papers include contracts, stock certificates, promissory notes, bonds and other negotiable securities, insurance policies, title policies, abstracts of title, mortgages, deeds, leases and articles of incorporation.

(2) Legal papers and documents. Legal papers and documents are not letters. This class of matter is intended for use in law suits or formal quasijudicial proceedings, orders of court and the like.

(3) Official records. Examples of official records which are not letters are: birth and death certificates, election ballots, and tally sheets, lists of registration of voters and certificates to practice certain professions.

(4) Drawings, etc. A picture or other visual representation of a physical thing, actual or projected, would not be a letter. Examples are drawings, blueprints, maps and plat surveys.

(5) Advertising and directory materials. Catalogs are not letters except as stated in paragraph (c) (5) of this section. Directories and unaddressed advertising handbills or circulars are not letters.

(6) Interoffice communications. Examples of interoffice communications which are not letters are:

Carbon copy of a letter previously sent to the same address if it contains no information not in the original.

Matters sent for filing and storage only and not intended for the recipient's own use. Matters sent for auditing to determine whether charges and credits are correct, when the results of the audit are not used to adjust accounts within the organization.

Data sent to a central office for preparation of customers bills if the data is returned to the sender and no part of the information is retained by the central office.

(7) Checks and drafts. Bank checks in their ordinary form containing only the names of the drawer, payee, bank upon which drawn, amount of money, and date of issue are not letters. Checks, notes, and drafts sent by banks to other banks for collection of payment are not letters. Canceled checks and drafts may be returned to the drawer without being classed as letters. Checks issued by creameries to farmer-producers frequently bear on their face, or are accompanied by, statements showing the basis for computation of the amount of the check, e. g., the weight, butterfat content, bacterial count, deductions for hauling, and the like. So long as none of the information is extraneous to the

check itself, these statements may accompany, or appear on, a check being transmitted by a contract hauler or otherwise outside the mail without either the check or statement being subject to payment of postage. See § 152.3(c).

(8) Matters sent for auditing or preparation of bills. Freight bills, invoices, paid bills, sales slips, receipts, records of receipts and disbursements and the like which are forwarded for the sole purpose of having them audited internally on behalf of the sender are not letters. Such matter becomes letters when the person or office which receives them takes any corrective action or adjusts accounts between the sender and addressee, or otherwise makes use either of the material forwarded or the results of the audit. This same rule applies to material sent to a central office for the sole purpose of preparing customers statements, unless other use is made or action taken by that central office. The subsequent mailing of the bills to the customers by the central office would not cause the working matter sent to that office to be considered letters. Similarly, matter forwarded for the performance of purely mechanical work such as photostating or mathematical computation would not constitute letters.

(9) Old correspondence and other matters sent for filing, storage, or destruction. Old correspondence, records and any other type of matter sent from one office to another for filing, storage or destruction are not letters since there is no purpose of communicating any intelligence to the addressee. The matter so sent will be considered as a letter if it is sent for the purpose of establishing a file from which the addressee may at some time take information on which he will then act, rely or refrain from acting.

(10) Examination papers. Examination papers forwarded for scoring to a central scoring agency are not regarded as letters provided the scoring agency does not make use of the scores or other information derived from the papers. Examination papers with scores marked on them would normally be considered letters when returned to the school or person who previously sent them for scoring or when forwarded to a third person who may be expected to take action based on the results of the examination. Any later use of the examination papers, after the scoring by the central agency, places them in the category of letters.

(11) Manuscript and news items. Manuscript intended for publication when not accompanied by any matter in the nature of personal correspondence is not a letter. Mere news matter prepared by press correspondents for the columns of their publications are not letters. News matter to be used for the purpose of radio broadcasting is not a letter.

[26 F.R. 11573, Dec. 6, 1961, as amended at 26 F.R. 12125, Dec. 19, 1961; 33 F.R. 17243, Nov. 21, 1968. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

§ 152.3 Permissible carriage of letters.

(a) Exemptions from postal monopoly. Under certain conditions, letters may be carried outside the postal system without payment of U. S. postage.

(b) Current business of carrier. (1) Letters which relate to the current business of a carrier do not come under the postal monopoly. These are letters written by or addressed to officers or employees of the carrier, in their official capacities, on the business of the carrier.

