§  213.7   Policies.

   (a) Calls and messages in each precedence classification above shall
   have no precedence over others within the same classification, except
   where, within the same classification, they cannot be handled
   simultaneously. Then, they shall be handled in the order of their
   receipt.

   (b) Individuals whose requirements qualify them to use the precedence
   system share the responsibility for insuring its effectiveness. Users
   must familiarize themselves with the purposes to be served by the use
   of each precedence designator. It must be remembered that the entire
   system will operate successfully only if the use of the precedence
   designator is limited strictly to the intended purposes. Each user must
   consider whether each message or call requires any special precedence
   and exercise care not to specify a higher precedence than circumstances
   require.

   (c) For public correspondence message services, the domestic or
   international precedence designators shall be shown in full by the
   sender as the first word preceding the name of the addressee.

   (d) For public correspondence call services, the user should first
   attempt to complete the call in the normal manner. In the event the
   user is unable to complete the call and the type of communication falls
   within one of the precedence categories listed herein the call should
   be filed with an operator for completion and the user must specify the
   required precedence handling by stating that this is a Flash Emergency,
   Immediate Emergency, or Priority Emergency call, whichever the case may
   be.

   (e) Any apparent misuse of precedence indicators by non-Federal
   Government activities brought to the attention of the communication
   common carriers shall be referred to the FCC on and after-the-fact
   basis.

   (f) Any apparent misuse by Federal Government activities brought to the
   attention of the communication common carriers shall be referred to the
   Executive Agent, National Communications System. The Executive Agent
   will refer any matter which cannot be resolved with the cognizant
   Government activity to the National Security Council, for decision.

   (g) It is essential to provide public message and call capability for
   the transmission of military, governmental, and essential
   non-Government precedence messages and calls. Private line services for
   military, governmental, and other essential users are protected under a
   Priority System for Intercity Private Line Services promulgated by the
   FCC (FCC Order 67–51) and the National Security Council. However,
   during national emergencies, military, governmental, and other
   essential users will have additional requirements for prompt completion
   of precedence traffic over public correspondence communication common
   carrier facilities. Therefore, notwithstanding the provisions of the
   above-described Priority System for Intercity Private Line Services,
   communication common carriers shall have available a minimum number of
   public correspondence circuits at all times so as to provide for the
   transmission of precedence type messages and calls. Normally, the
   communication common carriers shall use their judgment in determining
   this number of circuits required for public correspondence precedence
   traffic. However, the authority is reserved to the National Security
   Council or the Federal Communications Commission, as appropriate to the
   time and situation, to revise the decisions of the carriers respecting
   the allocation of circuits, and to resolve any questions which are
   referred to them by the carriers or the users.