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Story
September 30, 1955
Arizona Sun
Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona
What is this article about?
In 1955, US Postmaster General Arthur E. Summerfield announced a redesigned postal money order form starting October 1 to streamline issuance, cut wait times at post offices, and reduce fraud, saving about 40% of processing time.
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Postal Money Orders 'New Look' Slated
United States Postal Money Orders on October 1, 1955, will be sold with a "New Look" designed to speed up the issuance of the orders, cut down on the time patrons now have to wait at windows, and help reduce the number of raised money orders, Postmaster General Arthur E. Summerfield announced today.
"These new money orders," the Postmaster General said, "will be issued initially only in first and second class offices. Later, as present supplies of old ones are exhausted, the new ones will also be at the smaller third and fourth class offices."
Mr. Summerfield said the new design is the result of many hours of research and study, and should prove to be of great benefit to the million or more persons who daily make use of money orders for a myriad of reasons.
"The new money order," Mr. Summerfield explained, "is divided into three perforated parts. One is for the issuing post office's record, the second for the purchaser's record, and the third is the actual body of the order showing amount, names of purchaser and payee and other data."
"Heretofore, it was necessary for the patron to fill out an application form and for the issuing clerk to fill in the amount, the name of the purchaser, and other details, which very often caused long lines to form at the money order windows as patrons waited their turns. Under the new system there is no application form, and the clerk need only collect the money and the fee, fill in the amount of the order and the dollar amount limitation (in words of $10.00 multiple), detach the post office's record, and return the rest to the patron to fill out and send to the payee."
Mr. Summerfield said it has been estimated that approximately 40 per cent of issuing time will be saved through the use of these new forms. In some offices this will mean a money order window might be closed or changed to a "combined service" window with the clerk assigned to some other important job in the office.
"This is another step in the Department's determination to use every means of improving mail service for all Americans," the Postmaster General emphasized.
United States Postal Money Orders on October 1, 1955, will be sold with a "New Look" designed to speed up the issuance of the orders, cut down on the time patrons now have to wait at windows, and help reduce the number of raised money orders, Postmaster General Arthur E. Summerfield announced today.
"These new money orders," the Postmaster General said, "will be issued initially only in first and second class offices. Later, as present supplies of old ones are exhausted, the new ones will also be at the smaller third and fourth class offices."
Mr. Summerfield said the new design is the result of many hours of research and study, and should prove to be of great benefit to the million or more persons who daily make use of money orders for a myriad of reasons.
"The new money order," Mr. Summerfield explained, "is divided into three perforated parts. One is for the issuing post office's record, the second for the purchaser's record, and the third is the actual body of the order showing amount, names of purchaser and payee and other data."
"Heretofore, it was necessary for the patron to fill out an application form and for the issuing clerk to fill in the amount, the name of the purchaser, and other details, which very often caused long lines to form at the money order windows as patrons waited their turns. Under the new system there is no application form, and the clerk need only collect the money and the fee, fill in the amount of the order and the dollar amount limitation (in words of $10.00 multiple), detach the post office's record, and return the rest to the patron to fill out and send to the payee."
Mr. Summerfield said it has been estimated that approximately 40 per cent of issuing time will be saved through the use of these new forms. In some offices this will mean a money order window might be closed or changed to a "combined service" window with the clerk assigned to some other important job in the office.
"This is another step in the Department's determination to use every means of improving mail service for all Americans," the Postmaster General emphasized.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Postal Money Orders
New Design
Efficiency Improvement
Postmaster General
1955 Announcement
What entities or persons were involved?
Arthur E. Summerfield
Where did it happen?
United States Postal Offices
Story Details
Key Persons
Arthur E. Summerfield
Location
United States Postal Offices
Event Date
October 1, 1955
Story Details
Postmaster General Arthur E. Summerfield announced a new design for US Postal Money Orders to speed issuance, reduce wait times, and prevent raised orders. The new form has three perforated parts, eliminates application forms, and saves 40% of issuing time.