Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1912-08-29
MORE IMPORTANT MAIL NOT HELD UP That For Newspapers and Hotels Will Be Delivered
 on Sunday, as Here
 fore DELIVERY IS ASSURED Postmaster General Outlines Policy Regarding "Joker,' Provided By Postal Appropriations Bill.
DELIVERY IS ASSURED

 Postmaster General Hitchcock today, protesting against the provision In the new postoffice appropriation act abolishing delivery of Sunday mail, with the exception of special delivery letters, from first and secoud class pOstoffices. Late in the afternoon, the postmaster general issued sta,e- ment, cons ruing the law, ill which apparently he draws the teeth of the protested clause.
 Plans were perfected whereby the admins ration of the new laws pro- hibiting delivery of mail on Sundays will have no serious effect upon handling important mail matter. Access to Lock Boxes
 Holders of lock boxes at first and isecond-class postoffices will have access to them as usual, although no mail deliveries will be made on tie streets or at postoffice windows. Mail for hotel guests and newspapers will be delivered through their lock boxes by simple arrangement of having more mail sorted on the railway mail cars before it reaches it's destination.
 Such mail will be distributed im- mediately upon it's arrival at the of Gico If destination
 This distribution will require a minimum of Sunday work and the distribution of other mail received Sunday will be made after midnight Sunday so it may be delivered by carriers on their first tour Monday.
 Hitchcock Defines Position
 After all day conferences with ex- perts of his department Postmaster General Hitchcock tonight, issued a statement explanatory to his adminis- tration of the new law. His assur- ance is that there will be no embar rassment to the business public and that though the arrangements he outlined, urgent mail will reach it's destination promptly. Orders neces- sary to carry Mir. HitchcOcks plan into effect will be issued immediate ly.
 This mail,'' said the postmaster general specifying as to the classes rxryhi oh ,,,s1l ho h ov,t11 1oI Snn69V will include that for newspapers and hotel guests. This latter is peculiar ly transient in character and should not be delayed. This will, like he special delivery mail, will be sorted out at the offices of dispatch On the railway trains in order to simplify the work of distributing it in the postoffices on Sunday. Under the new method it's distribution to the boxes on Sunday will be hastened rather than delayed.
 Closing Not Required.
 The postmas CT generals statement says further:
 There appears to be some misap- prehension as regards the provision in the postal bill relating to the de- livery of mail on Sundays. This pro- vision does rot require the closing of postoffices on Sunday, which would be quite impossible. owing to the fact that the transit mail has 10 be sorted and also the mail collected in i cities for dispatch to other dsstina- tions. To stop the movement Of this ! mail would mean a serious closging of the whole system and consequent 1 inconvences to the public.
 "At present most of the mail re- ceived Sunday for delivery by car rier Monday morning is worked after midnight on Sunday. and therefore the law will not affect this mall It will be delivered as promptly as hitherto. Mail received up to mld- night on Saturday for lock boxes will 1 be distributed to the boxes and will be available to box holders on Sun day as usual.
 There is at present no street de- livery of mail by letter carriers on Sunday and therefore the law makes no change in that regard. In short the only mail that will be affected under a reasonable construction of the new law is that received at the postoffice on Sunday and hitherto sorted on that day. for distribution ! 'a for lock pxes' ,s 'g'' l ..As the purpose of the law, which was clearly enacted in the interest ot employes, is tp seiuee as lar n pos-