Evening star., 1936-03-29

OdlIlCS n. Oh ICY
has authorized a 3 cent commemora-
tive for the centenary of the settle
ment of Oregon Territory. 1T was
largely through the pioneering efforts
of the early settlers" he says that
there was brought about great in
fux of immigration to this vast region,
which today constitutes one-seventh
Of the total area of the United States"
Many different first-day sales points
are forecast, but at present Walla
Walla, Wash, and Lewiston, Idaho,
seem to have special favor.
As announced exclusively in The
Star on Wednesday last, series OF
postage stamps to commemorate the
adoption of the Constitution has been
proposed by Representative Sol Bloom
of New York. chairman and director
general of the Constitutional Sesqul-
centennial Commission.
In tentative report recommending
enabling legislation" he said: 1T is
proposed to issue series OF stamps
commemorating the Sesquicentennlal
Of the Constitution. Not only would
this be a fitting tribute. but more
practical end also is in view. -Four
years ago. in 1882, during the period
in which the bicentennial of the birth
Of George Washington was celebrated,
the Post Office Department at the re-
quest of the Blcentennial Commission
issued a series of IL postage stamps.
ranging in denomination from p cent
10 10 cents. and more than 10000 100000
of those stamps were sold during the
bicentennial year. SO profitable were
they that the receipts far exceeded the
Appropriation for the Bicentennial
Celebration. actually resulting in a
profit of about half million dollars to
the Government. Thus it is submitted
that to issue special series of stamps
will also prove a desirable feature OF
the Constitution celebration"
Mr.. Bloom submits two suggested
lists of designs, as follows: No. lie,
portrait of George Washington, seated,
holding the Constitution in the form
Of an enrolled scroll; &c, reproduc-
ton of a painting Of the signing of
the Constitution SC. picture of the
Constitution in the form Of an open
book, with the words I'VE. the Peo-
pie" standing out; 4c. picture of the
shrine in the Library of Congress con-
tanning the Constitution; SC, por-
trait of James Madison. by Stuart or
Peale; &c, portrait OF Alexander
Hamilton. by Trumbull. Stuart or
Robinson; 7c, a portrait of Benjamin
Franklin, by Du Plessis; &c. por-
trait Of James Wilson; &c. picture
OF Independence Hall; 10c, a portrait
Of John Marshall, by Jarvis, lie, a
portrait Of Gouverneur Morris, "the
chief writer and stylist of the Con-
stitution." and 12c, a reproduction of
the Statue Of Liberty. No. 2-12c,
Supreme Court Building; 1c, Frank
lin: 112c. Constitution shrine; &c.
Washington; Sc, Madison; 4c. HAM
ilton; SC, signing of the Constitution;
&c, Morris; 7c, Independence Hall
(also for stamped envelops, y, /, l12,
2, 3 and cent varieties; &c, John
Jay; &c, Marshall; 10c. Capitol; 12c,
Statue of Liberty; 13c, etc. great
seals of the States and other designs
suitable for celebration by each State
of its ratification of the Constitution
or its admission into the Union.
This series of stamps, destined to
become Of great historic value, will be
of special interest to philatelists and
historical associations, museums and
libraries" Mr.. Bloom believes. THE
revenue to be derived from sales Of
special stamps may be more than suf
ficient to defray all expenses incurred
by the United States Constitution
Sesquicentennial Commission"
If the project is approved, all
stamps may be placed on sale at the
Philatelic Agency Of the Post Office
Department in Washington, Septem-
Der II, 1887. The following day, Sep
tember 1s. those stamps which honor
a particular State, or individual of
that State, might be placed on sale
at the State capital. 1t is suggested
that the stamp bearing the portrait of
Benjamin Franklin (the founder of
the American postal system) be
placed on sale first at Philadelphia
On the third day, September 10, all
the stamps would be available at every
post Office IN the United States, its
territories and possessions"
Mr.. Bloom particularly wishes it
understood that nothing final has
been decided in these matters. We
want advice, suggestion and even
criticism from all who are interested"
The Washington Air Mail Society
has appealed to President Roosevelt to
cancel the plan for the Army and Navy
series and to request, instead, set
In tribute to the patriotic American
men and women who have served their
country in peaceful fields Of enterprise.
Albert F. Kuaze, writing in Weekly
Philatelc Gossip says: When an en-
deavor Is to be made toward stimu-
iating patriotism, the dictionary mean
ing Of the word should not be for
gotten. Patriotism is the love of ones
country"
He then argues convincingly for
stamps to hcuor such heroes of
peace" as Washington Irving, Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow, Ralph Waldo
Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Robert
Fulton, Eli Whitney, Samuel F. B.