chutes and receiving boxes must be approved by the postmaster and he must be furnished the contract and specifications for any proposed chute and box. The postmaster has authority to approve, upon formal application, the installation of mailing chutes and receiving boxes conforming to these regulations. Collection will not be made from any chute box until approved by the postmaster, and no unapproved chute shall bear any sign indicating that it is under the protection of the United States Postal Service.

(2) The specifications must provide for a complete installation ready for collection service, with a tentative plan of the building showing the contemplated location of the whole of such chute and of the receiving box.

(3) If the postmaster approves the contract and specifications, he will endorse his approval upon the contract and return it to the applicant. In questionable cases, he will refer the file with full details to the Regional Director for review.

(c) Specification for construction of chutes-(1) Size. The chute must be approximately 2 by 8 inches in size and must extend in a continuously vertical line from the point of beginning to the receiving box.

(2) Material. (i) Every mailing chute must be made entirely of metal and glass. The metal parts of the chute must be of such form, weight, and character as to insure rigidity, safety, and durability. Panel moldings must be of metal of suitable strength and resilience to insure a constant grip on the glass. At least three-fourths of the front of the chute in each story must be of heavy sheet or plate glass not less than threesixteenths of an inch in thickness. All joints in the chute must be tight so that mail matter cannot catch or lodge therein.

(ii) Chutes must be securely mounted on steel angles, or other material approved by the Regional Director. The mounting must be plumb and flush the entire length of the chute. The chute must be so constructed that floor sections can be easily removed from floor thimbles.

(3) Mail slots. (i) The chute must be provided with openings (mail slots) on each floor for deposit of mail. Each opening must be 434 by 1⁄2 inches, with a second inside opening of the same size 21⁄2 inches below the first, with serrate

edges or other suitable device designed to prevent clogging. The legend U.S. Mail must be plainly inscribed on chutes at every mail opening.

(ii) At each slot opening, there must be attached a suitable dustproof glazed frame for printed cards, 434 by 9 inches, giving information as to the use of mail chutes, stating that the hours of collection are posted on the receiving box, and calling attention to the penalties for tampering with mail equipment.

(4) Locking devices. The chute must be provided with a suitable locking device and keys by means of which it may be conveniently opened and closed by postal authorities but not by other persons. The lock must be so constructed that the key cannot be removed until the chute is properly locked.

(5) Location and arrangement. (i) The chute must be so placed as to be conveniently accessible throughout the entire length. When more than 5 lineal feet of the mail chute will be concealed, removal panels must be provided in the concealing features to permit easy access to the chute for removal of blockades. The concealed equipment should be so manufactured and installed that it can be readily removed if necessary. In no case shall the chutes be placed behind elevator screens or partitions or run through any part of a building to which the public is denied access, without prior approval of the Regional Director.

(ii) Mail chutes installed in pairs must be so constructed and erected that any part of either chute may be removed, leaving the other for service.

(iii) The chute must be so constructed that it can be easily opened and closed without the use of tools and without injury to structure or finish, and all portions of its interior must be easily reached. Where panels are not set entirely inside channels, adequate intermediate fastenings controlled by official key must be provided.

(d) Specifications for construction of receiving boxes-(1) Dimensions. The cubic contents of receiving boxes will be determined by the postmaster. The bottom of the door of the box must not be less than 30 inches from the floor level of the building. The exterior of the bottom of the box must not be less than 20 inches from the floor level, and this space shall be entirely open and unobstructed and so arranged that the mail collector may place a satchel or other receptacle in

convenient position under the bottom of the door when making collections.

(2) Material. Receiving boxes must be constructed of metal of sufficient weight and such character as to insure security and rigidity. Boxes must be provided with cushions, yielding bottoms, or deflecting devices which will effectively prevent damage to mail matter descending through the chute. If cushions are used, they shall be made of wool felt and covered with asbestos cloth. The bottom of the box must be provided with a suitable means of attaching and holding the carrier's satchel or other receptacle in position.

