Evening star., 1902-09-15
STAMP BOOKS STICK
Trouble in the Post Office
Department.
MAY HOLD UP CONTRACT
BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND
PRINTING BLAMED.
Controversy That May Affect Employ
ment of People in
This City.

Trouble is brewing in the Pos; Office De-
partment over the widespread complaints
that are being received in relation to the
stamp books that are furnished by the
bureau OF engraving and printing and are
sold all over the country The parafline
paper. like a good many other articles on
sale in these days of commercial progress,
is lacking the essential feature of its make
up 1t lacks paraffine, or at least has very
little paraffine in it, and the result is the
stamps stick to it. not only when in the
warm and moist vest pockets of the pur-
chasers. where they are under pressure
but even when they are lying loosely on
the counter of a postmaster awaiting sale.
These complaints have resulted in a de-
crease in the number of sales of stamp
books. and the poor quality of the parafine
paper is discrediting them everywhere.
Of Interest to Employees.
This is the cause of the trouble, but the
result may be of the greatest in
terest to the 300 employees of the bu-
reau of engraving and printing who are en-
gagged this work. Throughout the Post
Office Department it is being suggested
that this condition may result in failure
to have the contract under which the bu-
rSau was to make the stamps during the
next four years signed. and thar the con-
tract NAV eventually go to the American
Bank Note Company of New York.
There is a Discrimination on the part of
employees of the department to discuss this
matter. but it is being whispered about that
the Postmaster General still has power to
withhold the contract although preliminary
steps have been taken toward awarding
it TO the bureau A good deal of resentment
Is felt on the part of some officials of the
department because OF the criticism that
is being heard on account of the quality of
stamp books that being furnished them.
and it is said To he quite possible that
Tecommenda ton will be made to the Post
master General favoring a contract with
the American Bank Note Company unless
some assurances are received from the bu-
that stamp books Will be furnished
OF d satisfactory quality.
Postmaster General Payne is not in the
City. and today MIR. Madden, the third as
sistant, was acting postmaster general.
When seen by Il Star reporter and asked
concerning the reports. Mr.. Madden de
c!inad to make any statement. saying he
did not wish to gi!e the matter publicity
Trouble in the Past
The trouble being had about the stamp
books recalls the tribulatfoEs of the depart
Ineut in securing these books of a proper
quality. Over 5.O00Ooo books have been
sold. and it is believed by officials of the
department that the stamp book has been
proven to be Il success. When it was first
issued, tsO years ago. the paraffine paper
was of inferior quality and the stamps
stuck ~ it. The department then selected
the paraffine paper thatwas to be used and
for --edr no more trouble was experienced
But six months ago the quality of the paper
de,eriorated, presumably because the bu-
reaU was seeking to effect saving by buy
ing cheaper paper. All during the past
summer complaints have been received that
the books have been only an annoyance to
their purchasers. Orders have been issued
that pOstmasters should refund money for
any stamp books that have been injured by
sticking and these books SO returned are
sent back TO the bureau. But compare tive
ly Few people will take the trouble to re-
turn the books They pull the stamps apart
snd use them as best they can.
Then they purchase no more Of them
The fact that the defective books are
having this effect is proven by the filling
oil of the number OF sales. The officials
OF the department. declare that they do
not propose TO see good thing like the
S-amD book made useless if they can avoid
It. The book has not only in the past
helped 20 populdriZsd the department. but
II has made an extra revenue. There is
a profit on the book itself, In addition 10
the profit on the stamps. Up TO the pres
ent time the book itself has net;ed profit
OF about SlGopu.