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Sec. 998. Notice Money-Order Post-Offices Discontinued.-On receipt by postmasters of each number of the Postal Guide they are directed to read carefully the list of money-order offices discontinued, which is placed at the top of the list of money-order post-offices.

Sec. 999. Postmasters to Instruct Applicants on what Post-Office to Draw.— It is expected of postmasters that they will exercise their judgment with respect to the selection of the post office upon which a money-order may be drawn, as the applicant, from lack of information, is liable to mistakes as to locality which may be productive of inconvenience to the payee. Therefore, when occasion requires, postmasters will endeavor to ascertain which is the money-order post-office most conveniently situated for the purpose of the remitter, and to advise him that the money-order be drawn thereon.

Sec. 1000. Money-Orders to be Recorded when Issued.-Upon the issue of a money-order, the postmaster will record all the particulars thereof in the "register of money-orders issued," as directed by the headings; and if any subsequent action should be taken in reference thereto (such, for instance, as repayment, the issue of a duplicate, etc.), he will note the alteration opposite the entry in the register under the head of "Remarks."

Sec. 1001. Report $300 Drawn upon other than First-Class Post-Offices.When the aggregate amount of money-orders issued by any money-order post-office in one day, upon a post-office of other than the first class, equals or exceeds $300, the issuing postmaster will be required to send by the first mail a special notice of the fact, stating the amount drawn for, to the Superintendent of the Money-Order System. (See Form No. 6037.) Postmasters are required to pay strict attention to this rule, as a neglect of the duty it enjoins may result in delay of payment, and consequent inconvenience to the payee.

Sec. 1002. Advices to be Checked to Insure Correctness.-Postmasters are strictly enjoined to check their advices carefully before dispatching them, so as to be sure that they are correctly addressed.

Sec. 1003. Reissue of Money-Orders. New Fee Required.-After a moneyorder has been issued, if the purchaser desires to have it modified or changed, the postmaster who issued the order shall take it back and issue another in lieu of it, for which a new fee shall be exacted. (R. S., § 4038.)

Sec. 1004. Rules for Reissuing Money-Orders.—When the remitter of a money-order desires to change the place of payment of the same, or when a mistake has been made in drawing a money-order through error of the remitter, the issuing postmaster is authorized, with the above restrictions, to take back the first money-order, which he will repay, and issue another in lieu thereof, for which a second fee must be charged and exacted as on a new transaction, in accordance with the preceding section. If the advice has gone forward to the post-office upon which the original money-order was drawn, he will, by the first mail, dispatch a special notice, informing the postmaster at that post-office of the repayment of said money-order. The special advice is not to be used instead of the proper accompanying advice of the new money-order, but is additional to it. Under no circumstances must a postmaster issue a new moneyorder in lieu of another until the original money-order shall have been returned to him. Should the mistake be made by the postmaster he will be held responsible therefor, and must charge himself with the fee for issuing the new money-order. If the original advice has not been mailed to the paying post-office, the money-order should be treated by the postmaster as "spoiled" or not "issued," in accordance with section 991 of these regulations.

Sec. 1005. Issue of Duplicate Money-Orders.-Whenever a money-order has been lost, the Postmaster-General, upon the application of the remitter or payee of such order, may cause a duplicate thereof to be

issued, without charge, providing the party losing the original shall furnish a certificate from the postmaster by whom it was payable that it has not been, and will not thereafter be, paid; and a similar certificate from the postmaster by whom it was issued that it has not been, and will not thereafter be, repaid. (R. S., § 4040.)

