Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-21
Mr.. :MADDEN'S CASE
Report Of MIR. Robb to the
President.
FREED FROM BLAME
ONLY SPECIMEN STAMPS SENT
OUT BY HIM.
Had Been Practice Of the Depart
ment for Many Years and Cost
the Government Little.
FREED FROM BLAME

The Department of Justice. through As
sistant Attorney General Robb. today
transmitted to the President report OH
the subject of Assistant Postmaster Cen
eral Madden of the Post Office Department
disposing of certain stamps of the depart
ment. The report follows:
Mr.. Robb's Report.
To the President:
During the progress of the general in
vestgation of the Post Office Department
attention was directed to alleged irregu-
larities in the bureau Of the third assistant
postmaster general concerning the printing
and disposition of certain postage stamps.
The whole matter was thoroughly inves-
tigated by post office inspectors. and, act
Ing under your instructions, l have care
fully reviewed their report, together with
all exhibits filed Herewith, and have the
honor to submit the following:
1t appears that the practice has obtained
in the Post Office Department since postage
stamps were first printed of having GER
tatp number of die proofs furnished by the
contractor, and of distributing very lin
tied number Of such die proofs gratuftously
as specimens. the word specimen being
imprinted upon each die proof. Regarding
the value of these specimen stamps the
third assistant postmaster general says:
Specimen United States postage stamps
have no postage value, because the plac-
ing OF the word specimen on the face
thereof cancels their value as government
securities. They are mere bits, Of paper,
and at the contract price of cents per
thousand. find that the entire cost OF them
during my whole administration was $3.50
The distribution of such die proofs was
supposed to foster philately. or the stamp
collecting fad. which l understand has
thousands of adherents In tins country ana
abroad the result being that thousands of
stamps are purchase at their face value
by such collectors and the government not
called upon to redeem them
Inverted Centers.
In printing the various denominations Oh
the Pan-American series. issue of 1901 the
bureau of engraving and printing mad
vertently struck off a number OF sheets
with inverted centers, and some Of these
sheets escaped detection and found their
way to postmaSters in different sections OF
the country. AS soon as these stamps were
discovered collectors Immediately offered
comparatively large prices for them, and
they were known as freak stamps.
The third assistant postmaster general
verbally requested the superintendent OF
the stamp division to suggest to the direct
or of the bureau of engraving and printing
that if any more inverts' were discovered
instead of destroying them, they be turned
over to the third assistant postmaster gem
eral for specimen purposes. None being
discovered the superintendent of the stamp
division. without the knowledge of the third
assistant postmaster general. suggested
that sheet be printed. which was done,
and the sheet was turned over for sucn
specimen purposes.
Part of these stamps were Eratuitously
distributed as specimens and a record kept
of the persons TO whom they were dls-
tributed. They cost the government but
few cents, and there Is no claim on the
part Of any one that Mr.. Madden did not
act in perfect good faith In the matter
He certainly did not receive penny, di-
rectly or indirectly. for the specimens DIS
tr!buted.
In December, 1902 the third assistant post
nia ster general. in a communication. re-
uuested the bureau of engraving and print
ing to prepare in the aggregate eighty-ilve
sets of die proofs of all issues of depart
mental, newspaper and periodical stamps
which was subsequently done. 1t was the
original idea of Mr.. Madden that these
die proofs should be furnished him in
sheets, or. at best be bound in cardboard:
they WERE however. much more substantial
ly bound in book form. and were delivered
to him in March. 1903.
"All but fifteen Of these books OF proofs
were gratuitously distributed by Mr.. Mad
den and a list kept of the recipients. which
list has been verified by the inspectors.
Nothing Improper Found.
'Conceding the wisdom of a practice
which has obtained since stamps were first
used, I can find nothing improper in the
conduct of Mr.. Madden, since his integrity
is not questioned in any way. and his zeal
and devotion to the duties of his office are
attested by all.
believing that. SO long as the depart
ment distributes specimen stamps gratui-
tusly, there will be more or less unfavorable
comment and criticism. and believing that
the practice is theoretically wrong from an
administrative point of view. l recommend
that it be discontinued. and that all speci-
men and other stamps. and stamped paper
In the department, together with all steel
dies Of postage stamps not in use. be placed
under the personal and permanent custody
of the head OF the department. If it is
thought best to distribute specimen stamps
to libraries. museums and other worthy
objects a way undoubtedly be devised
so that such distribution will not be subject
to criticism. and that the very small
cost attending 1t will be borne by the re-
cipents.
Very respectfully.
(Signed CHAS. H. ROBE.
Assistant Attorney General"
Mr., Robb's Statement