Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-23
FURNISHING STAMPS
Controversy Between Two
Government Offices.
CLASH Is PENDING
POSTMASTER GENERALS RETURN
AWAITED WITH INTEREST.
Continuation of Criticism in Relation
to Sticking Stamp Books-Leading
Officials Silent.

Some officials at the Post Office Depart
ment are looking forward with interest to
the return of Postmaster General Payne to
the city in view Of the criticism raised re-
garding the sticking postage stamp books
which they have received from the bureau
of engraving and printing They declare
that this will prove but one of the COM
plants that will be considered in regard to
the stamps furnished the department, and
also will give rise to review of the atti-
tude Of the bureau toward the printing Of
stamps generally.
"A feeling has long existed here" said
official of the department today, when
seen by a Star reporter, ito the effect that
the bureau regards all of our work as sub
ordinate to that Of the Treasury Depart
ment.
1.-THE officials of the bureau appear to look
upon of secondary Importance, to be
served at their convenience, and we are tired
OF this relation. AS an instance of the way
they treat orders, we gave word on
February Z last for thirteen new postage
stamp designs. For the first time in the
history of the department the memory of
woman was to be honored by having her
head on one Of these stamps. The sugges-
ton that Martha Washington have her
picture on one of the stamps was enthusi-
astically received in many parts OF the
country. Nearly eight months have now
passed and We have had but four designs
made for these stamps. We will probably
not get more than four more during the
balance Of this year. The whole scheme Is
allowed to get cold before it can be realized.
We think all these things should be done
more promptly, as they would be by pri-
vate business establishment. There is
nothing we can do but protest.
Again, II We suggest a plan for having
order to meet our ideas as to the way they
should be distributed the bureau objects
and dictates how the work Is to be done.
The Postage Stamp Books.
'tIn the case Of the postage stamp books
when that was suggested the bureau
promptly said 1t was an impracticable
scheme. They could not do 1t without an
enlargement Of the building and the taking
on Of an additional force Of 300 or 400 peo-
pie. All sorts Of reasons were given to
show that the stamp books could not be
turned out successfully. We knew that
similar books were used by private COM
not be utilized by the government. The de-
partment insisted, and, finally, when the
bureau was obliged to yield 1t did so with
out any of the awful consequences that had
about the quality Of paraf11ne paper they
use, which causes the stamps to stick.
'These stamp books have been such a
success that 100000 of them have been
SOlQ canada mas adopted lne lucd anu
the Netherlands has followed. The govern
ment at Cape Colony is considering their
adoption and 1t IS understood that they will
very likely have stamp books of their own.
Throughout the world different govern
ments are considering the idea, so that it
seems quite likely that the stamp book will
become a prominent feature in the admins
tration of postal systems everywhere We
originated the idea and we want as good
stamp books as can be found anywhere
Thorough Understanding Wanted.
The impression that prevails in the de-
partment is that a thorough understanding
will be arrived at between the Postmaster
General and the bureau in regard to the
relations that are to exist in the future
before the contract for the next four years
covering the furnishing of postage stamps
is signed
Leading officials Of the Post Office and
of the Treasury Departments will not dis
cuss this matter. 1t is claimed by the Treas
ury Department that it has done everything
to comply with the wants of the postal SER
vice and that there is no cause for COM
plant.