(3) Door and floor. Receiving boxes must be provided with doors opening to the right upon exposed side hinges secured with rivets. The door openings must be not less than 12 by 20 inches nor more than 18 by 30 inches. The floor of the interior of the box, or cushion if one is used, must be level with the threshold of the door. Four screw holes must be placed in the door, to fit letterbox arrow locks furnished by the postmaster.

(4) Mail slots, markings, and display frames. Boxes must be provided with mail openings 14 inches wide by 11 inches long, protected by inside hood. Openings shall be not more than 5 feet 10 inches above the floor level and protected by inside hinge flaps, and legibly inscribed Letters. Boxes must be distinctly marked U.S. Mail Letter Box and must be provided with suitable and convenient frames to display collection schedule cards 34 by 51⁄2 inches in size.

(5) Location. Every receiving box must be placed as near to a main entrance of the building as practicable. Receiving boxes must not be located more than 100 feet from a main entrance by the shortest line of travel. The location will be approved only when the postmaster, after careful examination of the tentative building plan, finds it impracticable because of structural conditions to place a receiving box closer to a main entrance. A receiving box may be placed on only the ground floor of a building.

(6) Auxiliary box. If the receiving box to be attached to the chute will not be of sufficient size to accommodate the deposits of first-class mail, an auxiliary box or boxes of sufficient capacity should be installed close to the mail chute boxes. The cubic contents of the auxiliary receiving box or boxes will be determined

by the postmaster and their construction must conform to the general specifications for the receiving boxes except deflecting devices are not required. The mail openings should be of sufficient size to permit the deposit of first-class mail tied in bundles and the mail opening or "pull-down" shall be inscribed Letters and Letter Mail Tied in Bundles.

(7) Metal compartments. If, due to structural conditions, it is not practicable to install auxiliary boxes, a metal compartment comparable in size to a small P.O. sack rack should be provided. Although no specifications are stipulated for the construction of the metal compartment, it should be of sufficient height and length to permit the suspension of the required number of sacks from hooks, the number of mail openings to correspond to the number of sacks. The compartment must be lettered or stenciled U.S. Mail in large letters and have on each section or at the mail opening the inscription Letter Mail Tied in Bundles. The compartment must be constructed so as to permit the convenient hanging and withdrawing of the sacks.

(8) Combination letter and bundle bor. If the receiving box to be attached to a chute will not be of sufficient size to accommodate the deposits of firstclass mail, and it is not desired to install a separate auxiliary box, a combination letter and bundle letterbox may be attached to the chute in lieu of the regular receiving box, constructed as follows:

(i) The box must be at least 60 inches high, 23 inches wide, and 17 inches deep, and shall have a pull-down inlet door with an opening 7 by 111⁄2 inches inscribed Letters and Letter Mail Tied in Bundles. The bottom edge of the door opening should be not more than 5 feet above the floor level. The mail opening shall be fully protected by inside baffle plates so as to prevent pilfering of mail.

(ii) At a height of 3 feet 4 inches from the bottom of the box, there must be placed a 34-inch pipe hanger (removable) along each side of the box from the front to the back, each equipped with two sliding hooks so that a No. 1 mail sack may be hung thereon.

(iii) The bottom of the door of the box should be flush or below the level of the bottom of the box and this door should be of such size and so constructed as to permit the convenient hanging and withdrawing of the sacks. There must be four screw holes in this door to fit the

letterbox arrow lock to be furnished by the postmaster.

(iv) Boxes shall be distinctly marked U.S. Mail.

(e) Maintenance of chutes and receiving boxes. (1) Every mailing chute

and receiving box must be inspected by a representative of the postmaster at least once a year; and such cleaning and repairing as may be directed by the postmaster must then be done under his supervision, by and at the expense of the proprietor or lessee of the building in which such mailing chute and receiving box are situated. Form 1506, Mail Chute Inspection, should be completed at the time the chute is inspected and retained in the office of the postmaster.

