higher mail pay rates by analyzing the carriers' mail handling operations from the point of view of existence, necessity, and appropriate application and utilization of manpower, facilities, methods and procedures. Participates as necessary in such pay rate cases before interstate Commerce Commission Hearing Examiners.

(7) Marketing Division. (i) Directs regional programs of promoting public cooperation in accepting new and improved mailing practices designed to reduce costs, improve mail handling, and furnish better service.

(ii) Guides and coordinates the regional customer relations activities.

(iii) Maintains contact with postmasters and other field units to assure effective implementation of the customer relations and public cooperation programs.

(iv) Contacts large mailers, organizations and associations to promote interest in and acceptance of these programs; participates in meetings and conventions, upon invitation, to explain and promote the customer cooperation 'program.

(v) Investigates and recommends action on mail services complaints.

(vi) Provides customer assistance in use of ZIP Code, presorting mail, NIMS, and similar efforts.

(vii) Assures that services provided the public by postmasters are in keeping with effective customer relations practices and Departmental policy.

(viii) Cooperates with and participates in Departmental programs to research and analyze current usage of postal services and the types of services needed by the users.

(ix) Administers a regional program of service analysis through selective tests to determine overall quality of service; recommends areas for improvement.

§ 824.1

Postal Data Center Director. (a) Administers the execution of policies, regulations, and procedures governing and takes action within his delegated authority on matters relating to management and operation of the postal data center.

(b) Is responsible for the efficient management, use, and control of manpower, allotted funds, facilities, and equipment within the authority delegated funds, facilities, and equipment within the authority delegated to PDC.

(c) Directs activities and exercises overall supervision of employees of the postal data center to ensure that effective performance of the activities of the postal data center is established and maintained.

(d) Maintains continuous surveillance over services provided regional offices, postal installations and other customers to ensure that effective services are provided and customer relations maintained.

(e) Adjudicates and settles personal or property damage claims in amounts of less than $100. Adjusts and settles postmasters' claims for losses due to fire, theft, burglary or other unavoidable casualties.

[31 F.R. 9674, July 16, 1966]

§ 824.2 Disbursing Office.

Responsible for the control, signing, and disbursement of U.S. Treasury checks for all payments made by the data center. Receives and accounts for fund remittances and collections. Verifies deposits and acts as special agent for the Director, PDC for payroll savings bonds. Serves as liaison with regional distributing post offices on matters pertaining to accountable paper. Controls all other negotiable paper. [33 F.R. 10008, July 12, 1968] § 824.3

Administrative Office.

Provides staff assistance to the Director, Postal Data Center, relating to administrative and service functions for the postal data center.

[31 F.R. 9674, July 16, 1966. Redesignated at 33 F.R. 10008, July 12, 1968]

Tolls and maintains controls over payroll deductions and receivables; prepares and certifies for payment all disbursements for which the postal data center is responsible, including but not limited to transportation claims, contract stations, torts and indemnity claims, uniform allowances, rents and leases, travel, etc. Audits financial accounts of all postmasters served by the postal data center to assure compliance with laws, regulations and Comptroller General decisions. Maintains technical liaison with postal installations being serviced by the postal data center. When technical liaison involves responsibilities of the regional controller division, new policy items of a controversial nature will be cleared through them.

(2) Maintains general ledger for the several regions being served and establishes controls for the data operations division, and reviews and approves all reports prior to release to consumers.

(3) Processes input data from new applications for data processing, such as transportation schemes and routing, inspection service workload data, procurement and supply transaction data, volume and performance data.

(4) Signs and issues U.S. Treasury checks for all payments made by the center. Issues and accounts for all U.S. savings bonds in connection with payroll savings plan. Receives and accounts for all funds received by the PDC.

(5) Acts as liaison with regional distributing post offices on accountable paper matters.

(6) Establishes and maintains accounting records for control of international money order services; provides information and reports to meet international money order service requirements (New York, Dallas, San Francisco).

(b) Data Services Branch. (1) Processes all documented input data for data systems not handled by other branches of the division. Generally, data are of an operational nature as opposed to a financial nature.

(2) Maintains liaison with regional offices and post offices in collaboration with the systems branch in the development and implementation of new programs as prescribed or authorized by the Department.

(3) Reviews and approves data services branch reports produced by data operations division before they are released to the consumer.

(4) Prepares special reports.

(1)

(c) Postal Accounts Branch. Maintains general and subsidiary ledgers covering revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities.

(2) Provides regional controllers with current statements of financial, operating and statistical data.

(3) Examines postmasters' statements of account to assure conformity with postal laws, policies, and regulations and Comptroller General decisions.

(4) Establishes and maintains accounting records for property control; interprets and monitors application of property accounting instructions; provides information and reports to meet property management requirements.

(5) Designates and revokes post offices as U.S. savings bond issuing agents and U.S. savings stamp offices; establishes and discontinues international money order business at post offices, after coordinating with applicable postal operations division.

(6) Maintains a system of cost accounts and prepares cost and statistical reports on motor vehicle operations.

(7) Reviews and approves postal accounts branch reports produced by data operations division before they are released to the consumer.

