letter has passed from the
mailing poStofice the delivery OF the same
may be prevented, and its return TO Ehe
writer secured by an application by the
writer to the postmaster at the office OF
mailing. stating reasons therefor. ldentl-
tying the letter, and supporting such ap-
pHcat ton with sufficient proof IN writing
Upon such application and evidence, and
upon Il deposit being made by the writer
OF sum sufficient to cover all expenses
incurred, the postmaster shall telegra pm
request for the return Of such letter
TO his office, if it has been forwarded, TO
the postmaster at the Office Of address,
carefully describing the same, so Is 10
Identity il ad prevent the return OF any
other matter.
ON receipt of such request the post
master at the office Of address shall re-
turn such letter TO the mailing pOStmas-
ter in penalty envelope, who VIII de
liver it To the writer upon payment OF
ali expenses and Of Ietter-rate OF postage
on the ma tier returned, on the envelope
of which pCSIa gc-due stamps of the proper
value must be placed and Cancelled. and
upon the prepay Hent also OF registered
parcel, addressed to the First Assistant
Postmaster General Division of Cor
respoudence, PostOffice Department, in
which the postmaster shall enclose = I'd
transmit the application Of the writer aud
all proofs submitted By him, together
With the writer receipt for IL. and the
envelope Of the returned letter
he following form may be used IN
making application fer withdrawal Of
mali matter after despatc---
postmaster -- -
Please recall and deliver 70 myself OF
bearer letter deposited IN
about ---, -, IJ-, addressed 10
--- , ana described as follows
-, ana in the same handwriting as
this application. and which was written
By n2e or By my aathO-ity and which I
do not desire delivered TO the addressee
IoT the following reasons.
II is hereby agreed that If the letter
IS returned To M, 4 VIII protect YOU from
any and ali claims made against yoti
Tor such return, and viii fulIy indemnity
you Tor any loss you may sustain By l-ea-
son OF such action, and 1 herewith DEPOSIT
- 10 cover all expenses incurred and
VIII deliver you The envelope Of the latter
returned.
Name -
Address -
Receipt Received Ig-
OF the postmaster. the above described
piece UI mail matter for account Of tae
sender l&ame-I --
IAddreSS-I
Witness Name -
After Cauceling the stamps upon 2 let
ter the postmaster must not return il to
the person mailing It for him 10 take it
70 railway poSJoE.ce If received TOO
late 70 put in the locked pouch. the post
i-ssSter, or his assistant or sworn clerk
4--.tE- after cancellation atad postmarEEIues
take It TO the postal car. The railway
postal clerk may receive il from such
postmaster, assistant or clerk. gut Is for
hidden TO receive such Cancelled letter out
side OF the pouch from any other person.