New-York tribune., 1906-07-22
NEW CONSULAR STAMPS.
United States WiU Checb Offciag
Fees Hereafter.
Irrom nc rrlbune pureau. ]

Washington, July A-Consular stamps In vivid
greens, yellows and reds the latest things in
the way OF government seals to delight the souls OF
phllatelists. The stamps have just been issued
under authority OF the act for the reorganization
OF the consular service of the United States. and
they are intended 70 bring about great reform in
the system Of accounting Of our consular officers
abroad. In abolishing personal fees in the Amer
lean consular service the new law provides for
system Of checking every consular notarial act
performed by consul in the issuance OF invoices.
oills of health. landing certificates. ETC.. which
form the greater part OF a consul's work. On
every document thus issued the consul must aftix
an official stamp. on which is printed the equiva-
lent money value for the performance Of the
service. The system adopted by this government is
practically the that which the British
government has had in successful operation for
some time.
The first supply Of these stamps has been printed
ana sent out by the State Department to American
consular officers in every part of the world. This
supply is intended to last for the first quarter Of
the year Records of the business done at con-
sulates were used as a basis for estimating the
amount OF the first supply. About 100000 in stamps
Were sent out, and consuls were directed 20 make
d reSuisltion at once to the State Department for
nv me G;reogn desgns for the new stamps prepared
Gu and i % 5Ilnung and Engraving, and very neat
anu a. S!InpIe design was hit upon. The six denom-
"a IN snare the stamps rectangular and the paper
s Sa WiI[e AZ the top are printed the words Amer
A-~
ssston st IS gwen and at the bottom the words Fee
eaInp The lettering is in colors according to the
be bbeitGIlnation tb nat represented The 81 so stamp will
@ oS LNe one most used, this is the usual nOtaral
q sn6 % Iav0lce charge To get bill OF health from
2 cons9l costs about S. while the $40 stamps will
ESsse PS Ssed only for exceptional service BY the new
SSSSUeiH the person who has a service performed
6,xe 9g consular % officer requires that stamp be
a11Aeu 20 ,tne document, and this denotes the
amount am OF fee to be paid for the service The con
gu SUI cancels the stamp by writing his initials and
me ne oSte across 1t or afixing the consular seal
in this way ~ ~
The State Department has a record of the exact
number OF stamps issued to each consul and there
70 lore II VIII be possible to keep accurate check
on on me amount of fee work done by the consuls
San6aroT al or which fees under the law must be
rendered 10 the United States government. One
OF Ia me principal sources of corruption under
oId FORM OF consular service the hopelessly in
ACCURATE IS system Of accounting. which enabled
SSuIS 70 collect extortionate fees and pocket the
larger gn percentage without the knowledge OF the
government EX-AsSiStant Secretary of State
rgirce IN his tour of inspection of American con-
Sulares IN the Orient. found the system of col
!ectlon or fees and accounting to be wide open to
corruption and upon his return strongly recon-
nlenoed change in the system, favoring that in
use oy the British government. Secretary Hay
tavored something of the sort during his tenure
OF of ofice. 1t was agreed to adopt the system in
the new consular law. The new Stamps viii prob
ably be priced by phlatelists as they will not be