Page images
PDF
EPUB

order business are employed in the transacting of international money-order business. More care must be exercised by the applicant in filling out the application blank and also in regard to the payment of such orders because of the increased liability to error arising from the inability, in many instances, of the persons presenting such orders to speak the English language. International money orders may be sent only to such countries with which the Postmaster General has concluded postal treaties. Moneyorder conventions have been made with most foreign countries. Some do not transact money-order business as part of their postal system; with others negotiations are in progress. When conventions are concluded, due notice of the details thereof are given to postmasters at offices authorized to issue international money orders, either through the Postal Guide or by circular. At present money orders are exchanged direct between the United States and fortyeight foreign countries. Through indirect exchange the United States reaches many other countries and places. International money orders are issued in the following manner; upon application for a money order a blank as shown on page 168 is furnished to the applicant.

On page 169 is shown the back of the application blank, which gives full instructions for the guidance of the sender.

[blocks in formation]

(Space above this line is for the Postmaster's record, to be filled in by him.)

Application for International Money Order Payable in

(Postmaster will write "Great Britain" or "Italy," etc., as case may be.)
(Spaces below to be filled in by the applicant, or by some person for him.)

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Fees Charged for Issuing International Orders

IN EFFECT AUGUST 1, 1902

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Observe that for Orders payable in Canada, Cuba, Newfoundland and the Philippines only the Domestic rate is to be charged, and the Domestic forms are to be used.

Take notice that the maximum amount for which a Money Order may be drawn payable in the United Kingdom, Bermuda, Jamaica, Cape Colony or British Guiana, .$50.00.

is........

There is no limitation to the number of International Orders that may be issued, in one day, to a Remitter, in favor of the same Payee.

INSTRUCTIONS

In the application the given name of the Remitter and Payee, or initials thereof, should precede their surnames respectively. If the Payee has only one given name, it should be written in full, if known to the Remitter. For example, the name John Jones should be so written, and not as J. Jones. The given name or names of a married woman should be stated, and not those of her husband. For example, Mrs. Mary J. Brown should not be described as Mrs. William H. Brown, unless her own given names or the initials thereof are unknown to the Remitter. Observance of these rules will tend to prevent mistakes and delay in payment.

Names of persons, places and streets, as well as numbers and amounts, should be written in full and in the plainest manner possible.

The Postmaster must refuse to issue an International Order payable to any person, if the surname and the initial letters of that person's given names are not furnished by the applicant, unless the Payee be a peer or a bishop, in which case his ordinary title is sufficient. If the Payee be a firm, the usual commercial designation of such firm will suffice, such as "Baring Bros.," "Smith & Son," Jones & Co."

66

If the applicant for an Order is unable to write English legibly, the name and address of the Payee may be written in his own language, and in his own handwriting, upon a separate slip of paper, which slip the Postmaster should attach to the advice. The Exchange Offices are provided with facilities for the translation of languages of all countries with which the United States exchanges Orders, and the issuing Postmaster, whenever in doubt as to the meaning of the particulars of the application, should always send with the Advice, a similar slip, in the handwriting of the Remitter, or written by another person, at his request, or under his direction, giving the particulars in question. For this purpose a special form (No. 6083) is provided by the Department.

From the written application the postmaster makes out the money order which is given to the purchaser. The purchaser incloses the money order in an envelope and mails it to the person for whom the money is intended.

While at present there are 72,352 post offices in the United States, 31,387 are money-order offices; that is, 31,387 of the post offices in the United States issue and pay money orders. Consequently, it is impossible to send money, by means of a money order, to the interior and less inhabited sections of the United States. If one wishes to send money to a district without the money order service, the registry system of the post office offers a safe, quick, and economical means of transmission. The registry system is coextensive with the post office itself.

THE REGISTRY SYSTEM

For the greater security in sending valuables through the mails the registry system was established by Act of Congress, March 3, 1855.

The advantages of registering mail matter are:

1. Its increased security, delivery being practically guaranteed.

2. The returning of a written acknowledgment of its receipt by the addressee.

3. Insurance to the amount of $25 on firstclass matter.

All classes of mailable matter may be registered. To entitle second, third, and fourth class matter to the indemnity of $25, it must be sent as first-class matter.

How to register Letters and Parcels. The letter or parcel to be registered must be properly addressed and must have somewhere on the outside the name and address of the sender.

Mail matter for registry must bear the required postage in addition to eight cents in stamps, eight cents being the registration fee. The letter or parcel is then given to the registration clerk, who will give a receipt for it. This receipt is kept by the sender. Below is an illustration of the kind of receipt given.

[blocks in formation]

The letter or parcel is then forwarded by the post office, but before it is given to the person for whom it is intended, he must sign a receipt for it, similar to the illustration on page 172.

« PreviousContinue »