[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 31, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-21495]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: August 31, 1994]
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POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
Revisions to Standards for Walk-Sequenced Bulk Third-Class Mail
AGENCY: Postal Service.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This final rule amends Domestic Mail Manual standards
concerning walk-sequenced bulk third-class mail to require an
identifying marking on each piece.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 10, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Moeller, (202) 268-2660.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 20, 1994, the Postal Service
published for public comment a proposed rule that would amend the
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) standards for walk-sequence rate third-class
mail. 59 FR 37011. Under current DMM section M304.3.2, mailpieces
claimed at a walk-sequence rate must be so identified either by a
marking on the piece or by a facing slip on the top of each package of
such pieces. The proposed rule would make the on-piece rate marking a
requirement; facing slips would still be allowed, but they would no
longer fulfill the requirement for identifying the mail as walk-
sequence rate. The proposed requirement would allow the Postal Service
to quantify more precisely the costs of walk-sequenced mail through its
existing cost systems.
The Postal Service received comments on the proposed rule from four
parties. Only one party recommended retaining the use of facing slips
as a fulfillment of the requirement to identify walk-sequenced
mailings. The commenter stated that because only a small segment of
qualifying mail uses facing slips, the slips should not cause problems
for the Postal Service. However, allowing facing slips rather than the
marking could support a contention that some costs were not being
captured by postal cost systems and thus cast doubt on the validity of
the resulting cost estimates. The Postal Service feels that the value
of obtaining reliable cost data for walk-sequenced mail outweighs the
minor inconvenience that the requirement would cause for this small
segment of mail.
Two commenters suggested that the Postal Service require other rate
markings that would allow an even finer breakdown of costs by its cost
systems. The Postal Service feels that the additional markings would
represent a more significant change than what was contained in the
proposed rule. Moreover, it is unclear that the benefits from more
detailed costing warrant such a major change in mail preparation
requirements. Therefore, the Postal Service is limiting this rulemaking
to the new marking requirements for walk-sequenced mail.
One commenter sought clarification regarding the application of the
proposed rule to mailings using detached address cards. Only the
detached address card will be required to bear the marking, not the
item accompanying the card.
Another commenter stated that the requirement of two additional
characters (WS) takes up more space in an already crowded area. The
Postal Service is sympathetic to this concern and the final rule has
been written accordingly to allow the marking WS CAR SORT to be used to
denote walk-sequence-rated mail.
After full consideration of the comments received, as discussed
above, the Postal Service has decided to adopt as the final rule the
DMM revisions contained in the proposed rule, amended as noted above.
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111
Postal Service.
For the reasons discussed above, the Postal Service hereby adopts
the following amendments to the Domestic Mail Manual, which is
incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations (see 39
CFR part 111).
PART 111--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 3001-
3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.
2. Amend Domestic Mail Manual unit M304 by adding a new subsection
1.3 and revising subsection 3.2 to read as follows:
M304 Walk-Sequence
1.0 Basic Standards
* * * * *
1.3 Marking
In addition to the markings required by M303, each piece claimed at
a walk-sequence rate must be marked ``WS'' immediately preceding either
the carrier route information on the carrier route information line
(e.g., **WS CARRIER ROUTE 017) or the carrier route presort marking
shown in M303 (e.g., WS CAR-RT SORT, or the abbreviated form WS CAR
SORT). Pieces not claimed at a walk-sequence rate must not bear the
``WS'' marking.
* * * * *
3.0 Preparation
* * * * *
3.2 Labeling
In addition to the labeling required in M303, a facing slip with a
phrase identifying the mail (such as ``WALK-SEQUENCED CARRIER ROUTE
MAIL'') may be placed on the top of each package. A facing slip does
not satisfy the marking required on each piece by 1.3.
* * * * *
[A transmittal letter making these changes in the pages of the
Domestic Mail Manual will be published and will be transmitted to
subscribers automatically. Notice of issuance will be published in
the Federal Register as provided by 39 CFR 111.3.]
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 94-21495 Filed 8-30-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P