The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02
TO CHECK STAMP THEFTS.
Post once Authorities Considering a
New Plan.
From the Washington Times.

| From the Warrington Times
Inspectors are anxious to have the Post
! ONCE Department adopt a series Of marks for
stamps which will make II possible 10 trace
! stolen stamps with less trouble Department
officials are considering suggestions offered
by some of the experienced inspectors
| II would be possible to mark all the stamps
sent TO each flrst-class post Office In such a
manner that they could be identified with
! ease A slight variation In the engra wing
which would not alter the appearance Of
stamps to the casual observer could easily
be made. One Inspector has suggested that
. darts. arrows stars, circles, and other en-
bems be printed on the stamps in such man
ner that they may be seen only with the aid
of microscope.
A separate mark could not be devised for
each Of the 5000 post offices in the United
States and no attempt would pe made at any
suoh complex system Of ident i1catiOn II IL
not likely that post offices below the frst class
will be given an individual mark as the num-
Der OF stamps kept at the smaller offices is
comparatively small and the losses from such
Offices is not Rrent enough TO Justify the ez
pense entailed in providing them with stamps
different from those used al other offices
1t has been suggested that all the stamps
for second-class post offices be provided with
a mark which will designate the class Of post
Office from which they were issued and that a
similar mark be- devised for all the stamps
sent to the smaller offices. This system would
narrow the scope of the inspectors work and
might be adopted AT small expense.
One official Is OF the opinion that the best
way to mark stamps would he to print wish IL
bars across the face of all stamps excepting
those issued to frst-cnss offices He would
have two bars across tn" stamps sent TO
second-class offices three bars on the third
class Office stamps. and four bars TO designate
the stamps issued by the f0urth-class offices
This plan would probably meet with much
opposition, M n would mar the artistic APP
pearance of the engraving
III the plan for the Identification OF stamps
had been adopted last year the theft of $40 600
worth of stamps from the Chicago post Office
would probably not have occurred. No thief
could dispose of such large number OF stamps
40 we'll marked that they could he Identified
this time inspectors have not found any OF the
stamps taken from the Chicago ONCE, and they
believe the stamps are still held by thieves:
Among the property woS 300 worth OF special
delivery stamps All the 2-ceut stamps taken
were Of the type in use last year. IL they have
not been disposed Of before this time 1t 10 not
likely they will ever be- Sold AZ q large guam
tity of the old-fashioned stamps in one part of
the country would Immediately arouse slls-
picon.
The Governments loss in stolen stamps is
ness done by the Post Once Department.
Aside from the Chicago loss. the stamps
stolen during the fiscal year ending June 30,
1902. amounted TO only S20.ONO The report
for the fiscal year which ended last month
has not vet been compiled