Title 47Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-73

§210 Franks and passes; free service to governmental agencies in connection with national defense

Title 47 › Chapter CHAPTER 5— - WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - COMMON CARRIERS › Part Part I— - Common Carrier Regulation › § 210

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Common carriers may give or swap free travel privileges (franks or passes) for use by their officers, agents, employees, and their families. They may also exchange these privileges with other carriers not covered by this law, but only under rules the Commission sets. The word "employees" includes furloughed, pensioned, and superannuated workers. Common carriers may also provide free service to government agencies to help prepare for the national defense, but only if they follow the rules and regulations the Commission issues.

Full Legal Text

Title 47, §210

Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Nothing in this chapter or in any other provision of law shall be construed to prohibit common carriers from issuing or giving franks to, or exchanging franks with each other for the use of, their officers, agents, employees, and their families, or, subject to such rules as the Commission may prescribe, from issuing, giving, or exchanging franks and passes to or with other common carriers not subject to the provisions of this chapter, for the use of their officers, agents, employees, and their families. The term “employees”, as used in this section, shall include furloughed, pensioned, and superannuated employees.
(b)Nothing in this chapter or in any other provision of law shall be construed to prohibit common carriers from rendering to any agency of the Government free service in connection with the preparation for the national defense: Provided, That such free service may be rendered only in accordance with such rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe therefor.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, 48 Stat. 1064, known as the Communications Act of 1934, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 609 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

1940—Act June 25, 1940, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

47 U.S.C. § 210

Title 47Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73