Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-23
WANT DAY OF REST
Letter Carriers Ask Relief
From Sunday Duty.
VIEWS OF THE POSTMASTER
Willing to Grant Request if In.
dorsed by the Patrons.
PUBLIC ENTITLED TO BE HEARD
Association of Employees Decides to
Bring Matter to Attention
Of Authorities.
VIEWS OF THE POSTMASTER
PUBLIC ENTITLED TO BE HEARD

I am in favor OF complying with the
| request OF the letter carriers for relief
| from Sunday service as far as 1t is in
keeping with the needs and sentiment
| of the community. Any reasonable re-
| quest from the patrons OF the post office
must be considered first in every in
| stance"
| Postmaster Merritt today in the fore
| going words stated his position with
reference to the recently expressed desire
| of the local letter carriers to be relieved
| from Sunday duty.
| There are no house deliveries OF mail
by letter carriers on Sundays, it was ex-
planned at the post Office today. But
there are great many people, including
| clerks in the executive departments, who
call at the windows in the 18th street
| corridor of the post Office Sundays and
| holidays for mail.
First Duty to the Public.
Mr.. Merritt in a talk with a Star re-
porter said he supposed the letter car
riers were like every other aggrega-
ton or daily toilers-they wanted, il
possible, one day of rest out Of the
seven. He also said he hoped it might
De possible to grant it to them, but he
CONSIDERED his first duty was to the
washington public. II the sentiment
IS IN favor OF continuing the Sunday
| said, he did not see how he could well
anord to go contrary to It,
i am here to serve the public needs
OF washington in postal matters" said
serve them in accordance with the law
and the regulations OF the department.
II the people of the community are in
sympathy with the desire OF the car
riers. personally. l shall be glad to
At the meeting OF their local organiza
ton at Eagles Hall Saturday evening the
carriers decided to appoint a committee
10 wait upon the postmaster to ascertain
ms Feelings in the matter Of the discon-
unuance OF Sunday deliveries by carrier.
1t takes four hours of their day of rest,
1t Is claimed. to make the morning deliv-
cry OF mail at the post ONCE Sundays.
Contention Of the Carriers,
BY some 1t is contended that there is
no real necessity for such exaction OF
them, and that those who call for their
mali sunday morning will be content to
wait until its delivery Monday. 4 the
iacts are made known to them. First
Assistant Postmaster General Charles p.
Grandfeld in his annual report. Expressed
recognition of sentiment favorable TO
the carriers in this respect And 1t is un-
derstood that the department would not
oppose the closing of all delivery win
dows. except the general delivery win
DOW, that day, ii it be found in keeping
pie. vac ~
The letter carriers, 1t is explained. are
among the hardest worked people con-
nected with the postal service When the
holiday seasons come they give their time
ana best enorts In getting to the public
Its holiday gifts and greetings. Their
work during the past holiday season, it
them before. Many of the men worked
until they, nearly dropped Of fatigue, and
that in measure voluntarily.