New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-07-03
THE SATURDAY HALF HOLIDAY.


LIFE INSURANCE PEOPLE DISCUSSING THE PROJECT
TOBACCO MEN IN LINE.
The unanimous approval of the Saturday half
holiday movement on the part Of the fire insurance
offices has caused the life companies to consider
seriously the project of closing at o'clock on that
day. No concerted action III the matter has
yet been TAKEN but is expected that there VIII be
in the course of few days. Several OF the largest
companies we're visited yesterday and all appeared
to be willing If 1t were made general thing and
| could be done legally. :,
THAT are heartily in favor OF such reform" y
said Robert A. Grannss. second vice-presiGent or
| the Mutual Company, is shown by our giving the
| employees every other Saturday afternoon TO them
selves allowing half to go one week, the Others the
following. and Sc on alternately We also close at
| o'clock Saturdays throughout the year. Our
reason for not closing at noon or
o'clock is, the same, as that presented
by the banks-the law of custom, which is prac-
tically the same as statutory enactment. But
pass a law making Saturday afternoon legal half
no iday and we will gladly observe IT,"
At the Offices of the Equitable Life Assurance
| Society and the New-York Company the reporter
was informed that the matter was under considera-
ton. A representative of one Of these two, said
Z" l. is simply question Of all dong II. None OF
lis want 10 take the initiative for fear OF losing
little stray business but let all agree to II and there
will be no trouble about closing at o'clock. IL
will be very easy thing 10 inform the policy
holders that premiums falling due on Saturdays
must be paid by noon, and the public generally
will soon find it out. Some Of our branch offices in
other cities close at o'clock and there is no real
reason why we cannot. The insurance companies
have always led In early closing heretofore, but
this movement has by It's phenomenal growth got
start of u.s."
The Home Company an organization well known
for its independence IN such matters has already
began closing at o'clock on Saturdays. IL might
as well make it l o'clock at once and be done
with IT.
Nearly all the large tobacco firms will close at
o'clock on Saturdays during July and August
About fifty of them have signed al agreement TO
that effect.
The Mercantile Exchange was one of the first or
CARNATIONS in the city to throw the weight of its
influence IN favor Of the movement. The Trans
portation Committee of the exchange has effected
| an arrangement with the railway lines by which
| perishabc commodities arriving in the city on
Saturday afternoon will remain in the refrigerator
| cars tor delivery ON Monday. This action dsposes
| of serious obstacle TO the early closing move
| uent IN certain branches Of business aud will
| enable thousands Of workers to enjoy much
| needed holiday who would otherwise be declared
| from that privilege.
The following importers and brokers have agreed
| to close at o'clock during July aud August Nor
| timer & Wisner. Cabat, Ray d. Co., William $.
| Tuckernan. Charles a. Hanson, Richard Lacy, G..
| f. Morris d Son, Robert p Wilson, X. +. Brown,
| Gerard g. Gerard, Paterson, Downing d Co...
| New-York Shclac Company, Williams. Rogers Il
| Pyatt and Charles i. Dufie.
| The trustees of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
| and the American Museum of Natural History, IN
view of the fact that the merchants ofsNew York
have given their employees during the summtr a half
| holiday on Saturday, have decided to keep the
museums open until Z p. m. on that day during the
| months of July and August in order that those
benefited by the halfholiday, may, if they desire.
have an opportunity of visiting the museums