Evening star., 1947-04-27

Tie FUSt olllCe OSpaIJlIlellU OllGc
again has yielded to the demand
of collectors for more careful ham
ding of all mail-not merely covers
specifically labeled philatelic. In the
Postal Bulletin for Tuesday last
there appeared the following no.,
tice:: I'm spite of repeated admon-
ishments, the department continues
to receive complaints from philatel-
lists relative to poor cancellations of
stamps and stamps becoming torn
while being postmarked on cam
ceiling machine. Examination of
the torn stamps indicates the usage
of worn separator rubbers on the
machines or improper adjustment
of the separator. These are delin-
quencies which are attributable
solely to poor operation and lack of
care of the machine, and can easily
be corrected by referring, If neces-
sary, to the book of instructions
which was furnished with the ma
chine. Postmasters are directed,
therefore, to see to it that the en-
ploye or employees assigned to service
canceling machines performs the
duties required in connection there
with so that these justifiable COM
plants are eliminated. Postmasters
are directed further to issue the
necessary instructions to the per-
sonnel of their offices that no en-
ploye who has not been designated
to service canceling machines is to
change the adjustment of the sepa-
rator, or other moving parts, and
any employe found violating such
instructions will be subject to dis
ciplinary action"
This means that the Third and
Fourth Assistant Postmasters Gen.
eral, jointly sponsoring the order
quoted. have recognized publicly
that every cover passing through
the mail has potential philatelie
value and is entitled to fair treat
ment. If their order is not obeyed
it will be up to the collecting public
to bring the facts to their atten-
tion. Stamps improperly Cancelled
or stripped" in progress through
maladjusted machines should be. re-
ported Immediately.
An AP dispatch from Berlin, dated
April 10. reports that the Allied Con-
troll Council for Germany has "for-
bid the sale, purchase. exchange or
display of postage stamps issued
during the Nazi regime" Postal
officials were ordered to destroy all
such postal adhesives. Violations of
the directive are to be punished with
fines, imprisonment or both. Since
of thousands of the stamps
thus scheduled for suppression al
ready have been distributed through
out the world, the net result of
cracking down" in the erstwhile
Reich at this late date will be to
create increased buyer demand
wherever the material is available
and to stimulate prices. Mekeels
Weekly Stamp News says remark
able jump" occurred Immediately
after the order was promulgated.
N. r. Hoover writes: "The foreign
Hyde Park commemorative issued
oy a number of small countries
= haven't had a healthy odor.
Poland seems to be employing
postage stamps in a bid for respec-
liability. A stamp in homage to
Marie Sklodowska (Mme. Pierre
curie), famous physicist, has been
released. Frederic Francois Chopin,
pianist and composer, also has been
portrayed on a cultural" label. The
designs of these propaganda stick
ers do not include the Communist
they should under the
unfortunate circumstances Of their
production.
Only Great Britain has a valid
right to picture William Shakespeare
on postage stamps. The ultra con-
servative policies of the British
government interfere with such a I
and proper gesture of ap-
preciation. Perhaps King George
vi and the heir presumptive, Prin-
cess Elizabeth. both practitioners of
the worlds favorite hobby, might
do something constructive to solve
the problem. Why not whole
series Of stamps devoted to Eng
lands heroes Of peace? The pos
sihilities are infinite. No other
country in the world--not even the
United States has greater writer's,