Page images
PDF
EPUB

3. The registry dispatch receipt card of manifold bill shall be placed on the local or No. 1 working package, immediately under the facing slip, with the word "Registers" prominently exposed. The facing slip shall be placed across the package with the lower half of the slip turned under the registered letters and special-delivery letters, if any, thereby exposing the registry card or bill and the word "Registers" on the card or bill to view at all times. The registry dispatch receipt card or manifold bill shall always be placed on top of the local or No. 1 working package; in the absence of such a package, the card or bill shall be treated as provided in paragraph 2. Registered letters shall, when practicable, be placed on top of the local or No. 1 working package, if there is such a package, regardless of the fact that there is other registered matter for dispatch which can not be conveniently included in that package.

4. Registered matter shall not be included in city packages unless inclosed in direct pouch for city addressed, nor in "State packages of ordinary mail."

5. In offices where registry and mailing sections are separate and the outgoing package of ordinary mail first to be worked has been tied out in the mailing section, it need not be untied to insert registered matter subsequently brought to the mailing section. Such matter shall be tied on top of the local or No. 1 working package of ordinary mail with the registry receipt card or manifold bill on top, so as to expose the words "Registers" or "Registry bill No. -," or otherwise handled in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 6.

6. Registered parcels which can not be tied with the ordinary mail on account of size or shape, and which on this account might become mislaid if dispatched loose in the pouch, shall be inclosed, if possible, in unaddressed, unnumbered, and unsealed registered jacket envelopes, used merely as containers; otherwise they shall be placed loose in the pouch. The unsealed jacket shall be securely closed with clips or string so that the parcels will not become loose in the pouch.

7. The entry on the manifold bill or registry dispatch receipt card of any registered article which is not included in the local or No. 1 working package or in the unsealed jacket where properly used under paragraph 2 shall be preceded by the letter "L" (loose in pouch) or "O" (outside of pouch) as may be appropriate. When registers are dispatched outside of or loose in an iron or brass lock pouch the destinations of these registers shall be shown on the registry dispatch receipt card or manifold bill, in addition to the other particulars required.

8. When any iron or brass lock pouch or rotary-lock pouch or sack contains a specialdelivery registered article, the label of the sack or pouch shall be marked "Special delivery." When such a pouch contains an air mail registered article and is to be transmitted over any portion of the route by other than airplane, the label shall be marked "Air mail."

1233. Registered mail may be dispatched also under rotary-lock pouches and sacks, registered jacket envelopes, State pouches, sacks, and jackets, split-paper jackets, iron and brass-lock pouches, and (when specially authorized) lead-sealed sacks. Except where otherwise modified the general regulations and instructions relating to the registry system shall apply to these dispatches also.

1234. Postal employees shall use the lightest equipment practicable in dispatching registered mail. Pouches or sacks shall not be used when a registered jacket envelope or a split-paper jacket will properly carry the registered matter. (See sec. 1256 as to rotary-lock pouches or sacks for registered mail of unusual value.)

1235. None but the locks intended therefor shall be used in making rotary-lock dispatches. These locks shall not be used for any other purpose. (See sec. 1368.) 1236. Rotary locks of special combinations shall not be used for other than the pur80814-38

4

poses for which they are specially authorized. Postal employees shall record such locks in a manner similar to other rotary locks.

1237. A bill shall be prepared as indicated by the prescribed form (see sec. 1220 as to particulars required in billing) and sent in each rotary-lock pouch or sack (see sec. 1221).

1238. Rotary-lock pouches or sacks shall be inspected and labeled before any articles are placed therein. Each article shall then be checked against the corresponding entry on the bill and the bill checked against the label of the pouch or sack, and the lock numbers proved correct. The articles shall be tied together in bundles in order of their entry on the bill and placed with the original of the bill in the pouch or sack, which immediately shall be locked securely. (See sec. 1268 as to witnessing.) No rotary lock shall be used that is broken or wanting in any of its parts, is imperfect in the operation of its rotary numbers, or is difficult to unlock; and all locks shall be tested before use.

