how mail must be delivered—work of substitutes—
requirements, uniforms, etc.
letter carriers and substitute letter carriers are appointed by the postmaster general on the nomination of the postmaster.
selection of persons for appointment as substitute letter carriers must be made by the postmaster from the carriers’ eligible register in the manner prescribed by the civil service rules and the nominations submitted to the first assistant postmaster general (division of free delivery), on form 1101, together with the certificate for original appointment, postal service, form 145, issued by the local civil service board. when two or more persons are nominated on the same day for appointment as substitute letter carrier, their seniority shall be determined by their standing, or rating, on the eligible register, and not by the order of their selection.
a vacancy in the regular force must be filled by the promotion of the senior substitute, whom the postmaster shall nominate for appointment on form 1101.[130] when a vacancy occurs in the regular force and there are no substitute letter carriers the nomination for appointment to fill such vacancy shall be made in the manner prescribed in the appointment of substitute letter carriers. the selection of letter carriers and substitute letter carriers at new free delivery offices, upon their establishment, is made from the carriers’ eligible register by the postmaster general.
when a vacancy occurs or an emergency arises necessitating the immediate appointment of a letter carrier and there are no available substitutes, and the eligible register contains less than three names, the postmaster may nominate, for temporary appointment not to exceed ninety days, any person of good character who is within the age limitations. a postmaster is not required to, but may make a selection from an eligible register containing less than three names.
reinstatements to the service will only be made in accordance with rule ix. of the civil service rules. applications for reinstatement to the service must be made through the postmaster to the first assistant postmaster general (division of free delivery). if the application be favorably considered, the first assistant postmaster general will make requisition on the civil service commission for a certificate for reinstatement.
[131]
where an applicant for reinstatement is an honorably discharged soldier or sailor of the late civil war or war with spain he must give the number of the company and the regiment in which he served, and, if possible, transmit through the postmaster the certificate of his honorable discharge from the military or naval service.
transfers from the grade of clerk to that of carrier in the same office may be made, provided they are effected by exchange of positions, and the clerks to be transferred are physically able to perform the duties of a carrier, but transfers from the clerical force to vacancies in the letter carrier force will not be permitted, except in cases where, in the judgment of the first assistant postmaster general, the best interests of the service will be subserved.
the transfer of a carrier from one office to another will not be permitted unless it is shown by the sworn statement of a reputable physician that the health of the carrier or of a member of his immediate family requires a change of climate, and that the transfer is desired on that account. applications for transfer must be indorsed by the postmaster and transmitted by him to the first assistant postmaster general (division of free delivery), with a full statement of the circumstances surrounding each case.
[132]
resignations of letter carriers and substitute letter carriers must be made in writing and forwarded to the first assistant postmaster general (division of free delivery). no resignation requested by the postmaster, or by anyone for him, will be accepted.
letter carriers will not be removed except for just cause, upon written charges filed with the first assistant postmaster general (division of free delivery), of which they shall be given due notice and allowed full opportunity for defense. the charges shall specifically set forth alleged delinquency or misconduct, giving the date and place of the occurrence.
every letter carrier shall give bonds, with sureties, to be approved by the postmaster general, for the safe custody and delivery of all mail matter, and the faithful account and payment of all money received by him. each letter carrier and substitute letter carrier shall, at the time of his appointment, give bond in the sum of one thousand dollars. it is preferred that bonds furnished by one of the surety companies authorized to act as sureties on official bonds be given. the original bonds of two or more carriers or substitutes, appointed at the same time, may be given on a blanket or schedule form. letter carriers transferred from one post office to another, and substitutes promoted to be regular carriers, must file new bonds, their[133] former bonds terminating on the date of such transfer or promotion. a list of the companies authorized to act as sole surety on official bonds will be furnished upon application to the first assistant postmaster general (division of free delivery). all bonds of carriers must be filed with the first assistant postmaster general (division of free delivery).
