The New York herald., 1922-07-27
Changing the Stamps.
Post once Department, Explains
Why View Series May BE Adopted.

Why New Series May Be Adopted.
TO Tsrs NEW Yoax HrsAIp: have
read your editorial article Of July 81
~stii Moro Mcddling" and note your
criticism relative 10 changes in designs
OF postage stamps which the Postmas-
ter-General has under consideration. As
the issue OF postage stamps Is under the
jurisdiction Of this bureau am writing
yeu with a view OF placing before you
the condition which prompts the De-
partment 20 give consideration TO new
issue.
You appear to be OF the impression
that a new issue OF stamps ia being con-
sidered because of the desire for new
designs by stamp collectors. Tho De-
partment's consideration OF q new issue
has not been advanced by demands from
collectors but entirely because the in
terest OF the service undoubtedly war;
rants a change from the present Issue
Therefore. I'm order that you may form
an opinion as 70 whether the expense
of q new issue. IN the event tho Post
master General authorizes the change. II
Justified and necessary. ! am pleased 10
submit certain facts concerning the De-
partmcnt's criticism OF the present series.
The Postmasser-oenerai has insisted
that the strictest economy be practiced
IN the postal service In order that no
deficit shall exist. Thcrefore. were 4
not for the fac, that tho arguments ad-
vanced by postal employees are worthy
OF note. no consideration would be given
70 a change for collectors alone.
In response 20 appeals OF the Post-
mastor-Gcnerai for suggestions for the
bctterrnent OF the postal service thou
sands OF letters suggesting a new issue
OF postage stamps have been received
from employees of tho postal service
whU have pointed out the advisability
OF q more distinct variation In designs
for postage STAMPS. as well az colors
that DO not possess a striking similarity.
The Department tnows that thousands
of collars IN revenue are lost yearly 20
the postal service. que 60 striking sim
ilarity of sfamp.. 90 well ne very little
deviation IN color. which prevents postal
employees from detecting short paid
mall matter This liability 20 error ~
Increased ny cancellation. which often
obllserates the nnmeral ON the stamps
10 such extent that errors cannot be
detected promptly In fact. The present
Issue bears - many features siike that
errors nov made IN handling mail with
these stamps aftarhsd ara sn the major
fty OF cmsrs sxcnrnbie. Particularly In
thss true IN many of the larger post
of,oes. where mercury vapor iight is
now bsing ured You wiil observe on
investigation the similarity In coiors be-
tween tha one and eleven cent. six. nine
and thiry cent. twelve cent and III,
eight and thirteen cent. and the ave ana
thirty cent stamps Innsfnuch ss the
rtamp~ from the one 10 seven cent de-
nominations bear the portrait OF wash
ineton and tse eiEhf cent 90 % bear
the portrait jf Franklin. postal clerks
cannot easily distinguish the dencmina-
sion IN the rapid hansrins Of mail because
Of the lack of distinctive features that
were 90 popular In the isos series.
with reference 10 the new special de-
livery stamp placed on sale July i1 n
viii probably be of interes, 10 khssw that
tho cost for the preparation 81 a master
die for the issue ~ these stamps
amounted 90 only ttsssi. The prep
ara,ion of printing plates did not m
voivo an additional expenditure of one
cent. because the plates of new designs
Of posta8 stamped paper of the rexu-
lar issue are not prepared until plates