2. The bill shall be placed under the first registered article tied in the letter package; but should a pouch or sack jacket contain only parcel matter which can not readily be tied into a package, the bill shall be placed inside a penalty envelope, marked to indicate that it contains the registry bill, and dropped into the pouch or sack.

3. After locking, the lock numbers shall be checked against the carbon counterpart of the bill retained in the files of the dispatching office. Postal employees locking pouches and sacks shall shake the locks, and endeavor to turn the shackle, to make certain that the lock is securely fastened.

4. The requirements of this section as to checking of registered articles with the bill shall be strictly followed unless otherwise directed by the Third Assistant Postmaster General, Division of Registered Mails.

1239. Hand-to-hand receipt shall be obtained for dispatches of registered mail in paper jackets or in pouches or sacks closed with rotary locks, whenever practicable. Unless it is known that hand-to-hand receipt can be obtained over the entire route, pouches or sacks used to inclose registered matter shall not be filled so that they can not be inclosed in a No. 2 iron-lock pouch.

1240. Postal employees who receive or dispatch rotary-lock pouches, sacks, or jackets shall carefully examine them for any damage to the pouches or sacks or discrepancy in the lock numbers, and make sure the pouches or sacks are securely locked. (See secs. 1259 and 1261.)

1241. 2. When a registered jacket or rotary-lock sack or pouch addressed to a railway post office train or transfer clerk is missent or has missed connection, it shall be treated by the postmaster or other postal employees receiving it in accordance with section 1260.

1242. Postal employees shall use registered paper jacket envelopes in the dispatch of five or more, and should use such jackets when practicable in the dispatch of three or more separate registered articles addressed to or intended for distribution by the same post office, registry transfer station, railway post office, terminal railway post office, or transfer clerk, when at least one record and handling of the articles in transit will thereby be saved.

3. When applicable the rules governing rotary-lock pouches and sacks shall be observed in the opening and closing of registered jacket envelopes; in other respects the treatment of the jacket envelopes shall be as prescribed for registered letters and parcels, except as modified herein. (See sec. 1261.)

1243. All domestic registered letters or parcels to go by the same mail to the same office shall, if practicable, be inclosed in the same registered jacket envelope and en

tered on the same manifold bill. Such envelope shall be plainly postmarked twice after it has been sealed so that the postmarks will appear partly upon the upper and partly upon the lower flap. The number of the registered jacket shall be entered in the proper place on the dispatching record.

2. When made up for a railway post office, its name and the train number shall be given in the address on the jacket. Jackets containing "special-delivery" or "air mail" articles shall be marked "special delivery" or "air mail" on the address side. 1244. Separate registered jackets shall be used for international and domestic mail. 2. Registered jackets containing registered matter for United States naval vessels, the Canal Zone, or the Philippine Islands shall be marked "Naval mail," "Canal Zone," or "Philippines," respectively.

1245. Registered jacket envelopes and sealed sacks shall be numbered consecutively, beginning with No. 1 on the 1st day of July of each year and continuing throughout the fiscal year, without regard to the numbers on the articles inclosed in them.

1246. If a registered jacket envelope is dispatched unaddressed or unsealed, except as provided in section 1223, or in bad order, and a depredation is committed which can not be traced to the person committing it, the dispatching postal employee may be held responsible for the loss.

