The Washington times., 1902-06-20
Sends One to House Com
mittee Which He Be-
lieveS Will Answer.
SHOWS NEED OF 4 SAFE METHOD
Wants People to Have Advantage of 1t
at as Early Date as Possible-Let-
tiers at Present Constant Source of
Temptation to Those Handling Them.

Postmaster General Payne yesterday
sent communication to Chairman
Loud of the House Postal Affairs Com
mittee, strongly urging the passage OF
q bill by Congress providing for the
adoption of some form of postal curren-
cy, and enclosing bill drawn up unds-
his direction which he thinks will meet
the requirements of the situation.
Attached to the communication was
copy of the House bill providing for "a
safe and convenient method of sending
money in small amounts By mail, and to
increase the postal revenues" which Is
Identical with bill introduced in the
Senate by Senator Mcmillan of Michi-
gan. Mr.. Payne also inclosed copies OF
the majority and minority reports of the
committee appointed to investigate the
rency.
Post Check Scheme.
Discussing a report of the committee
upon the post check scheme, Mr.. Payne
says:
After several meetings were held
there developed a disagreement upon
the part of the committee as to the
advsability of adopting the system
known as the post check, and l sub
nit herewith a copy Of the majority and
minority opinions.
In submitting the report of the COM
mittee | deem it my duty to say that
think there is great need OF some
% al and that
vided for In the bills under considera-
tion is very simple, easily understood.
and would prove an incalculable conven-
| ieuce to the public, II the bills could be
enacted into law.
Would Find Way.
II do not doubt IL Congress in Its Wis
dom should pass upon some measure
the executive officers of the Government
would find a way to carry into effect its
provisions. Innumerable remittances OF
small amounts are made through the
mails daily, and, up to this time. the
Government has provided no convenient
and inexpensive method to meet this de-
mand other than the existing money Or
der system.
Millions OF our people live more or
less remote from any postofice. and a
very large portion OF them are una Die
to buy a money order or oanH draI'
without inconvenience. 1t is not unrea-
sonable to expect from the Government
that 1t will provide an easy, convenient,
and safe method to transmit small
sums. say less than 81 In amount, with
out putting the sender to the inconven-
fence and expense which now obtains IN
| ~; 70 q hrlIr
postoffice money order. and the Dill IN
question aims to provide such method
Feeling strongly that it is the duty
of the Postoffice Department to go as
far as possible in meeting the situation
| instructed the committee representing
this department to report TO me what
II ANYTHING, could be done by the POST
office Department, of itself. to meet the
situation and furnish more conven-
lent and less expensive method OF trans
mission of small amounts through tht
mails, relying solely on the Postoihce
Department to carry such measure intS
execution and take pleasure IN incios
ing with the report of the committed
a bill prepared by the comInittee si,
which, as far as this department Is aoi'
to do. l believe will accomplish TIT
end in view.
Urges Acceptance.
81 urge upon your committee the i'm
portance of cnactiDg this measure into
law, so that our people may have ths
advantage of it at as early a date as
possible. Hundreds of thousands OF let
ters carrying small amounts In the iorn
of ordinary currency or silver. or post
age stamps. are transmitted through th'
mails every year.
These letters are a constant tempta
tion to those handling them. as 1t Il
easy to identify letters inclosing cur
! rency. and the postal checks provided
for in the proposed bill would be mucl
more easily obtained and cheaper thai
the present money order, and. with tn
extension Of the rural free delivery ser
vice to the remote parts of the country
would go far to provide cheap, conven
, iont and safe method to transmit small
amounts through the mails, and woul
be available in those sections not here
tofore covered by or adjacent to tn
money order offices or the banks Of tn
country.
: Respectfully.
HENRY C. PAYNE,
Postmaster General"