Sec. 1008. Duplicate Money-Orders Issued only by the Superintendent.In case a money-order is lost in transmission, or otherwise, a duplicate will be issued by the Superintendent of the Money-Order System, on the receipt of an application therefor from either the remitter, the payee, or the indorsee of the original. Such application should be made on Form No. 6002, and should be forwarded to the Department by the issuing or the paying postmaster. The duplicate can be made payable only to the payee, or, in case of indorsement, to the indorsee of the original, unless the written consent of the payee or indorsee to the repayment of the money-order, by duplicate, to the remitter, shall have been obtained by the latter, and duly filed in the Department. Such written consent must bear a certificate as to its genuineness from the postmaster at the place where the payee resides. It is the duty of the issuing and of the paying postmaster to aid the remitter, as far as they may be able, in obtaining the consent required by this section. If the payee is dead, the remitter must obtain the written consent of his legal representative, who should be required to exhibit to the postmaster, who certifies to such consent, the proper documentary evidence of his authority to act in that capacity. If the owner of the money-order (whether the payee or indorsee), or his legal representative, cannot, after the lapse of a reasonable time, be found, the remitter should forward to the Department satisfactory evidence of that fact, if he desires repayment. A blank bond of indemnity, in a penal sum of double the amount of the lost money-order, will then be sent him, to be executed by himself and two sureties, and returned to the Department; the condition of such bond being that if, after the issue and payment of a duplicate money-order to the remitter, any other person establishes a valid adverse claim to the original money-order, the amount so paid by duplicate shall be refunded to the Post-Office Department. Upon full compliance with the above requirements, the remitter thus situated will receive a duplicate of the lost money-order.

Sec. 1007. Duty of Postmaster Applying for Duplicate Money-Order.— When a postmaster has been informed by the remitter, payee, or indorsee of a moneyorder that the same has been lost or destroyed, he will cause the said remitter, payee, or indorsee to sign a statement, setting forth the loss or destruction thereof, and containing a request for the issue of a duplicate. If the applicant is the indorsee of the original, his application must be accompanied by a certificate to that effect from the payee, the genuineness of which must be attested by the postmaster at the latter's place of residence. The postmaster before whom the application is made will complete the application by enumerating the particulars of the lost money-order, and by stating to whom the duplicate is to be made payable, whether to the payee or to the indorsee, and also the full address of such person. He will thereupon execute the proper certificate relative to the payment or repayment of the original money-order, and dispatch the form to the issuing or to the paying postmaster, as the case may be, for his certificate. The latter should be requested to forward the paper, when completed, to the Superintendent of the Money-Order System.

Sec. 1008. Second Advice Furnished when Needed to get Duplicate.-In case both the money-order and advice are lost, the issuing postmaster will, upon receiving notice of the loss of the latter from the paying postmaster, forward to him a "second advice," embracing all the particulars of the missing advice, so that application may be made through the paying postmaster, and he may be enabled to give his certificate in the manner above described.

Sec. 1009. Original Money-Order may be Paid before Duplicate is Issued.Should the original money-order alleged to be lost come into the possession of the re

mitter, payee, or indorsee thereof, and should the postmaster to whom the money-order is presented notify the Department of the fact before a duplicate is issued, special permission will be given him to pay or repay, as the case may be, such original moneyorder. But if sufficient time has elapsed for the issue of a duplicate, the postmaster to whom the money-order is presented will write across it the words, CANCELED-DUPLICATE APPLIED FOR. If the person who presents it requires the postmaster to return it to him, he may do so; but, if not, the money-order should be sent to the Department. Sec. 1010. Duty of Postmaster Certifying Non-payment of Money-Order.When a postmaster signs a certificate that a money-order drawn upon his post-office has not been and will not be paid, he should at once note the same by writing, in red ink, across the face of the advice and under the entry thereof in the register of advices received, the words DUPLICATE APPLIED FOR-ORIGINAL MONEY-ORDER NOT TO BE PAID; and in the case of a money-order issued at his post-office, when he has certified that the original money-order has not been and will not be repaid, he will write under the entry of the said money-order, in the register of money-orders issued, the words DUPLICATE APPLIED FOR-ORIGINAL MONEY-ORDER NOT TO BE REPAID. Neglect of this rule may involve a postmaster in serious trouble, as he will be held strictly accountable should the original money-order be afterward paid or repaid at his post-office.

Sec. 1011. Postmasters cannot issue Duplicates.-Duplicate money-orders will be issued only by the Department. Under no circumstances whatever will a post

master be allowed to issue them.

Sec. 1012. On what Post-Offices Duplicates can be Drawn.-A duplicate money-order can only be drawn upon the issuing or on the paying post-office of the original money-order, and becomes invalid if it bear more than one indorsement or is not presented for payment within one year after its date.

