Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-22
CITY AND DISTRICT.
THE EARLY.CLOSING MOVEMENT.
The Objects Of the Clerks Assembly
Explained ut u Public Meeting.

THE AGITATION FOR A SIX-o'CIoCK CLOSING
HOUR TO BE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES WHO
WANT PROTECTION FROM THEIR RIVALS
THE CLERKS AND THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
About seventy-ive clerks, belonging princi-
pally In East Washington, assembled at Wash
ington hail. corner Pennsyivania avenue and
ID street southeast, last evening at the call OF
Inc Clerks assembly, X. Of L. Mr.. w. 81.
Daniel presided, and ]. w. Blakelock per.
| formed the duties Of secretary. The chairman,
| IN explaining the object of the meeting, said
Inc ultimate object Of the association was to
secure the early closing of the stores of Wash
1ngton. In large measure it had already sue
| ceeded. Seven o'clock had already been fixed
as the hour for closing in a great many stores.
atnough 1t IL intended ultimately to have
| at the meeting of the employers some time
ago, not TO be too precipftate, but to fix the
h hour AZ seven o'clock and see how 1t works, had
oeen followed. In the meantime the move
ment to induce shoppers to do no Shopping
after six o'clock is active. The public gener,
| ISOLATION are just and are in the Interests of
good morals, intended to afford clerks some
LILLE time tor rest and recreation, Of which
tney nave heretofore been deprived. Some OF
Inc employers who were at first inclined to
ANTAGoNIzE THE MOVEMENT,
| but were compelled to close at seven by the
power Of public opinion are now the most stead
fast adherents of the movement for their own
protection as well as for that Of the clerks. The
association he said is now practically allied with
| the knights of Labor. Application to join has
been made, and the charter will be issued in a
few days. He claimed that the advantages to
be derived from a connection with the Knights
OF Labor are apparent. AS individuals they
could DO nothing. Clerks are all wage workers.
because they wear their store clothes every
DAY and the labOring men their overalls makes
no material difference between them. It is not
,hCenued IN any way to antagonize the en-
ployes.
A MERCHANT TALKS.
MI. 8. Beeber, of East Washington, arose to
make few remarks.
"Are you a clerk?" asked the chairman.
mo, sir" was the reply, II am a clothing
merchant, but / am heartily in favor of the
early closing movement and am willing to do
al In my power TO help it." loud applause
meeting for the purpose of learning how it was
Intended TO compel merchants to close their
STORES at certain hour: He intended closing
ISOLATION, but If there We're not some means de-
vised for inducing his rivals to close he would
nave no to eventually keep open in self defense
lie mad seen clothing houses on 7th street only
lew nights ago open until 10 o'clock. He sug-
gested sending committees to all the business
houses.
The chairman stated, in reply, thateyerv first
class clothing house on 7th street closes at
O'Clock. Two or three small stores that closed
cause of the spring trade. He was confident
mat Tor every fifty cents made after O'clock
20 Is lost before that hour. There is no boycott
ting In 1t, but the public sympathize with the
clerks and naturally patronize the houses favor
ing Inc movement in preference to those that
oppose it. man can't be compelled to close.
he can keep open as late as he chooses At no
distant day, however, the organization will be
SO complete and powerful that there will be
recognized regular hours for shopping.
Mr.. j. I. d. Pyles an east Washington grocer.
SAID he had been closing at o'clock since the
lst OF April. The majority OF his neighbors
closed at first, but now they nearly all keep
open. He wanted to know ii there was any
hope OF u remedy.
MIR. u. w. Spier then took the floor and ex-
planned In detail The reasons for ailying the
association with the knights OF Labor and the
advantages which he claimed would be secured
therefrOm.