SAVINGS BONDS INTEREST. It was a record-breaking year. With a total of 13,701 new or increased savers, the 2002 U.S. Savings Bonds Campaign pushed way beyond last year's total of 10,130 new or increased savers. For the first time, the program offered postal savers Series I Bonds in addition to Series EE Bonds. The new series I Bonds attracted 4,994 new allotments.

UNDERSTANDING THE HATCH ACT. The just-released Postal Bulletin 22088 provides an easy to understand guide to the Hatch Act. www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/2002/pb22088.pdf. The Postal Bulletin gives information on prohibited activities on postal property, employee political activity and when it is permissible to run for office. Local managers should pose questions on ethics and conduct regulations to their designated manger. Look for more information in the Postal Operations Manual, 124.54.

EARLY-BIRD DROP, SAME DAY DELIVERY. Parcel Select customers who take advantage of "early-bird" acceptance hours will receive same-day delivery service at many USPS locations. "They wanted early-bird hours, and we wanted their business, so we opened at five in the morning," said Chief Operating Officer Pat Donahoe, referring to his recent directive to expand acceptance hours at large destination delivery units nationwide. "Many of the packages dropped during our early bird hours will be delivered the same day, with the rest the next day," he added. The newly expanded hours have been posted on the USPS website for customer convenience at http://www.usps.com/shipping/acceptance.htm.