(2) Any business of the carrier is deemed to be its current business when it comes up in such a way as to call for a current communication.

(3) This exemption applies only where the employees of the carrier are used to carry their employers letters between offices but the use of an independent contractor who makes regular trips between any two points on a post route is not permissible.

(4) The different units of a railroad system or other system of carriers, as long as they are separate, independent operating units are, third parties to each other and consequently are not considered a single carrier for the purpose of this exemption.

(c) Cargo documents. (1) A carrier may transport letters which relate exclusively to some part of the cargo of the same conveyance or to some article carried at the same time by the same con. veyance. This exemption permits a carrier to convey, without the payment of postage, letters such as invoices, bills of lading, shippers bills, waybills, freight bills, and the like, when they accompany shipments to which they exclusively relate.

(2) Receipts evidencing delivery of goods by a carrier are not letters.

(3) Live, current information in a letter, extraneous to the shipment it accompanies, takes it out of the exemption

for letters which relate to some article carried at the same time.

(d) Carriage without compensation. Letters may be transmitted by private hands without compensation. A person or firm engaged in the transportation of goods or persons for hire cannot be considered "private hands without compensation." The phrase just quoted denotes transportation of a letter which does not take place in the course of business of the person or firm carrying the letter.

(e) Special messengers. (1) A special messenger may be employed, for the particular occasion only, to transmit letters when not more than 25 letters are involved. A special messenger is one who at the request of either the sender or the addressee of the letter, picks it up from the sender's home or place of business and carries it to the addressee's home or place of business.

(2) If, however, letters are picked up by one messenger and taken to a central office for delivery by another, neither the messenger picking up the letter nor the messenger delivering it to the addressee could then be considered a special messenger.

(3) This exemption as to the use of special messengers is restricted to isolated instances in which there is no regularity in use by the sender or addressee of the particular messenger or the organization by which he is employed.

(4) A messenger or a carrier operating regularly between fixed points is not a special messenger.

(f) Where postage is paid. (1) Letters may be carried by an individual, express company, or any other person outside the mail to any point within or without the United States provided the conditions specified in this part are followed.

(2) Each letter carried outside the mails must be placed in a sealed envelope bearing the appropriate amount of postage. The amount of postage required must be the same as would have been required had the letter been sent through the mail at the first-class rate or by air if so carried. The amount of postage need not include registry or insurance fees even if the letter is privately insured. If postage is in the form of stamps, they must be canceled with ink by the sender. The sender must write the date of the letter on the envelope, or the person carrying it must write on the envelope the date he received the letter. The name and address of the person for whom the

letter is intended must be written on the envelope.

(3) Letters which the sender is entitled to send through the mails without a charge for postage may be sent in a similar manner outside the mails without the payment of postage. This would apply in the case of certain official Government mail and mail of certain diplomatic and consular officers of other nations. If the free mailing privilege does not extend to airmail then such letters must bear the appropriate air mail postage, if sent by air express.

(4) It is permissible to establish a service for collecting for the addressees letters received at the post office, provided the letters remain unopened. Letters received through the mail at one office of a firm may be forwarded by surface means outside the mail without payment of additional postage so long as they remain unopened. This applies likewise to letters addressed to one firm in care of another to which they are to be forwarded. Moreover, if the letters are opened before they are forwarded, the forwarding of the open letters would be considered a new shipment of the matter. Such forwarding will then be regarded as the transmission of letters upon which additional postage will be due, if they are intended to convey to the ultimate addressee live, current information upon which he may act, rely, or refrain from acting.

[26 F.R. 11573, Dec. 6, 1961, as amended at 33 F.R. 18237, Dec. 7, 1968. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

at times to connect with mail dispatches. Mail is also collected in business sections at frequent intervals to keep boxes from becoming overloaded and to provide an even flow of mail to the post office. Patrons are urged to deposit mail as early in the day as possible. Early mailings advance delivery time.

§ 153.2 Ordinary deposit of mail.

(a) Post office lobbies. Letter drops are provided in lobbies of all post offices for the deposit of mail. Where warranted, post offices provide special slots or receptacles for the deposit of mail which has been separated by patrons according to local, out-of-town, air-mail, special delivery, or other appropriate designations.