1247. When a misdirected or unaddressed registered jacket, except one containing postage stamps, stamped envelopes, or postal cards, which shall be treated as required by section 1307, is received at a post office or railway post office, it shall be opened and contents verified in the presence of two witnesses, when practicable, who shall certify on the bill and jacket whether the contents were found correct as billed. If it is found that any of the contents can be expedited they shall be distributed and dispatched to destinations, the empty jacket filed, and the coupon of the bill signed and indorsed with the reason for opening and sent to the post office or railway post office by which the jacket was made up, and the irregularity reported to the Third Assistant Postmaster General, Division of Registered Mails. If it is found that none of the mail can be expedited, the entire contents shall be reinclosed in the jacket with the bill. Both jacket and bill shall be indorsed to show why the jacket was opened, whether the contents were found correct, and be signed by the opening employees. The jacket and contents shall then be placed in another jacket properly addressed and indorsed with the name of the original dispatching office or railway post office, and also with the name of the rejacketing office or railway post office, sealed, witnessed, when practicable, and dispatched under the original jacket number. Jackets which upon opening are found to contain mail billed or intended for another office shall be similarly treated.

1248. 3. When a railway postal clerk discovers a registered jacket in a damaged condition while in his possession, he shall indorse such fact on the jacket and accompanying receipt. The damaged jacket shall be indorsed "Reenveloped by (name of railway postal clerk, etc.)," and inclosed in another registered jacket bearing the same number, postmark, office of origin, and address, and the postmark of the railway post office or transfer office jacketing the same. A statement of the facts shall be made in the proper record. If a clerk is not provided with a supply of registered Jackets, he shall make proper indorsement and deliver the jacket to the post office at the terminus of his run or to a connecting line or transfer office to be reenveloped. A damaged jacket too large for inclosure in another jacket shall be delivered to the post office at the terminus of the clerk's run and there be rewrapped and treated as prescribed in this section.

1249. A jacket plainly addressed to a post office in operation shall not be delayed merely because some simple irregularity is noted in connection with it. Registered Jackets, sacks, or pouches in transit or addressed to another post office shall not be

opened, except as provided in the regulations or by special order of the Third Assistant Postmaster General.

1250. When a registered jacket envelope addressed to a railway post-office train misses connection, it shall be treated in the manner prescribed for rotary-lock pouches by section 1260.

1251. When the quantity or bulk of registered mail addressed for delivery in any State or Territory justifies such action, postal employees may dispatch such mail in pouches and sacks closed with rotary locks or in jackets, addressed to a State or Territory by name only, in accordance with the following limitations:

2. State pouches, sacks, and jackets shall not be made up until schemes and instructions have been received from the proper officer of the Railway Mail Service. 3. State pouches, sacks, and jackets shall be prepared and treated in accordance with the general rules and regulations governing registered pouches, sacks, and jackets, and shall be opened and contents distributed by the authorized railway postal clerks or authorized post offices only.

1252. Authority to make up State pouches, sacks, or jackets shall not be construed as permitting the exceptional dispatch of registered mail in iron-lock pouches. 1253. Dispatches addressed to offices may be billed and inclosed in the proper State pouch, sack, or jacket, and one or more State pouches, sacks, or jackets may be billed and inclosed in another State pouch, sack, or jacket addressed to the same State, when at least one record and handling in transit is saved thereby.

1254. When the quantity or bulk of registered mail is not sufficient to justify the use of a sack or pouch, and is too large to inclose in a registered paper jacket envelope, it may be rewrapped in a strong paper wrapper, securely sealed, and a registered paper jacket split open and so pasted thereon, as to expose both front and back. Split paper jackets shall be postmarked twice over the intersections of the wrapper flaps if they are exposed; otherwise the postmarking impression shall be placed twice on the package so as to appear partly on the split paper jacket and partly on the package.

1255. Lead-sealed sacks may be used in authorized cases in lieu of and in accordance with the regulations governing rotary-lock pouches and sacks, and registry jackets, in the dispatch of registered mail whenever the quantity or bulk of such mail justifies. (See secs. 1256 to 1267.)

1256. All postal employees furnished with rotary-lock keys may make and receive dispatches of registered mail in pouches or sacks closed with rotary locks when the quantity or bulk of registered matter involved justifies the use of the equipment and at least one handling in transit of the registered mail inclosed is saved thereby. Rotary-lock pouches or sacks shall be used where the registered mail is of unusual value and its dispatch in a rotary-locked pouch or sack will afford additional protection.

