Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1912-09-06
REVISION OF RULING
ON SUNDAY MAILS
Mail for Newspapers and Hotels and
Daily Papers Received Sundays
Distributed to Lock Boxes.

The ruling a1ectlng the ulslTlou-
ton OF mail on Sundays has been
modified to the extent OF permitting
mail addressed to newspapers n
hotels received at first and second
class offices on Sundays and also
daily newspapers received on that
day to be distributed. The latest
order sent out by the department
fully explains the matter. as follows:
Washington, Aug. 30, 1912.
Postmaster, Brownsville,
Sir-From numerous communica-
lions received at the department
there appears to be some misappre-
hension among postmasters as re-
CARDS the provision in the post once
appropriation act for the fiscal years
ending June 30, 1913, relating 70
the delivery of mail on Sunday a.
first and second class post ofhces
concerning which certain instruc-
tons were issued by circular letter
dated the oath instant. This pro-
vision as construed by the postmas-
ter general does not require that the
Hobbies of such offices be closed on
! Sunday, but simply that the delivery
Of mail to the general public,
through the general delivery, car
rier windows and boxes be discon-
itinued. Mail received in time for
distribution into such boxes before
midnight Saturday should be distri-
buted 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 con-
struction of the new law Is that re-
ceived at the post office on Sunday
which has hitherto 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
distributed to the boxes as hitherto
In order TO give the provision as
liberal a construction as possible the
postmaster general wishes postmas-
tiers on application to have their en-
ployes sort out in emergency eases
on Sunday letters of special import
ance when the Office of origin is
known. This will supplement the
present privilege Of having such
mail delivered on Sunday by pur-
chasing a special delivery stamp
therefor.
The purpose of the law is TO re-
duce as far as practicable the amount
Of Sunday labor in post offices. How
ever, the movement Of transit mail
and the distribution of mail collect
ed in cities for dispatch to other des-
tinations must be continued. and in
order that the early delivery on
Monday may not be delayed mail re-
ceived on Sunday for delivery by
.carrier on Monday morning, as far
as practicable, should be worked
! after midnight on Sunday. Clerks
when making up direct packages
that will reach first and second class
Offices on Sunday should place let
tiers addressed to newspapers and
hotels on top of the package immed-
lately under the special delivery mat
ter, should there be any, and daily
newspapers published on Sunday
should be kept separate and distinct
from other matter and dispatched in
sacks so labeled as to show their
contents.
1t is believed that if the sugges-
lions herein are carefully observed
with reference to putting up mail
In the Office of origin a satisfactory
distribution can be made in post Of
fees on Sunday with even less work
than is now required and without
inconvenience to the public.
Respectfully,
K. T. BUSHNELL,
Acting First Assistant Postmaster
General.