Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-06
POSTAL WORK ON SUNDAYS.
The Practice as to Special Delivery
Letters in the Large Cities, Etc.

The disposition of letters with special de-
livery stamps attached arriving at post Offices
on Sunday is matter of discretion with post
masters. The law when passed was construed
to mean that such letters should be delivered
as soon as possible. As this meant an increase
in the amount of Sunday work there was some
opposition manifested, and then Postmaster
General Villas made ruling leaving the entire
matter to the discretion of the postmasters in
the various cities. The result is that the prac-
tice varies largely. In some cities, as is the
case in this city, special delivery letters are
sent out at any hour during Sunday that they
are received at the Office In New York city
Postmaster Pearson in the exercise of his dis
cretion decided not to deliver such letters, but
the new postmaster, Mr.. Van Cott, has inaugur-
ated Sunday delivery.
THE MAJORITY OF CITIES
have either an all-day delivery of special
letters or else delivery Of all such letters re-
ceived up to certain hour. Those cities where
there is no Sunday delivery is as follows:
Chicago, Dallas, Texas, Detroit, Mich, Grand
Rapids, Mich, Louisville, KY, Los Angeles
Cal, Memphis, Tenn, Milford, Del, Philadel-
Phia, Portland, Me-, Pittsburg, Pa, Quincy,
ILL.,, st. Louis, No., and Wilmington, Del
Some time ago Assistant Postmaster Sher-
wood OF this city, sent out circulars to the first
class post offices asking what was the custom in
relation to the delivery OF these letters on Sun
day. He received replies from .ighty-four of
the principal post Offices in the country. OF
this numbec he found that thirty-six post
offices had
AN ALL DAY DELIVERY.
At the other offices there was delivery up
to certain hours and in the cities named above
there was no delivery. Capt. Sherwood states
that the lack Of uniformity in this particular
has led to considerable confusion and that he
had procured the information SO that he could
| inform those wishing to send special delivery
letters whether they could be delivered in the
cities of destination. It is thought by post
Office officials that the real advantage of the
special delivery system is to secure the delivery
OF letters after the carriers have stopped work
on week days and on Sundays where there is NO
delivery by carriers.
THE POSTMASTER GENERALS INQUIRIES
In the latter part of May Postmaster General
Wanamaker issued circular to the postmaster
of all large Offices asking them to keep a record
of the amount Of stamps, &C., sold at their of.
| fees on each Sunday in June. Also the num-
Der OF callers at the post Offices, the number
OF mails dispatched and received, the number
Of letter-carrier collections and the mail matter
collected and the number of employees on duty
Mr.. Wanamaker stated that the object of these
| inquiries was to ascertain whether it was prac.
| Sundays.
THE ANSWERS TO THESE INQUIRIES
have been received at the Post Office depart.
ment and have been collated for the consider.
alton Of the Postmaster General when he re.
| turns. 1t is not known what the result of this
inquiry has been, but it is thought probable
that in the consideration of the entire question
| of Sunday work in the post Offices some action
will be taken relative to special delivery
matter.