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. 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.
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.
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.