New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-08-22
PLAN FOR NEW POSTAGE.
UNIFORM STAMP FOR ALL COUNTRIES
RECOMMENDED.
InY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

RECOMMENDED.
InY TELEGRAPH TO TRIBUNE.l
Washington. Aug. 1.-THE great desderatum OF
prepaid replies letters sent abroad appears to De
found through a device OF the Second Assistant
Postmaster General. Mr.. Shal1enberger. to which
may be given practical trial by the United States
and more European countries at once. For
many years efforts have been made to secure plan
satisfactory to the International Postal Union by
which letter could be mailed in one country to
person in another and the reply prepaid Inc SUD
ject has become of great Importance to American
manufacturers, who searching every corner OF
the earth for markets. No country in the Postal
Union possibly have greater interest than the
United States in devising convenient and inexpen-
sive method of mailing a letter in one cou'ry I'd
a correspondent in another and at the same time
preparing the reply said Mr.. Shallenberger to-
day Several suggestions looking to this END nave
been presented in the last ten years. During the
administration of Mr.. Wanamaker the delegates of
the United States to the Postal Congress of Vienna
ably presented his views in favor of the adoption OF
a uniform postage stamp for all countries OF the
Postal Union. Such stamp would relieve travel
lers from the need of purchasing new and differ
ent stamps in every country visited These stamps
could also be incosed in letters mailed from one
country to another. and thus prepay reply.
The objections urged in the Postal Congress OF
Vienna to the adoption of such stamps were con-
vincng. and have not yet been overcome. The
slight difference in the exchange value or such
stamps which might be purchased largely In one
country and sold at profit in another was one or
the objections urged Every country in the Postal
Union derives It's principal postal revenue from the
sale of its stamps Many countries look with
distrust upon any system which imperis in any
way Its own revenue.
THE PLAN OF MR.. SHALLENBERGER.
The plan which I propose seeks to avoid the
speculative possibilities inherent in the universal
postage stamp. and at the same time fully pro-
tecss the postal revenue Of all other countries OF
the Postal Union. Not only So but it would largely
increase the postal revenues of many countries
by greatly stimulating first class correspondence
The foreign immigrants in this country are not
only anxious to hear from friends in other coun-
tries, but s a rule. abundantly able to prepay
a reply. II would therefore be reasonable to expect
a much larger use of this privilege by the United
States than by any other country of the Postal
Union.
propose that each country provide a special
Postal Union envelope with prepaid reply. this
envelope to nave the usual five cent or p cent
stamp imprinted thereon. paying out postage half
weight: TO have in addition to this coupon
imprint the face of the envelope giving to the
envelope exchange value In stamps OF the couli-
try of destination at any of it's postofices OF 20
centimes the equivalent thereof. and redemp-
ton value the international Bureau. Berne
Switzerland. when presented by the central ONCE
the country of destination of 30 centimes or lis
equivalent.
In order to provide for the postage. the incidental
expenses of exchange and redemption together
with the actual cost of the envelope. 1t would be
necessary to sell these envelopes singy for Il cents
the United States and GO centmes. or the equiVa-
lent thereof in other countries. IN quantities the
actual cost Of the envelopes would of course. not
Justify charge Of one cent each. or Ave centimes
The imprint on these envelopes would be IN me
French language. which is the official language OF
nstr"fton. Would be in the hands OF every post
master in the several countries using men en- ne
eved Of their Enclosure and presented TO any post
master In the ~ 91 a county Of the value
. confines. the equivalent thereof not o'heF-
wise negotiable
IDENTIFICATION OF ENVELOPES
The imprint should also declare that this coupon
envelope when presented by the central admins
tration Of the country Of destination at the once
of the International Bureau of the Universal fos'ai
Union at Berne would be there redeemanie IN k''u
or in cash at Of 30 centimes. or the eauiFa
lent thereof for each and every envelope. fost-
masters could readily Identify these envelopes IN
exchange for stamps. as they would all nave oeeh
duly accredited by the country or origin hhFi's
passed through the malls.
The accounting would be such that pos'rnaS'erS
would take credit for them in their stamp &C
counts. The central administration OF each couh-
try could forward stated times all envelopes COZ
lected and classified coming from number OF
countries OF the Postal Union ana FORWARD them
the clearing house FOR settlement az oaIanns
s 30 De p Tbs additional charge would it thought
fully compensate for cost Of exchange and redemp-
position 20 reduce postage between distant couh-
tries and the desire facilitate correspondence
might Indeed. suggest a charge OF II cents or %
centines for envelopes when sold singly. ana yet
afforded any correspondent OF SEND
ing with his communication to friend In a distant
coIntry what would amount TO postal money
order or post check preparing a reply TO the let
ter would be worth 10 him one cent. or hVe cen
times, IL Is thought
CHANCES FOR A TEST.
The trial of this plan need not necessarily await
favorable action Of the Universal Postal Congress-
Two or more countries might agree together 10
test f. Postmasters could be advised OF the sew
eraI countries having such agreements or conven-
tons between them. as they are now adFiseH OF tne
countries having parcels post conventions between
them These envelopes, having an exchsngeabie
Line NJ less than half their original cost ana nav
10 that Interchangeable value only IN stamps In
re- country of destination, and being redeemabie
III, AZ the international Bureau In Berne. or at
ha central office OF administration in the country
~ origin could not easily be used as currency or
FOR speculative purposes might be fullE protected
-. law as government paper against counterfeit
~ and nv reason of their safety, convenience
nnd inerDensiye features would commend them
I.s Va The class of people who expect TO use them
promptly in actual correspondence
sESOTICENTENNI OF CHURCH.