Ti^lTES DEF'AETME?>!T OF AGRiw 
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BUREAU OF n;r 
\VAS:'i!K,GTON. D. C. 
September 23, 1916. 
TO E:v!PLOIEES of the bureau of BIOLOCtIC/iL SURVEY: 
In connectxoii v;ith my rasmorandum of September 20, 1916, 
relating to the non-admission in the United States mails of packages 
exceeding foui” pounds in weight which are mailed, under tha penalty 
privilege, I quote the following from a memorandum dated September 21 
1916, ti com the Chief Clerk of the Depai-'tsuent of figriculture 
e: 
"Your attention is fxirther diracted to letter of 
September* 16th, enclosing Order No. 9887 issued by the 
Postmaster General, under date of August 18th. The Third 
Assistant Postmaster General has e.dvised this office that 
when packages of merchandise or similar matter exceed four 
pounds in weight, the postage on the entire \?eigb,t must be 
paid. This ruling does not apply, however, to printed or 
written matter described in Paragraph 2 of the order, xnhen 
shipped froiTi Washington, D. C. 
"As the appropriation for postage will be insufficient 
to meet the extra burden placed upon it b;r this order, the 
executivo officers of eo-ch bureau, division and office should 
instruct employees conoerned to divide heavy consignments, 
v;herie\''er possible, so ns to come within the weight allowed 
to be mailed under the penalty privilege. All packs-ges 
weighing over four pounds sho’..’ld be shipped by either express 
or freight. 
Respectfully, 
R. H. REESE 
Chief Clerk." 
Very truly yours , 
1 
Biological Survey* 