every carrier, before beginning active service, shall take the official oath prescribed in section 207, which oath will be retained on the files of the local post office, subject to the call of the first assistant postmaster general or to inspection by a post office inspector or other officer of the post office department.
uniforms of carriers.
the postmaster general may prescribe a uniform dress to be worn by letter carriers, and any person not connected with the letter carrier branch of the postal service who shall wear the uniform which may be prescribed shall for every such offense be punishable by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
letter carriers and substitutes must procure uniforms at their own expense. postmasters will advise[134] and assist them in obtaining well-fitting suits of the prescribed material and at the best terms.
uniforms made according to the following specifications must be worn by all letter carriers:
for winter uniform.
coat.—a double-breasted, square-corner sack coat, with lapels, and made of bluish-gray worsted or serge, terminating two-thirds of the distance from the top of the hipbone to the knee, with a pocket at each side and one on the left breast, all outside, with flaps 2-3/4 to 3 inches wide, with length to suit height of wearer, say, 6-1/2 to 7 inches; coat to be piped with the best grade mohair braid, 1/16 inch projecting, to be inserted between edges; ten brass buttons with the design of this department (letter carrier in uniform, with mail bag on shoulder and letter in uplifted hand, or present design with letters “p. o. d.” beneath), down the front to button to the neck, and cord piping around the sleeves, 2-1/2 inches from the bottom, to correspond with piping on the edge; two circular buttons (vest size) on sleeve of coat, equidistant below cord on sleeve; on right shoulder a brass hook 1-1/2 inches long by 3/4 inch wide, to be two inches above sleeve seam, to retain strap of mail bag in its[135] position; coat to be lined with a durable all-wool flannel.
trousers.—of same material and color of coat, with fine black broadcloth piping, 1/4 inch wide, down the outside seam. side and two hip pockets, to be made of strong, durable material.
vest.—a single-breasted vest of same material and color as coat and trousers, with seven circular, brass buttons (vest size), with the letters “p. o. d.” upon the face. four pockets on outside, two on breast, and two at waist, and one on inside.
overcoat or cape.—a reversible cape (detached from the coat) reaching to the cuff of the coat sleeve when the arm is extended, of the same material and color on one side, and gutta-percha cloth on the other side, with five buttons, the same as on the coat, down the front, and bound entirely round with black mohair piping; or an overcoat of the same material and color, trimmed to correspond with the coat, with five brass buttons down the front of the same size and design as the coat button. it shall not be obligatory on the carriers to wear either, but whenever additional covering is needed the postmaster of each city will decide, in accordance with the wishes of the majority of the carriers, which shall be worn, as both must not be worn in the same city.
[136]
for summer wear.
coat.—single-breasted, straight-front sack, with square corners, skeleton made, of bluish-gray flannel, or a light-weight bluish-gray worsted or serge, and terminating two-thirds distance from top of hipbone to knee, with lapels (medium roll) made to button over the breast; three pockets outside, with flaps, one on each side and one on left breast. coat to be bound with black mohair piping, 1/16 inch projection, and five buttons down front, four buttons to button, and one at top, under lapel of coat.
trousers.—same material and color as coat, with black cloth cord, 1/4 inch wide, down the outside seam. side and two hip pockets, to be made of strong and durable material.
vest.—same material and color as coat and trousers, piped same as coat, with collar cut to open same height as coat, and five regulation buttons down the front. vest may be omitted in summer. during the heated term postmasters may permit letter carriers to wear a neat shirt or loose-fitting blouse, instead of coat and vest, the same to be made of light-gray chambray, gingham, light-gray cheviot, or other light-gray washable material, to be worn with turn-down collar, dark tie, and neat belt, all to be uniform at each office. all garments must be sewed with pure-dye sewing[137] silk, and the garments must be finished in a proper and workmanlike manner and goods thoroughly shrunk.
