Evening star., 1912-09-01
Added Instructions Issued on
Sunday Mail Delivery.
NO TROUBLE IS EXPECTED
Believed Distribution Will Be Salts
factory and With Less Work.
BUSHNELL ISSUES STATEMENT
Only Matter That Will Be Affected
by Ruling Will Be That
Received on Sabbath.

As there seems to be much misappre-
hension among postmasters as regards
the provision in the post office appropria-
ton act, relating to the delivery of mail
on Sunday at first and second class post
offices. E. T. Bushnell, Acting First As
distant Postmaster General, yesterday
afternoon supplemented the recent in
structions of Postmaster General Hitch
cock.
This provision as construed by the
Postmaster General" says Mr.. Bushnell.
docs not require that the lobbies of
such offices be closed on Sunday, but
simply that the delivery OF mail to the
general public, through the general de-
livery, carrier windows and boxes be
discontinued. Mail received in time for
distribution into such boxes before mid
night on Saturday should be distributed
to the boxes and be available to lock-
box holders on Sunday, as usual.
"The only mail that will be affected
under the Postmaster Generals construc-
ton of the new law is that received at
the post Office on Sunday which has hfth-
erto been distributed to lock boxes, and
of this mail that intended for newspapers
and for hotel guests, and also newspapers
addressed to newsdealers, should be dis
tributed to the boxes as hitherto.
Provides Liberality.
I'm order to give the provision as lib
eral a construction as possible the Post
master General wishes postmasters on
application to have their employees sort
out in emergency cases on Sunday let
tiers of special importance when the office
| of origin is known. This will supple
ment the present privilege of having
such mail delivered on Sunday by pur-
chasing a special delivery stamp there
| for
"The purpose of the law is to reduce as
| far as practicable the amount of Sunday
| labor in post offices. However, the move
ment of transit mail and the distribution
| of mail collected in cities for dispatch to
other destinations must be continued, and
| in order that the early delivery on Mon
day may not be delayed mail received on
| Sunday for delivery by carrier on Mon
/ day morning, as far as practicable. should
be worked after midnight on Sunday.
CLERKS. when making up direct pack
ages that will reach first and second class
offices on Sunday, should place letters ad-
| dressed to newspapers and hotels on top
of the package, Immediately under the
special delivery matter, should there be
any, and daily papers published on Sun
| day should be kept separate and distinct
| from other matter and dispatched in
| sacks so labeled as to show their con-
| tents.
Means Less Labor.
| 1T is believed that IL the suggestions
herein are carefully observed with refer
| ence to putting up mail in the office of
| origin a satisfactory distribution can be
made in most offices on Sunday with even
less work than is now required and with
out inconvenience to the public"
| Following Mr.. BushnelIs order. Joseph
Stewart, second assistant postmaster
general, issued instructions to railway
postal clerks that when making up di-
rect packages that will reach first and
second class post offices on Sunday. to
place letters addressed to newspapers and
hotels on top of the package, immedi-
ately under the special delivery matter
if there be any, and daily papers pub
| lished on Sunday which are to reach the
| office of address on date of publication
are to be kept separate and distinct from
| other matter and dispatched in sacks so
labeled as to show their contents.