Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-03
MR.. sHALLENBERaER's REPORT.
The Question Of an International
Stamp Discussed.

The Question Of an International
Stamp Discussed.
The annual report of Mr.. w. s. Shallen-
berger the second assistant postmaster
general, was rendered to the Postmaster
General today.
The report contains an interesting record
of the first years work and many valuable
suggestions.
1t contains an important recommendation
in regard to an International stamp. The
report says:
Another matter which is certain to come
before the congress which Is to convene in
Rome in 1904, is the subject Of universal
stamp or some substitute for 1t which Will
facilitate International correspondence.
Several countries of the Postal Union have
within the past year addressed communiea-
lions to this country. notably the Neither
lands and France, suggesting each a di1-
ferent form Of prepaid reply mfss1Ve
These communications have been referred
to this office for consideration, and have
induced to give some thought to the
subject. Several Objectionable features can
be named against the successful practlcal
operation of the universal postage stamp.
and well against any reply mlssiVe Wnlcn
depends for it's prepaid postage on the use
of a stamp printed and sold In another
country.
Every country Is disposed to jealousy
guard its right to receive cash In advance
for the service 1t undertakes to perform
in mailing a letter, especially when that
service may involve the payment of cash
to an intermediary as a transit charge for
conveyance.
1 suggest plan which requires that every
reply letter shall have upon 1t the stamp OF
the country in which 1t Is mailed, and yet
a stamp that may be conveniently paid for
in the country which has invited the reply.
1 recommend that one or more countries
of the Postal Union be requested to enter
into agreement with the United States to
test this plan In advance OF the meeting OF
the postal congress in 1904 as follows:
Each country to prepare and sell special
government envelopes of light weight and
good quality. to be entitled internationai
reply postage envelopes" to be sold for 10
cents, or so centimes, each, having one D.
cent stamp, or it's equivalent. embossed on
the upper right-hand corner, to be can
stamp on the left Of the envelope to
remain uncanceled. the first named stamp
to pay outward postage halr-ounce weight
the last-named to render the envelope, when
relieved Of Its Enclosure, good for the pur-
chase of a reply stamp of like value at any
postoffice in the country OF destinatio
postmasters to be instructed to take credit
for these envelopes In, their stamp account
and to forward them to the central office
to be redeemed for cash by the country OF
origin In accounts between the two coun-
tries.
The practice which has long prevailed in
this country OF exchanging for stamps OF
like value government envelopes which
have spoiled in addressing or otherwise
suggests administrative details which need
not be referred to here, but which are en-
tirelv practicable.
1t Is believed that the use of these enve-
lopes would greatly stimulate international
correspondence. fully protect the revenues
of the several countries and be found
very great convenience to an ever-increas-
ing number of people who desire to prepay
n cOrreSn0n6AnCp