carriers must be designated by number, and nickel-plated figures nine-sixteenths of an inch in length, surmounted by a metallic wreath, must be worn, on the hat, cap, or helmet, the design and pattern to be uniform at all offices, and to be regarded as a part of the carrier’s uniform.
length of service as letter carriers shall be indicated on the carrier’s uniforms by stars, as follows:
five years’ service, one black silk star.
ten years’ service, two black silk stars.
fifteen years’ service, one red silk star.
twenty years’ service, two red silk stars.
twenty-five years’ service, one silver star.
thirty years’ service, two silver stars.
forty years’ service, two gold stars.
all stars will be three-fourths of an inch in diameter and placed one-half inch above black braid on each sleeve, equidistant between seams.
postmasters of free delivery offices will cause a careful inspection of carriers’ uniforms to be made twice a year. a carrier should not be required to buy a new suit or any part thereof, unless the postmaster, after inspection, decides that it is necessary in order to maintain a uniform and neat appearance of the force.
[138]
performance of service.
all letter carriers at free delivery offices shall be entitled to leave of absence, not to exceed fifteen days in each year, without loss of pay. the words “each year” mean fiscal year (july 1st to june 30th, inclusive), and carriers in the service on the first day of july are entitled to receive fifteen days’ vacation, inclusive of sundays and holidays, at any time during the year when the postmaster can best spare them. carriers entering the service after the first day of july are entitled to a pro rata leave of absence during the remainder of the fiscal year, equal to one and a quarter days for each month.
carriers serving as members of the local civil service boards during examinations, as members of the united states militia of the district of columbia, or as witnesses for the government in the united states courts, shall be given leave with full pay during necessary absence occasioned by such service.
postmasters may, in addition to the leave of absence provided by law, grant a leave of absence without pay to carriers in cases of illness, disability received in the service, or other urgent necessity, such leave not to exceed thirty days. an application for a leave of absence to cover a longer period of time must be made to the first assistant postmaster general (division of[139] free delivery) for suspension with loss of pay, or for removal from the service, as the circumstances may require.
when regular carriers are absent from duty for any cause, their places shall be supplied by substitute carriers. the postmaster general is authorized to employ, when necessary, during the time such fifteen days’ leave of absence is granted to a letter carrier, such number of substitute letter carriers as may be deemed advisable, who shall be paid for the services rendered at the rate of six hundred dollars per annum.
substitute carriers shall be assigned to duty by the postmaster, or his representative, and must never be called into service by carriers, except in cases of urgent necessity, when it is plainly impossible to notify the postmaster in time, either by telephone or messenger.
substitute letter carriers will be paid one dollar per annum, payable quarterly. they also receive pay at the rate of $600 per annum when serving in place of carriers who have been granted annual leave of absence. the pro rata salary of carriers for whom they serve who are absent without pay is also given to them, as well as the pro rata salary of carriers who are granted leave of absence with full pay in order that they may serve as members of local civil service boards in conducting examinations, as witnesses for[140] the government in united states courts, or as members of the united states militia of the district of columbia.
when substitutes serve for regular carriers on sunday and perform the same amount of work the regular carrier would have performed on that day, they receive a full day’s pay.
hours of service for carriers.
eight hours constitutes a day’s work for letter carriers in cities or postal districts connected therewith, for which they receive the same pay as is paid for a day’s work of a greater number of hours. if any letter carrier is employed a greater number of hours per day than eight he is paid extra for the same in proportion to the salary fixed by law.
postmasters prepare, for the guidance of carriers in their work, a time schedule made on the basis of eight hours’ work each day, and so arranged as to provide only such time as is absolutely necessary for the legitimate office duties of each carrier. the hours of daily service need not be consecutive. no carrier is scheduled for more work than he can perform during eight hours. carriers need not be required to consume exactly eight hours each day, but as nearly such time as practicable, considering the varying amount of[141] mail to be handled on different days. postmasters must not direct or permit carriers to work overtime, and are held accountable therefor.