Sec.

CHAPTER THREE.

PAYMENT OF DOMESTIC MONEY-ORDERS.

1013. Money-order valid only one year from date. 1014. Only one indorsement allowed on money.

order.

1015. Postmasters must have payees identified. 1016. Money-orders must not be paid until advice is received.

1017. Advices examined and filed as received. 1018. Advices must be kept secret.

1019. Missent advices to be remailed.

1020. Second advice to be entered when received. 1021. Precautions to be taken before paying money. orders.

1022. Money-orders not properly issued to be re fused payment.

1023. Inquiry for missing advice.

1024. Duty of postmaster when money-order does not agree with advice.

1025. Postmasters must provide against delays in paying money-orders.

1026. Paid money-orders to be stamped and recorded.

1027. Payment by duplicate to be noted.

1028. Payment upon power of attorney or to legal representative.

Sec.

1029. Money-orders must be correctly receipted and stamped.

1030. Payment of money-order on day of issue. 1031. Department not responsible after payment of money-order.

1032. How money-orders more than a year old may be paid.

1033. Advices to be examined for money-orders

over a year old.

1034. Payment of amounts of money-orders ille

gally indorsed.

1035. Repayment of money-order to applicant. 1036. Rules for repaying money-orders.

1037. Repaid money-orders to be so stamped. 1038. Repaid money-orders to be signed by whom. 1039. Repayment by duplicate.

1040. Special notice of repayment, how entered.
1041. Postmasters to pay only money-orders drawn
on their post-offices.

1042. Notice to be sent to payee of duplicate.
1043. Postmaster-General may stop payment of
money-orders, when.

1044. When postmasters should withhold payment
of money-orders.

Sec. 1013. Money-Orders Valid only for One Year from Date.-No moneyorder shall be valid and payable unless presented to the postmaster on

whom it is drawn within one year after its date; but the PostmasterGeneral, on the application of the remitter or payee of any such order, may cause a new order to be issued in lieu thereof. (R. S., § 4036.)

Sec. 1014. Only One Indorsement Allowed on Money-Orders.-The payee of a money-order may, by his written indorsement thereon, direct it to [be] paid to any other person, and the postmaster on whom it is drawn shall pay the same to the person thus designated, provided he shall furnish such proof as the Postmaster-General may prescribe that the indorsement is genuine, and that he is the person empowered to receive payment; but more than one indorsement shall render an order invalid and not payable, and the holder, to obtain payment, must apply in writ ing to the Postmaster-General for a new order in lieu thereof, returning the original order, and making such proof of the genuineness of the indorsements as the Postmaster-General may require. (R. S., § 4037.)

Sec. 1015. Postmasters must have Payees Identified.-When a moneyorder is presented for payment at the post-office upon which it is drawn, the postmaster or authorized clerk will use all proper means to assure himself that the applicant is the person named and intended in the advice, or is the indorsee or attorney of the latter; and upon payment of the money-order care must be taken to obtain the signature of the payee, or of the person authorized by him to receive payment, to the receipt on the face of the money-order. The signature to the receipt upon the face of the money-order must be that of the person who presents and receives payment of the

same.

Sec. 1016. Money-Orders must not be Paid until Advice is Received. No money-order must be paid until the corresponding letter of advice has been received. Sec. 1017. Advices Examined and Filed as Received.-As soon as practicable after the close of each day's business, all advices received during the day must be arranged and filed in alphabetical order according to the name of the issuing post-office, so that, whenever needed, they may be referred to without difficulty. They must be retained on file for a term of four years, at the expiration of which time they are to be disposed of as "waste paper" of the post-office. The postmaster is required to examine each advice when received, to see that it is properly stamped and in all respects regular, and at the same time, if found to be drawn upon his post-office, to enter the particulars thereof in the register of advices received. To avoid errors and to facilitate payment, the "paid” and “unpaid” advices should be kept in separate packages.

