Post Office to Investigate Unstamped College Letters

The Post Office Department will investigate and prosecute individuals and organizations who are placing unstamped mail in University mailboxes.

John J. Dwyer, Senior Examiner for the Post Office Inspectors in Boston, stated that "putting unstamped mail in a delivery box is a violation of federal law." Dwyer noted that it was also a violation of the University regulations for undergraduate organizations.

He said that the situation had come to his attention after a candidate for the Student Council, Carl Sloane '58, had placed unstamped mail in the Kirkland House boxes. "But," he added, "we intend to bill for postage and turn over to the U.S. District Attorney for prosecution all violators."

Dwyer admitted that "this may include Harvard and several merchants in Harvard Square." He added that the minimum penalty for violation was payment of first class postage on all such mail. Estimates of what this might cost the University were not available last night.

University May be Guilty

Meanwhile, Sloane admitted that his circular had been placed in the Kirkland boxes, but stated that they were put there "inadvertently." Sloane stated he "did not know that it was illegal," and added that "we will be glad to pay whatever fine the Post Office may impose."

At the same time, a check of House offices disclosed that most of them used the House mailboxes to distribute notices and House mail to students.

At the same time, a high University official expressed "surprise" at the Post Office's action and maintained that the University had made an agreement with the Post Office "six or seven years ago" to allow the Houses to use the mailboxes.