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 al............