The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-02-19
POSTOFF|CE MAY
CLOSE ON SUNDAY
MOVEMENT ON FOOT TO PUT
LID" ON SUNDAY OPENING OF
POSToFFlCE.

In the report of the first assistant
postmaster general for the year end
ing June 30th, 1910, he has the follow
ing to say in reference to closing the
postoffices on Sunday, and giving the
clerks and carriers day of rest.
There is a very strong sentiment
throughout the country in favor OF
the discontinuanCe of the mail on
Sundays, and the sentiment should be
respected. Postal employees are en-
titled to one day of rest in seven. All
reputable commercial and industrial
establishments close on Sunday
Farther along in his report, he says:
Calling at the postoffice on SUNDAY
for mail is usually matter of habit
rather than of necessity 1t is there
fore believed that, sustained by pub
lie sentiment, the department finds
il practicable to so curtail the del1v-
ery service as to make it possible
eventually to relieve nearly all car
riers from duty on Sunday and that
with the cooperation of the postmas-
ters it is feasible to provide one day
of rest in seven for all clerks and
carriers without any increase in the
force.
If the plan of discontinuing entirely
on Sunday service by letter carriers
which is now being tried in number
of the larger cities, where the cent?
ment of the communities is strongly
in favor of Sunday closing, proves
practicable it would seem that the de-
sired result may be obtained without
legislation"
Postmaster Douglas said yesterday
when asked about this matter:
Should this meet with the approba-
ton of the patrons of this office, the
general delivery window will not be
opened on Sundays, persons having
boxes will be able to get their mail
as one clerk will be on duty all day
putting up and dispatching mail. We
have fourteen clerks employed here
al present and that would mean that
every fourteenth week one of them
would have to be on duty. This, how
ever will give the other thirteen
day of rest. AS it is now it is nearly
impossible for clerk or carrier to go
to church as our hours of opening and
closing precludes possibility OF
their doing so.'
In order to test the sentiment of the
business men of the city a representa-
tive of the Ardmoreite called upon
several of the business men of the
city yesterday and asked for an ex-
preston of sentiment in this matter.
Every one approached was heartily
in favor of the movement and so eX-
pressed themselves in unmistakable
terms.
Don Lacy of the First National
bank said: 81 am heartily in favor
of the movement, the clerks should
have one day of rest"
c. T. Barrrnger of the Ardmore
State bank said: Il most certainly
agree with the clerks, six days is
enough for any one to work in a
week."
G. w. Stuart of the Ardmore Ma
tional bank said: 81 have spent SO
many hours working for railroads and
public service corporations on Sun
days that you can say l endorse this
movement heartily"
n. H. Mccoy, secretary of the Com
mercial Club, said: You bet your life,
give the clerks a day of rest"
B. A. Simpson of Tyler & Simpson
"They are entitled to it, and I say
give it to them"
Byron Drew of the First State
bank: you cannot make It toe
strong for me, those clerks are just
as much entitled to Sundays as is the
president of the United States"
]. w. Richardson of the same insti
tuition seconded the notion
E. B. Luke said: 81 think the prop
osition a good one and believe that II
can be successfully carried out"
Judge Stillwell II. Russell said: g
believe in the observance of the Sab
bath as far as it is possible for one
to do so, and am in hearty accord
with this movement"
S. s. Tolson, register of deeds, and
James II. Mathers, county attorney
said "yes, give the clerks a day oi
rest. We can get our mail on Monday
morning and that is as soon as we
could use it anyhow"
W. F. Warren said: "Close it up
that will please me and be very pleas