The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-10-12

The clerks, pollers and employees Of
our American stores and busincss-houses
often complain Of the strict rules which
bind them and the small pay which they
receive. Yet II they compared their
work and pay with that Of English clerks
Of the same grade, they would find that
they are treated well.
The house Of Hodge, Brown a Co., Of
London, Is engaged In the retail dry
goods business, and It's sales amount
yearly to more than half million
pounds sterling. Among its customers
/ Il numbers many ofthe nobility. II en-
ploys nearly four hundred clerks. This
small army Of servants Is governed by
strict rules and regulations, and each
one Is accountable to the firm, not only
for his time during the entire "a hours,
but for the money which he receives as
pay for his services. To obtain posi-
ton in this house, one must produce a
certificate OF good character from his
last employer, or from the Squire Of his
district, must be unmarried, and not adj
dicted to the use Of intoxicating liquor,
with the exception Of beer. Complying
with these requirements, one may be
Siiiptvl Set ~ y >ttuil VI ~ rAidii"s-" I''
week, or about four dollars and quar-
ter, and assigned to the dusting-squad.
For each one a cot bed Is supplied In a
large dormtory over the salesroom
Of the store, and all are boarded and
lodged by their employers, at an
expense of 10 shillings per week, which
sum Is deducted each Saturday night
from their salary. The rooms which
they occupy are airy and comfortable,
and good food is furnished, well cooked
and well served. The business hours
are from 6 in the morning 10 6 at night
for the busting squad, and from in the
morning until & at night for the other
clerks, with 40 minutes out for break
fast and dinner. The time from tea till
III o'clock p. m, may be devoted to
recreation, but no one Is allowed 10 Wis
il gambling-houses, or other disreputa-
BILE places. At IL, the doors are closed,
and all late corners are admitted by the
night aniter, who takes their names
and reports them at the Office the next
morning. Each report Of this kind re-
duces the salary OF the clerk one six
pence. The entire body of clerks are
required to dress in black, and to be
always neat. They must also have two
pairs Of boots, so that they may con-
stantly wear a pair that i in proper or
der and well blacked. After six months
Of faithful duty upon the busting squad,
: good man is promoted to the regular
squad. His work then begins at : in
stead Of in the morning, and his pay
is increased to 20 shillings per week, ~
about five dollars in our money. While
! on duty in the store, each man must
> stand erect, never leaning upon the
> counter or the shelves, and upon no ac
count sitting down. No laughing o.
, loud talking is PERMITTED, no splitting
; upon the floor, and all must oh
serve the same elegance of manner
that would be expected in a drawing
: room. These rules are not pleasant
, weather laws, but must be observed
whether the store is full Of customers o.
not When sale Is made. a ticket o
G the goods Is filled cut by the salesman
who then signs and hands il TO his RICH
hand neighbor. 1t il the latter's dut.
d to verify IL and sign it, This Is theI
q carried by ticket-boys to the desk, wher
. il Is placed upon file. In case Of an.
!. mistake in the bill, the drawer and en-
. dorser are both held liable, and any de
= ficiency must be made up from thei
: pockets. AT the end Of each week, an,
i. after the doors Of the salesroom ar
q closed for the night, the clerks form i
r long likes and march through the office
1 receiving each his pay and a slip stating
d how much, If any, is deducted, and 70
what reason. From this decision Their
is no appeal. The only remedy, in cas-
clerk deems himself injured or I'm
: Justly treated, is to resign his position
: This, however,, very few do; for, othe
than being considered hard, the life Q
/ clerk with Hodge, Brown 4 Co.,
! looked upon by outsiders as yer.
pleasant and desirable thing.