Sec. 1018. Advices must be Kept Secret.-Every care should be taken to guard against the loss of these important documents; and with this view, and to prevent their disarrangement, they should be kept under lock and key. Postmasters, assistant postmasters, and money-order clerks are forbidden to reveal to any person the information communicated to them by the advices in their possession of moneyorders drawn upon their respective post-offices. Should they do so, in any case, without special permission from the Department, such action will be regarded by the Postmaster-General as sufficient cause for removal.

Sec. 1019. Missent Advices to be Remailed.-In the event of an advice being received of a money-order which is not drawn upon his post-office, the postmaster must transmit it by the first mail to its proper destination, previously noting on the document the circumstance of its having been missent. A strict compliance with this regulation is of the utmost importance to prevent delay in payment.

Sec. 1020. Second Advice to be Entered when Received.-Should a second advice be received, correcting the number, name, or amount of the original, the entry in the register should be altered accordingly, and the second advice be attached to the original, and placed on file.

Sec. 1021. Precautions to be Taken before Paying Money-Orders.-When a money-order is presented for payment, the postmaster will first examine the document to see that it is properly signed, stamped, etc.; he will then compare the date, number, and amount with the advice or with the record thereof in the register of advices received, and satisfy himself that the applicant is the person entitled to payment. Every person who applies for payment of a money-order should be required by the postmaster to prove his identity, unless the applicant is known to be the rightful owner of the money-order. Special caution should be exercised in the payment of money-orders issued in favor of women or of soldiers or sailors. In the event of a money-order having been paid to the wrong person through lack of necessary precaution on the part of the postmaster, he will be held accountable for such payment. Whoever identifies the payee of a money-order should be required, before payment is made, to write his name and residence on the back of the corresponding advice, under a statement that he knows the applicant for payment to be the person he represents himself to be. Care should be taken that the signature of the payee be as full as the name given in the advice, and that it be in no way inconsistent therewith. If the payee be unable to write, he must sign the receipt by making his mark, to be witnessed in writing. The witness should sign his name, with his address, in the presence of the postmaster, and the latter will then certify the payment by adding his own initials. The witness should be known to the postmaster, but it is desirable (though not imperative) that he be not connected with the post-office. In no case should the postmaster act as witness himself. It is not absolutely necessary that the witness should be personally acquainted with the payee. When the payee of a money-order is a bank, railway company, insurance company, municipality, college, newspaper, society, or corporation of any kind, the president, cashier, manager, secretary, treasurer, agent, or the person who has authority to receive payment of moneys due such bank, railway company, &c., must be required to sign the receipt on the money-order in his official capacity, and the paying postmaster may exact satisfactory proof that the applicant for payment is duly authorized to sign and to receive payment of the money-order.

Sec. 1022. Money-Orders not Properly Issued to be Refused Payment.-Should the stamp of the issuing postmaster and the written date be wanting upon a money-order, the postmaster at the post-office upon which it is drawn must decline payment, but a money-order may be paid notwithstanding the absence of the stamp of the issuing postoffice, provided the money-order is not defective in any other respect. Money-orders from which the stamp of either post-office has been omitted will be rejected as vouchers by the Department, and will be returned to the postmaster at fault, in order that the omission may be supplied.

Sec. 1023. Inquiry for Missing Advice. When a money-order is presented for which no advice has been received, one of the printed letters of inquiry for missing advices (Form No. 6006) must at once be dispatched to the postmaster who issued the order. Under no circumstances whatever can an order be paid until the corresponding advice shall have been received.

Sec. 1024. Duty of Postmaster when Money-Orders do not Agree with Advice.When a money-order is presented which does not agree with the advice, payment must be refused until a second advice can be obtained, unless the difference be evidently accidental and trifling, in which case the postmaster may, if he chooses, pay the money-order; but he will be held responsible if the payment should prove to be incorrect. Every case of difference, however small, between a money-order and an advice should be reported in forwarding the money-order at the end of the week. If the discrepancy is considerable and is not corrected by a second advice, the holder of the money-order should be directed to return it to the remitter, so that the latter may present it to the issuing postmaster for repayment and the issue of a new money-order in lieu thereof. If the latter postmaster is responsible for the error, he must charge himself with the fee for the new money order. In case, however, the amount stated in the advice is less than that in the money

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