(8) Reviews the accounts receivable program to determine that instructions are being followed in collection attempts and recommends to the Director, Postal Data Center, that uncollectible debts be declared "uncollectible."

(d) Accounts Payable Branch. (1) Examines and settles claims for payment of items such as indemnity, unpaid compensation for deceased postmasters or other employees and adjudicates physical losses of small tort claims.

(2) Examines and settles claims for payment to railroads, airlines, contractors of vehicles, star route contractors, mail messengers and contractors at stations and branches.

(3) Examines and settles accounts for rents, leases, utilities, communication, supplies and equipment and travel vouchers for postal employees.

(4) Serves as authorized certifying

officer.

(5) Reviews and approves accounts payable branch reports produced by data operations division before they are released to the consumer.

(e) Personnel and Performance Branch. (1) Maintains personnel pay records.

(2) Verifies payments for personal services and related expenses.

(3) Maintains individual and consolidated personnel pay and accounting control records for travel costs, vehicle allowance, retirement, tax, bond deductions, service leave, and performance reports and records.

(4) Certifies as proper for payment all payrolls for the regions served.

(5) Establishes and maintains retirement accounts for all personnel in the regions served and answers inquiries; processes applications for service credits; and certifies records to the Civil Service Commission in separation cases.

(6) Processes input data related to work performance applications as well as personnel data applications.

(7) Reviews and approves personnel and performance branch reports produced by data operations division before they are released to the consumer.

[31 F.R. 9674, July 16, 1966. Redesignated at 33 F.R. 10008, July 12, 1968; 33 F.R. 12908, Sept. 12, 1968]

§ 824.5 Systems and planning.

(a) Systems and Planning Division. Under technical guidance received from the Bureau of Finance and Administration directs the development, coordination and implementation of national integrated systems, plans and production schedules for the postal data center and participates in and performs data systems studies; keeps the Director, Postal Data Center informed of production against schedules and system activities of the division. Systems and planning division director acts for the Director, Postal Data Center in his absences.

(b) Systems Branch. (1) Develops and coordinates systems and procedures for internal operations of the postal data center.

(2) Participates in and performs data systems studies.

(3) Develops and provides detail specifications and analysis of problems and system components for preparation and programing data onto the computer.

(4) Prepares machines flow procedures and programs for processing data onto the computer.

(5) Maintains a system and programing surveillances over the effectiveness of the system processes of the PDC and recommends improvements.

(6) Provides consulting services to customers on source collection and preparation of data for movement to the postal data center.

(7) Maintains liaison with industry, educational institutions and other government agencies to keep the postal data center abreast with advancing management sciences in the integration of systems, techniques and equipment for collecting, verifying and processing business data.

(8) Prepares replies to employee suggestions pertaining to the work of the postal data center where such suggestions have originated in regions or installations served by the postal data center. Refers suggestions worthy of adoption to Bureau of Finance and Administration with detailed recommendations as to how suggestions may be implemented.

(c) Production Scheduling Branch. (1) Develops, coordinates and administers production schedules for the PDC.

(2) Develops and coordinates systems and production plans for new data activities to be performed by the postal data center.

(3) Develops and coordinates schedules for new system applications at PDC. [31 F.R. 9674, July 16, 1966. Redesignated at 33 F.R. 10008, July 12, 1968] § 824.6

Data operations.

(a) Data Operations Division. Operates the postal data center's automatic data processing facility and its associated equipment.

(b) Data Preparation Branch. (1) Maintains custody of magnetic tape reels, computer program documentation and input/output punch cards.

(2) Performs all key punch operations. (c) Computer Operations Branch. (1) When authorized, operates punched paper tape and communications terminal equipment.

(2) Operates electronic and electromechanical data processing equipment. [31 F.R. 9674, July 16, 1966. Redesignated at 33 F.R. 10008, July 12, 1968]

PART 831-POSTAL LOSSES AND
OFFENSES

§ 831.9 Arrest and subpena powers of Postal Inspectors.

(a) Authorization. Postal Inspectors are authorized to perform the following functions in connection with any matter within their respective official duties as established by the Chief Postal Inspector.

(1) Serve warrants and subpenas issued under the authority of the United States;

(2) Make arrests without warrant for offenses against the United States committed in their presence; and

(3) Make arrests without warrant for felonies cognizable under the laws of the United States if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing such a felony.

(b) Limitations. The powers granted by paragraph (a) of this section shall be exercised only in the enforcement of laws regarding property of the United States in the custody of the postal service, the use of the mails, and other postal offenses.

(5 U.S.C. 301, 18 U.S.C. 3061, 39 U.S.C. 501) [33 F.R. 16109, Nov. 2, 1968]

PART 832-REWARDS

§ 832.1 Postal offenses covered.

Rewards will be paid in the amounts and under the conditions mentioned in Sign 32, Notice of Reward, for the arrest and conviction of persons accused of the following postal offenses:

(a) Robbery or attempted robbery.
(b) Mailing bombs or poison.
(c) Post office burglary.

(d) Stealing or unlawful possession of mail or money or other property of the United States.