NOTE. All post offices of the first and second classes, all terminal railway post offices, all railway post offices in full postal cars, and in the most important apartment car lines designated by a star (★) in the schedules of the Railway Mail Service, and certain transfer clerks have rotary-lock keys. See Official Postal Guide for list of post offices of the third and fourth classes, branch post offices, and stations that have such keys.

1257. When a rotary-lock pouch or sack is delivered hand-to-hand, receipt therefor shall be taken immediately on the proper record.

2. When hand-to-hand delivery can not be made of a rotary-lock pouch or sack it shall be inclosed in an iron-lock mail bag, labeled to the proper office, and a registry dispatch receipt card or manifold bill describing the pouch or sack by its letter, fixed and rotary lock numbers, inclosed with it.

8. In receipting, each rotary-lock pouch or sack shall be counted as one registered piece in the totals written on registry dispatch receipt card.

1258. Railway postal clerks, including transfer clerks, and postmasters at offices which are terminals of railway post-office runs may reciprocally make hand-to-hand delivery of registered mail in pouches or sacks closed with rotary locks whenever the quantity or bulk of such matter justifies the use of the equipment, in lieu of handto-hand delivery of the matter by individual pieces. (See sec. 1256.) This shall not be construed as authorizing the pouching of such mail under iron locks between railway post offices and terminal post offices.

1259. If a pouch or sack in transit is damaged so as to endanger the contents or if it bears a damaged or defective lock, the receipt given for it shall show such fact, and it shall be sent to, or delivered at, the first office having a rotary-lock key and there opened, the contents repouched, and the bill indorsed "Pouch delivered to this office because of; contents -" (correct or incorrect, as the case may be, any discrepancy being stated). Postal employees shall record the facts in such cases and make a report at once to the Third Assistant Postmaster General. Division of Registered Mails, or to their inspector in charge if the damage involves the mail or indicates a loss. The pouch shall then be forwarded to its destination.

2. If a new pouch or sack or lock must be substituted, the fact shall be stated on the original bill, and the new lock numbers given.

3. Upon the arrival of the damaged pouch or sack at an office having a rotary. lock key, the receiving clerk shall withhold his receipt until the contents have been examined and checked with the bill. When hand-to-hand delivery is made, the delivering postal employee shall be allowed to be present at such examination, and if there be any discrepancy or damage to the contents the receipt shall so state. (See sec. 1266.)

4. When necessary for the protection of the registered matter, or to avoid its being materially delayed, a postmaster or a railway postal clerk may open the seam of a registered pouch or sack which is so damaged as to endanger its contents or has attached a lock which can not be opened. Appropriate note showing the action taken shall be made on the bill received in the pouch and also on the coupon of the bill, which in such case shall be returned to the post office or railway post office which made up the dispatch and note made on the bill to show disposition of the coupon. If any of the registered articles are damaged or missing, report shall be made to the inspector in charge. (See secs. 1260 and 1261.) Pouches and sacks which have been so opened shall be sent, with locks attached, to the mail-equipment shops, Washington, D. C., for repairs. (See secs. 1868 and 1873.)

1260. When a wrongly labeled or missent rotary-lock pouch or sack, the destination of which is not plain, or one that has missed connection, is received in transit, it shall be recorded in the transit record, the hours of arrival and departure and lock numbers being given. If the receiving office has a key and believes the contents can be expedited, the pouch shall be opened in the required manner, and the bill indorsed "Pouch delivered to this office because ." (giving the reason). The articles

shall be checked and any necessary notations made. (See sec. 1261.)

2. If any of the contents can be expedited, they shall be distributed and dispatched to their destinations and the coupon of the bill signed, indorsed with reason for opening, and sent to the office making up the pouch; otherwise the changed lock number shall be written on the bill, dispatching requirements complied with fully, and after a copy has been made of the bill received in the pouch, the pouch and its contents shall be dispatched to their destination. If any of the contents are missing,

« PreviousContinue »