Evening star., 1902-03-15
INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE.
The Difficulties in the Way of Securing
a Universal Stamp.

II observe that there has been consdera-
BILE comment in the press with reference to
the Issuing Of a universal postage stamp,
which may be used in all countries, some
persons appearing to be under the impress
sion that the issuing Of such stamp might
be effected without much difficulty" re-
marked Washington author "but in this
they are in error, also they would ap-
pear to be unacquainted with past efforts
in this direction on the part of the United
States government through it's official rep
resentatives in the different international
postal congresses heretofore held.
''The designation universal postage
stamp is also incorrect as such stamp
would be known as an international post
age stamp. The proposition to issue this
international postage stamp has been
brought before several international postal
congresses; that is, the periodical meeting
of delegates from the different countries
which constitute the universal postal union,
the last of which, it is my impression, was
held in Washington few years ago
In 1891. at the postal congress held in
Vienna. the delegates from the United
States introduced a proposition to have such
a stamp issued by the respective countries,
but it was voted down. 1t was argued by
our delegates that the time had come for
the Issuing OF such stamp, they pointing
out the inconvenience to travellers and cor
respondents in securing stamps Of other
poses. and while foreign letters may be
mailed without prepayment of postage
| their recipients are placed under a practical
| penalty of being obliged to pay double post
| age to be collected upon receipt. Other dis
| advantages of the present methods as the
unused stamps of the different countries
| are difficult to obtain, were shown, as were
the many advantages which would accrue
| to the corresponding public If an interna-
| tional stamp were obtaina1le.
These arguments were without avail,
however. and one of the main reasons is
| that the international stamps might be
/ bought in country where the fixed stand
! ard Of money value was less than in an
| other country. and they could be purchased
/ In the first instance at less actual gold
/ value and sold in another country where
/ the standard was higher at speculative
/ profit. The postal revenues of the first
| country would be enhanced at the expense
| of the postal revenues of the second coun-
| try. This is a point. which is here gone
/ into very briey, which would not occur to
the public, as the question of revenue
would be overlooked by the param cunt one
J of convenience. from the pubics stand
/ point These stamps would also be used as
| currency.
Such a stamp would be of decided con-
| venience to authors. business men, travel
1 ers, etc. In sending manuscript abroad. to
/ London, say, 1t is necessary to buy British
1 postage stamps at a slight premium, and
! the same is true In all instances where the
! sender wishes reply. l have never seen
! ministration is in favor of or against such
| a stamp. Postage stamps are used too
| much now currency in the absence of a
| more convenient medium Of transmission Of
/ small amounts through the mail, where it
| Is not desired to obtain money order, or
| TO register the letter. To a more or less
| extent the government loses on the trans
action In two ways not generally under
stood. first. the postmaster's salary and
allowances at presidential offices, and 1t is
IN the large offices where the great bulk of
Or ra 1or r-~n1ry
| lated by these sales, and where persons buy
! their stamps In quantities at a large post
ONCE, and then deposit their letters for
mailing in a fourth-class office, where the
postmaster's compensation Is regulated by
| his cancellations, the government pays two
individuals for what should be practically
one service or transa ction
| However, the international postage
stamp may yet come. The return inter-
national postal card now in use is the first
| step. 1t is proposed to have a return en-
velope. When this last proposition carries
I In an international postal congress, there
may be some hope of an international most
age stamp, but until then the public NAV
rest content that such a stamp is a long
way from realization"