NOTE: The text of Sign 32, referred to above, reads as follows:

Subject to the availability of funds, the Post Office Department pays a reward for the arrest and conviction of any person for the following offenses:

ROBBERY

1. Not to exceed $3,000 for robbery or attempted robbery of any custodian of any mail, or money or other property of the United States under the control and juris

diction of the Post Office Department, if such custodian is wounded or his life jeopardized with a dangerous weapon; but not to exceed $1,500 if the custodian is not wounded, or his life jeopardized with a dangerous weapon. MAILING OF BOMBS OR POISON

2. Not to exceed $3,000 for mailing or causing to be mailed any poison, bomb, device, or composition, with the intent to kill or harm another, or injure the mails or other property.

3. Not to exceed $300 for mailing or causing to be mailed any poison, bomb, device, or composition which may kill or harm another, or injure the mails or other property.

BURGLARY OF POST OFFICE

4. Not to exceed $300 for breaking into or attempting to break into a post office, station, branch, or building used wholly or partially as a post office with intent to commit a larceny or other depredation in that part used as a post office.

THEFT OF MAIL

5. Not to exceed $300 for the theft of any mail, the contents thereof, or money or any other property of the United States under the custody and control of the Post Office Department, from any custodian, postal vehicle, railroad depot, airport, or other transfer point, post office or station or receptacle or depository established, approved, or designated by the Postmaster General for the receipt of mail.

EMBEZZLEMENT OF MAIL

6. Not to exceed $300 for embezzlement of mail or the contents thereof by a mail carrier on a mail messenger or star route.

OFFENSES INVOLVING MONEY ORDERS

7. Not to exceed $300 for the altering, forging, uttering or passing of blank money order forms stolen from a post office, station, branch or postal custody.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

8. The Post Office Department also pays rewards as stated above for the arrest and conviction of any person:

(a) as an accessory to any of the above crimes;

(b) for receiving or having unlawful possession of any mail, money or property secured through the above crimes;

(c) for conspiracy to commit any of the above crimes.

9. When a person has been adjudged a juvenile delinquent for having committed any of the above crimes the same reward may be paid as though such person had been convicted of such crime.

10. The term "custodian" as used herein includes any person having lawful charge,

control, or custody of any mail matter, or any money or other property of the United States under the control and jurisdiction of the Post Office Department.

11. A reward may be paid for the conviction of a person for an offense listed above, even though arrested for committing another offense.

12. When an offender is killed while committing a crime listed above or in resisting lawful arrest, the same reward may be paid as though he had been convicted.

13. The amount of the reward to be paid will be based on the importance of services rendered, character of the offender, risks and hazards involved, time spent, and expenses incurred. Maximum rewards will be paid only when services were of the maximum value.

14. The Department will reject a claim where there has been collusion, or improper methods have been used to effect an arrest or to secure a conviction. It has the right to allow only one reward where several persons were convicted of the same offense, or one person was convicted of several offenses.

15. A written claim must be submitted to the Postal Inspector in Charge of the division in which the crime was committed within 6 months from the date of conviction of an offender or the date of his death, if killed in committing a crime or resisting arrest. Applications for the filing of claims may be obtained from the Inspector in Charge.

(5 U.S.C. 301, 39 U.S.C. 501) [34 F.R. 6101, Apr. 4, 1969]

(a) There are numerous statutes administered by the Post Office Department which contain specific provisions authorizing or directing the Postmaster General to issue rules and regulations to implement such statutes. Other statutes, by inference, vest the Postmaster General with authority to issue such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the proper administration of such statutes. Such rules and regulations have the force and effect of law.

(b) The provisions of the Federal Register Act (49 Stat. 500; 44 U. S. C., ch. 8B), and of the regulations issued thereunder (1 CFR Chapter I) governing the issuance of rules and regulations are observed. Rules and regulations of the Post Office Department are drafted by the General Counsel with the assistance of his staff. Such rules and regulations are based upon legislation and upon changes suggested by the various officers of the Post Office Department. The rules and regulations are submitted to the Postmaster General, and upon being approved, are filed with the Federal Register Division of The National

Archives for publication in the FEDERAL REGISTER. Rules dealing with organization and delegation of authority, substantive rules, and rules of procedure will be separately stated pursuant to the requirements of section 3 (a) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U. S. C. 1002).

(c) There is no requirement in the laws administered by the Post Office Department for the giving of notice of, or for the hearing on, proposed rules or regulations. The provisions of section 4 of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S. C. 1003) will be complied with in the promulgation of substantive rules which do not come within the exceptions set forth in the said section.

(d) Petitions by interested persons for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of a rule or regulation of the Post Office Department may be submitted to the General Counsel, Post Office Department, Washington 25, D.C. Such petitions will be considered by the General Counsel and by the officers of the Post Office Department. The petitioner will be notified of any denial of such petition, and, where considered appropriate, of any other action taken in connection therewith.

(R.S. 161, as amended; 5 U.S.C. 301, 39 U.S.C. 309, 501) [26 F.R. 11666, Dec. 6, 1961. Redesignated at 33 F.R. 6291, April 25, 1968]