(2) If the postmaster finds that any part of the chute or receiving box does not conform to these regulations, or has become defective, he must close the mail openings and discontinue collections, and shall not resume collections until the mailing chute and receiving box fully meet the requirements of these regulations. All repairs, changes, and alterations to mailing chutes and receiving boxes must be made by and at the expense of the owner or lessee of the building in which they are situated, under the supervision and subject to the approval of the postmaster.

(3) Any obstruction in a mailing chute must be at once reported to the postmaster, who must promptly make an inspection of the chute. If the obstruction resulted from misuse or abuse of the chute, he will notify the proprietor or lessee of the building in which it is located and may, in his discretion, close the mail openings and discontinue collections until satisfied that proper care will be taken in the future use of the chute and the receiving box. If collections are discontinued, the postmaster will attach to the chute, at the several mail openings, notices of discontinuance.

(f) Custody and control of chutes and receiving boxes. (1) Mailing chutes and receiving boxes are considered the property of the United States as long as collections of mail are made from them and shall remain under the exclusive custody and control of the postmaster until collections are discontinued by his direction.

(2) Every mail chute contract must contain an explicit waiver by the owner or owners of patents issued or to be issued on the chute and receiving box covered by the contract, and on any de

vice or devices connected therewith, of all claims against the United States and its officers and agents for the use of such chute and box and such device or devices.

(3) The contract must contain a full warranty by the company or person proposing to erect the chute and receiving box against claims on account of infringements of the patents of others. Before commencing collections of mail, the postmaster must assure himself that a blanket bond in such form and with such penalty as may be prescribed by the Postmaster General has been filed at the Department conditioned that the obligor and his or its sureties shall and will protect and indemnify the United States from any and all such claims, accompanied with a written notice from such person or company that they have no claim of any kind against such mailing chute and receiving box. This bond must be in the amount of $10,000, though a larger sum may be required if considered advisable by the Post Office Department.

(4) With every mail chute contract submitted for approval there must be furnished evidence that a surety bond in the sum of $3,000 has been given to the purchaser guaranteeing the construction and installation of the mail chute equipment in accordance with the rules, regulations, and specifications of the Post Office Department, and that any defect arising within 3 years will be remedied by the manufacturer without expense to the purchaser.

(5) When mail chutes and receiving boxes are installed under lease, the postmaster is authorized to sign an agreement, endorsed on the back of the contract, between the owner or lessee of the building and the person or company installing the chutes and boxes, providing that if the lessors shall request return of the equipment, the postmaster will, after due notice to the owner or lessee, discontinue collections, remove the lock from the receiving box, and permit the removal of the equipment by the lessors. This arrangement is limited to situations in which the building owner or lessee has (i) personally entered into the lease, or (ii) explicitly agreed to be bound by the terms of the lease, where he is not the original owner or lessee. It is not applicable whenever there is a transfer of ownership or lease of property involving leased mail chute equipment, and the new owner or lessee does not expressly agree in writing to be bound by the lease.

Unless a subsequent owner or lessee explicity agrees to be bound by the lease terms applicable to mail chutes and receiving boxes, the lease will be considered as having been terminated upon transfer of ownership or lease of the building. Postmasters will not endorse contracts and sign agreements between building owners or lessees and firms installing mail chute equipment except under either one of the two conditions.

(g) Regulations of this section to be part of every contract. The contents of this section must be printed on the back and become a part of every contract for the erection and use of mailing chutes and receiving boxes entered into between the manufacturers or owners of chutes and boxes and the proprietor or lessee of the building in which they are located. [26 F.R. 11659, Dec. 6, 1961, as amended at 30 F.R. 15739, Dec. 21, 1965]

Subpart H-Rules of Procedure Relating to the Disposition of Money or Other Property Recovered by Postal Inspectors

§ 201.80 Disposition of money or other property recovered by Postal Inspec

tors.

(a) The Chief Postal Inspector is authorized by the Postmaster General to determine upon satisfactory evidence the ownership of money or other property lost or stolen from the mails and recovered by Postal Inspectors, and to dispose of it to the United States Government, or to the senders or owners of the mail as their interests shall appear, as indicated below.

