Evening star., 1933-11-26
BY JAMES WALDO FAwCETT.

An appeal to Postmaster General
Farley to appoint trained philatelist
as an aide to Robert z. Fellers, newly
designated superintendent of the divi-
sion of stamps in the Post Office De-
partment, has been denied.
Mr.. Farley, declining to entertain the
suggestion, said that he did not be-
1ieve philatelic adviser necessary or
desirable" He insisted, however, that
'the department at all times has been
pleased to cooperate in promoting the
interests of philately generally
The philatehc press, several score
stamp societies, citizens associations and
civic bodies, and many individual COL
lectors had united to urge Mr.. Farley
to name Albert F. Kunze, president
Washington Philatelic Society, to the
proposed position.
Mr.. Fellers, it is understood, will take
charge December l, and he has indi-
Gated wish to be of all possible serv-
ice to collectors.
The Detroit News, November 10, said:
Demanding new deal for 100000
stamp collectors in the country, the
Detroit Philatelic Society has protested
to the Post Office Department against
speculative issues, poorly printed stamps
and poor service from the philatelic
agency.
I'm resolution recently adopted and
sent to Postmaster General Farley, the
society protests at the Washington
philatelic agency. established in De-
cember, 1921, to furnish collectors with
good copies of United States stamps
and which in its 13 years of existence
has transacted S2326 900 worth of
business.
The agency, it is said. is 21OO0
orders behind and collectors must wait
six to eight weeks for stamps ordered
1t is pointed out that the agency has
been denied funds and that its per-
sonnel has been reduced from l8 to 2
employees.
This has been done in the face of
President Roosevelt's public avowal that
philatelists would be given every con-
sideration. The society demands that
these conditions be remedied
Two recent stamp issues, the reSo-
luton continues, namely, the Byrd
Antarctic stamp and the 50-cent Graf
Zeppelin issue, were oStenslbly printed
for stamp collectors and for no other
reason~and are obtainable only through
the agency.
"This deplorable state of affairs is
reflection on the integrity and foresight
of the Government. 1t is violation OF
a edge, short-sighted economy and
net .ess source of irritation to thou
sands of collectors
I'm another resolution the society
speaks for upward of 100000 collec-
tors who want stamps well centered as
to perforations. Recent issues. it is
said, particularly commemorative, have
been carelessly and poorly printed, a
condition that spoils stamp for col
lecting purposes. 1t is claimed that this
imperfection is inexcusable in the light
of present day precision printing and
perforating machinery.
The Wolverine Stamp Society has
adopted and forwarded similar reSolu-
tions to Postmaster General Farley"
Robert C. King, acting superintendent
until Mr. Fellers assumes office, yester-
dav said: I'VE have 80 employees In the
philatelic agency and rapidly are catch
ing up with accumulated work .,
As to the criticism that certain
stamps have been poorly printed and
irregularly perforated, Bureau Of En-
craving and Printing officers declared
that conditions over which they have
no control may be responsible. Appro-
priation cuts in the bureau, as else
where, have had their effect. 1t would
seem that better grade of ink and
drier process Of manufacture are
needed.
Apology Is due to Mr.. Fellers tor Two
fnisspellings of his name in The Star
iest SUNDAY. The confusion of last
minute haste was the occasion OF the
errors.
Philatelic magazines abroad as well
as throughout the United States are
carrying generous tributes to Michael
1Oy,r q
stamp collectors best friend in the
Post Office Department. The story Of
his career also has been running through
the regular daily and weekly press on
both sides of the Atlantic. He has re-
ceived 50 many letters that II has been
physically impossible to answer them all.