(b) Collection boxes. Collection boxes for the deposit of mail are placed at convenient points in areas served by city carriers. At non-city-delivery offices, collection boxes are located in front of the post office quarters. Schedules are posted on these boxes showing collection times. Nonpersonnel rural stations and branches also provide a collection box for the deposit of mail which is collected by the rural carrier serving the unit.

(c) Rural boxes. Mail on which postage has been paid may be deposited for collection in mail boxes on rural routes. [26 F.R. 11575, Dec. 6, 1961, as amended at 31 F.R. 8235, June 11, 1966. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

(a) Acceptable mail. The following types of mail may be handed for dispatch to postal clerks on duty in mail cars or transfer offices, and at airport mail facilities:

(1) First-class mail. On which postage has been paid.

(2) Medicines and serums. Third- or fourth-class mail, presented by representatives of manufacturers or distributors of medicines or serums, when endorsed: "Emergency-This package has been weighed and bears necessary postage. Any additional postage found to be due is guaranteed by sender."

(b) Restrictions. Third-, and fourthclass mail, other than that described in paragraph (a) of this section, and mail to be sent registered, insured, or COD, is not mailable with postal clerks at mail cars, transfer offices, or airport mail facilities.

§ 153.4 Separation of mail by sender.

Patrons having large mailings should separate them into packages marked "Local" and "Out of Town". Labels with these designations may be obtained from the post office. Mail thus separated is usually dispatched earlier. § 153.5 Recall of mail.

(a) Who may recall mail. Mail deposited in a post office may be recalled by the sender, by the parent or guardian of a minor child, or by the guardian of a person of unsound mind.

(b) Application. Submit Form 1509, Sender's Application for Recall of Mail, which is obtainable at any post office, to the postmaster at the office of mailing.

(c) Expenses. The mailer must pay all expenses of recalling mail, including the cost of any necessary telegrams, and the regular rate of return postage (except for first-class mail, which is returned with additional postage), when the mail is returned.

(d) Notification. If the mail has been delivered before receipt of the recall application or message, the mailer will be notified. The addressee will not be informed that recall was requested.

re

(e) Original postage. If mail called before dispatch is again presented for mailing, the original stamps will be accepted for postage at face value. This does not apply to stamps in payment of registry, insurance, or COD fees. [26 F.R. 11575, Dec. 6, 1961, as amended at 27 F.R. 6978, July 24, 1962. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

§ 153.6 Mail chutes and receiving boxes.

(a) Use. (1) Mailing chutes and receiving boxes may be placed at the expense of the owner in public buildings, railroad stations, hotels, and business or office buildings of not less than 4 stories, and apartment houses of not less than 40 residential apartments. Buildings in which receiving boxes are located must be open to the general public, without restrictions, during the hours prescribed for mail collections. If the owner of a building does not desire to install a mail chute and receiving box, a receiving box only may be installed, provided the postmaster has determined it is necessary and has approved its installation.

(2) Mailing chutes and receiving boxes are intended for the reception or deposit of mail matter of the first class and must not be used for the deposit of mail of any other class.

(1) Re

(b) Approval of installation. quests for the installation of mailing 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 specification, 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) Specifications 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 tempered glass not less than three-sixteenths of an inch in thickness or heavy sheet or plate glass not less than one-fourth inch in thickness. All joints in the chute must be tight so that mail matter cannot catch or lodge therein. Slip-joint construction shall be utilized whereby the upper section will fit into the end of the lower section providing an overlap of not less than 2 inches.

(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 sec

tions 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 upon chutes at every mail opening.

(ii) At each slot opening, there must be attached a suitable dustproof glass covered frame, 43⁄4 by 9 inches, in which will be placed POD Sign 23, U.S. Mail, giving current 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 so 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. Postmasters must retain possession of all mail chute keys. When new equipment is installed, prompt action must be taken to obtain such keys before the equipment is placed in use.

(5) Location and arrangement. (1) 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, removable 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 removed readily 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 constructed with a divider and dual receiving boxes to permit the segregation of "Local” and “Out-of-Town” mail. In addition they must be so erected that service could be discontinued on any part of either chute leaving the other available 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 por

tions of its interior must be easily reached. If 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 letter box 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 334 by 51⁄2 inches in size.

(5) Location. To promote an efficient collection operation, receiving boxes must be placed near the main entrance of the building, or the loading-unload