Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-08-02
HOW WOULD IT Do,
TO TRY SATURDAY HALF HOLIDAYS IN LOCAL
BUSINESS OIROLES.
It Works Successfully in Many Other Gfss-Whai
Business Men Have TO Say About tho
Maiter-Divrse Views

manity, in all the departments Of bust
ness, trade and labor, and little NOR,
recreation and rest.
The mad rush of the American ate
the Almighty dollar has been described
many a time and oft, In song and
story, and outside the limits o
this fair land OF ours. and especially
within the precincts of the effete mon
arches and amateur republics OF the
old world, ten minutes for refreshment:
and sixteen hours for work seems to be
regarded as the code, canon and general
motto of the United States, and all the
citizens thereof. But by insensible de,
grees a change is coming over the spirit
Of our dream, and lessened hours oil
labor, for business man, manufacturer,
clerk, artisan and'laborer, are becoming
more and more the faShi on.
We can ali remember when ten and
even eleven hours day was exacted OF
the workingman, when the clerk was
kept in the store from early in the
morning uutil late at night, with more
or less extended visits to the same es-
adjustments on Sunday to straighten
up the stock; when vacations were TAX
en- at the expense of the individual,
and when proprietors of all sorts OF es-
Establishments worked early and late,
six days q week. The condition OF
things now is very different. Many
manufacturing concerns close down for
several weeks during the summer, and
dismiss their employees with little more
than a half days work on Saturdays;
most retail establishments close up at
six o'clock every evening during about
half the year, and not few wholesale
houses have curtailed business hours
considerably. 1t is, In addition, gen.
eral and Christian custom TO allow
clerks and employees one or two weeks
vacation every year, while their salar-
les 90 on just as though they were
present, and with all this the same or a
much greater volume Of business is
done, customers are accommodated
quite as well, about as much money Is
made, and everybody is happier and
more contented.
A very large number of manufac-
turers and merchants in other cries
have been accustomed, OF late years, to
close their places of business at noon or
at l o'clock D. m. on Saturdays, and the
question was asked the REGISTER, day
Or TWO ago: 'Could not Wheeling bust
ness men inaugurate this custom In this
city to advantage"
With view 70 gaining information
upon the subject a reporter yesterday
addressed questions bearing upon the
point at issue to a number OF business
men, with the following result:
Mr.. Hullihan Quarter, President OF
the Chamber of Commerce, said:
"As far as the months of June and
July are concerned, l think the dry
goods jobbing trade could close up
at one o'clock in the afternoon. but we
could not spare the time so VOL during
the month of August, for then the
rush for fall goods commences. l think
the thing could be brought about, II the
proper effort was made, and hcve no
doubt Of its advantages. A man does
his work better If there is chance TO
work little recreation into life, and
there is no good reason to doubt but
that about the same volume Of business
would be done. In other cities the
Saturday half holiday is almost univer-
sal, especially during the summer, and
il works to the complete satisfaction OF
all. Not only do manufacturers and
iobbers close, but many retailers as
well. and l don't see why the same
thing would not be possible here"
Another business man, who did not
care to be quoted, said:
81 see no good reason why the job
beers. at least, should not close at noon
Saturday, or soon after that hour. The
Vance Shoe Company have been follow
ing that policy for some time to adyan-
tage. and the manufacturing establish
ments who shut down early on Satur-
day lose nothing by it. am in favor
of lessening the hours Of work wherever
practicable"
A member of the firm OF M. Reilly
said:
81 would like to see the change made,
wherever possible. but don't see how
the wholesale grOcers could close very
much earlier than at present. We nave
to rush as it is to make our orders. and
then our statesmen come in on Satur'
DAYS. and their prices have to be re-
vised. accounts made out, ETC., whicf
would require the presence OF consld
cradle portion Of our force"
II. P. McGregor said:
ST think the change would be good
one. and if everybody would go into 1t
It would be a good thing all around.
hardly see. however, how book-keepers
and some Of the men in other depart
ments. could stop. Our men quit at nv
o'clock now. and we give vacations ever.
wear. something which OF late years ha
been Of much benefit to everyone. Their
is no doubt but that there is too nue.
work and not enough play in this world
and we would all be the gamers by NOR
rest and recreation"
c. II. Copp said: -
81 think the thing could be arranged
especially during the summer months
It is the dull season then, and the tim
could very we'll be spared. There is n
doubt of the beneficial results OF tn
change"
William A. Wilson said:
"A half holiday on Saturday is a goo
thing, and as everything you advocst
is successful, hope you will urge it I
finish. We all work too much.
want half-holiday on Saturday so
can take my family out into the eouI
try. A drive anywhere outside OF thi
city five or six miles this season OF tn
wear cannot be excelled for beauty an
picturesqueuess and enjoyment any
where in the United States. Men !
business need the rest as well as work
men. Let us have it.
Julius Pollock said:
~ believe it would be good thing
T want all the rest can get. Count u