letter carriers must not report prior to schedule time for the first trip of the day, nor for the beginning of a trip following a “swing.” carriers must not remain at their desks nor in the working room of the office during a “swing” or interval between trips, nor during the dinner hour; neither must they remain in the post office after completing the last trip of the day.
carriers engaged exclusively in the collection service must not remain in the workroom of the office except while depositing and facing the mail collected by them. carriers must register on the automatic clock register upon reporting, leaving, returning and ending for each trip which begins and ends at the post office. the time from the clock tapes is copied into the time book or pasted into a suitable book and preserved, and constitutes the official record of time. should the clock register be out of order the time recorded by carriers on their daily trip reports is entered in the time book. one carrier must not register on the clock for another. if this rule is violated both the carriers concerned will be removed.
the time of reporting, leaving, returning and ending for each trip must also be recorded by the carriers[142] on their daily trip reports; the entries on these reports must be made at the beginning and end of each trip, and must not be deferred until the close of the day. when collections are made in the morning, on the carrier’s way to the office, the first and second entries on the trip report must be the time of opening the first box. when a carrier completes his delivery on his route and does not return to the post office the time recorded on his trip report for returning and ending on that trip must be the time of his last piece of mail.
where carriers are unable to deliver all mail matter taken out on the last trip of the day without making overtime, they must return to the post office within the eight hours prescribed with the understanding that they make a full report to the superintendent of the station, and a full statement will also be made on the trip report of the day. carriers are required to deliver all mail taken out on the earlier trips, even though such delivery necessitates exceeding the time allowed by the schedules for such trips, unless collections are made for an important dispatch, in which event the latter must be met and mail remaining undelivered will be delivered on the following trip.
every letter carrier must keep a route book, which should be a complete directory of the persons served by him, and all changes of address should be posted[143] daily. carriers must record daily in their log books the disposition made of all undelivered mail. the forwarding of mail, and notifying publishers of changes of address is clerical work, and should not be performed by carriers.
carriers are not permitted to perform clerical work. their work must be confined to the collection and delivery of mail; the routing of mail for delivery; the making up or “logging” of undelivered matter; receipting for and the recording of registered mail; posting route books; the facing of mail collected by them, and, at offices where hand-feed canceling machines are used, the facing of mail directly into such machines, and to duty at carriers’ delivery windows.
in the performance of their duties letter carriers must be civil, prompt and obliging. carriers must attend quietly and diligently to their duties, and under no circumstances must they loiter or stop to converse on their routes, and they must refrain from loud talking, profane language, and smoking in the office or on their routes.
carriers must not solicit, in person or through others, contributions of money, gifts, or presents; issue addresses, complimentary cards, prints, publications, or any substitute therefor intended or calculated to induce the public to make them gifts or presents; distribute,[144] offer for sale, or collect the proceeds of the sale of tickets to theatres, balls, concerts, fairs, or any other entertainment; issue for profit souvenirs or postal handbooks, or in any manner co-operate with or assist the publishers of souvenirs or postal handbooks to secure the patronage of the public; compile city directories for public use or assist publishers to compile the same; borrow money from patrons on their routes; or contract debts which they have no reasonable prospect of being able to pay.
carriers must not engage in any business during their prescribed hours of service, or conduct any business after hours which offers the temptation to solicit patronage on their routes, or which, by reason of their position in the government service, gives them special advantage over competitors, such as book canvassing, soliciting insurance, selling sewing machines, or other kindred occupations.
letter carriers may be reprimanded, suspended with loss of pay, or removed from the service for infractions of the postal laws and regulations, of orders of the department, and of orders of postmasters not inconsistent therewith, as the nature or gravity of the offenses may require. all reprimands and suspensions must be reported to the first assistant postmaster general (division of free delivery) for approval and entry in the carriers’ efficiency record.