(b) When investigation by Postal Inspectors establishes individual responsibility for mistreatment of mail matter, they give attention to collecting the amount of the loss. Such collections are forwarded by inspectors to the Bureau of Finance of the Post Office Department for deposit. The Chief Postal Inspector then reviews the facts and disposes of the money.

(c) When Postal Inspectors recover identical money and identified articles stolen from the mails they restore it to the owners, if it is not needed as evidence or when no longer needed as such, unless otherwise directed by the United States Attorney or the Court or the Post Office Department, or unless the owners have received an indemnity payment or other settlement is in order.

(d) When Postal Inspectors recover property other than money which is believed to be the contents of mail but not so identified, they forward it to the designated post offices for treatment as dead mail matter if it is not needed as evidence or when no longer needed as such, unless otherwise directed by the United States Attorney or the Court or the Post Office Department.

(e) When an inspector believes that the disposition of money or other property by him is inadvisable because of insufficiency of identification, conflicting claims, or other reasons, the disposition of the money or other property is determined by the Chief Postal Inspector.

(f) If money collected by inspectors represents a compromise offer, or if advisable for other reasons, it is channeled to the Chief Postal Inspector for treatment by him.

(g) Subject to the foregoing, inspectors generally disburse collections made by them direct to those entitled to the money if the collections apply to a raised, stolen, double paid, or wrongly paid postal money order or postal savings certificate; customs duty assessed on mail matter; damage by the public to a mail truck or street letter box equipment; COD charges embezzled by an employee if money orders are issued by incumbent postmaster; revenues from second-class, metered, permit imprint, registered, and permit mail fees; discrepancies in accounts of incumbent and former postmasters except loss of mail containing official remittances; salary overpayments; or improper payments of uniform allowances.

(h) Moneys lost or stolen from the mails and recovered by Postal Inspectors are sent by them to the Bureau of Finance for deposit unless, as in the case of identical money or for other reasons, other action may be in order.

(i) With respect to moneys deposited with the Bureau of Finance, the Chief Postal Inspector, after determining upon satisfactory evidence the proper disposition to be made of it, furnishes the Bureau of Finance with instructions for disbursement.

(j) Persons suffering losses of money or other property from the mails should report it to the postmaster and furnish the envelope, wrapper, or container, if available. Such reports are channeled by postmasters to the proper Postal Inspector in charge. If there is good reason to keep knowledge of the report from

the postmaster, it should be sent to the Postmaster General, Washington 25, D.C. When such money or property is recovered by Postal Inspectors, it is disposed of as previously shown.

(39 U.S.C. 4001, 4002) [26 F.R. 11661, Dec. 6, 1961]

Subpart I-Rules of Procedure Relating to the Payment of Rewards § 201.82 Payment of rewards.

(a) Services meriting rewards. Subject to the availability of funds, the Post Office Department will upon publication of this notice in the FEDERAL REGISTER pay a reward for the arrest and conviction of any person for the following offenses:

ROBBERY

(1) Not to exceed $2,000 for robbery or attempted robbery of any custodian of any mail, or money or other property of the United States under the control and jurisdiction of the Post Office Department, if such custodian is wounded or his life jeopardized with a dangerous weapon; but not to exceed $1,000 if the custodian is not wounded, or his life jeopardized with a dangerous weapon.

MAILING OF BOMBS OR POISON

(2) Not to exceed $2,000 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 $200 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 $200 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 $200 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 $200 for embezzlement of mail or the contents thereof by a mail carrier on a mail messenger or star route.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

(7) 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.

(8) 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.

(9) 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.

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

(11) 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.

(12) 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.

(13) 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.

(14) 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.

(R.S. 161, as amended; 5 U.S.C. 301, 39 U.S.C. 309, 501, 509) [31 F.R. 265, Jan. 8, 1966] Subpart J-Rules of Procedure Gov

erning the Compromise of Obligations

§ 201.85 Compromise of obligations.

Any proposition of compromise shall be submitted in writing, and the amount offered in compromise shall be deposited with the Director, Division of Postal Funds, Bureau of Finance, Post Office Department. If the offer in compromise is rejected the amount deposited will be