Evening star., 1938-01-09
By James Waldo Fawceff.

DD James ~ 0L0O 0WCett.
Speaking over the N. B. G. coast-to-
coast network yesterday afternoon,
Postmaster General James A. Farley
paid tribute to philately as follows:
I'VE are all seeking q fuller life
shorter hours of work-more leisure
time-more time to engage in other
activities calculated to contribute to
our comfort and happiness. I know
Of no single avocation that takes one
away from the problems Of the day
that offers an opportunity for the
development Of ones interest in any
direction that his Imagination die
tates-equal to that Of collecting post
age stamps. In perhaps no othel
hobby Is there so much opportunity for
an expression Of ones individuality
The collectors own personal desires
and ideas are the sole guide to the
scope Of his collecting, and he is free
to specialize In the stamps Of par
ticular countries or his collection may
embrace the postal issues of the world
at large. The inspirational attain
ments inherent in stamp collecting in
sure an enrichment of character be-
yond comparison, and no other recre.
ational activity can offer such rich
rewards educationally through the ex-
tension of historical and geographical
knowledge.
Stamp collecting also has much to
offer in q material sense, it being q
well-known fact that carefully selected
collections Of stamps represent valu-
able investments.
"The Post Office Department long
since recognized the educational and
cultural benefits accruing from stamp
collecting and it will be our purpose to
continue the liberal policies of the
past through the adoption Of meas
ures and methods Of procedure calcu-
lated to further the best interests of
philately and with due regard to the
desires and requirements of all COL
lectors alike from the least to the
greatest.
I'VE would be pleased to see our
friends spend more Of their leisure
time with this hobby. not only because
Of the Joy which 1t should bring them,
but also because 1t Is within the finan-
cial reach Of every one, rich and poor
alike. The Post Office Department
has recognized this and accordingly
most Of our recent issues are of Scent
denomination-only q few have gone
as high as 10 cents in value Recent
commemorative have portrayed the
founding Of the Colonies and their
final formation into the Union Of the
United States. Our Nations growth
is shown in commemorative of Ha-
waii, Alaska. Puerto Rico and the
Virgin Islands. The God-given beauty
Of our national parks and the man.
made accomplishments of our people
are available to all in the beautiful
engravings Of our commemorative
all for the price of a postage stamp
Mr.. Farley spoke under the auspices
Of the National Federation of Stamr
Clubs Of which Harry L. Lndquist
publisher Of Stamps Magazine ano
Avocations is chairman. His ad.
dress was the first Of q series to be
continued indefinitely.
The summary of the ANNUAL report
Of the Postmaster General for 1897
released on Monday, says: Post Once
transactions in postage stamps ant
other stamped paper have continued
with total sales Of 1921 TAP 1927, a,
TO show most gratifying increase
reported in postmasters' postage STAMP
accounts, gain over last year of 81
per cent. This represents the high.
est amount Of revenue received from
this source since 1880. -.
During the year there was issued
to post offices receiving direct ship.
ments from the department total O
l9,195,25 ,564 units Of postage stamps
and stamped paper Of all classes. ar
increase Of ], 1,60e: :755, ,643 over the priol
year. 49,.
Provision was made during thu
year for an extensive program Of com.
memorative postage stamps which in.
cluded stamps Of distinctive desigr
for the centennial of Oregon Territory
and in honor Of Susan B. Anthony
as well as a special series of 10 diff.
ferent stamps in recognition Of the
Army and Navy. New airmail stamps
in the 20 and so cent denomination!
were made available to conform with
the reduced trans-Pacific airnai
rates which became effective April
21, 1887.
1.-THE receipts from the sale Of post