The record-union., 1891-01-22
THE EARLY-cLos1NG MOVEMENT.


THE EARLY-CLOSING MOVEMENT.
The early-closing movement inaugu-
rated by the clerks of this city is COM
mendable. That is to say, public SYM
pathy should be with an orderly and
proper movement under the direction OF
the clerks, to secure for them reasonable
hours of relaxation fromlabor.
1t is not easy to understand why a
clerk in mercantile establishment
should be called upon to labor longer
than the worker at the forge or the bench,
and it is conceded that the longest period
of labor for them should not exceed nine
or ten hours, while q strong following in
sists that eight are enough But ii clerks,
besides working from or in the morn
ing to in the evening, are required, with
out additional compensation, to continue
on duty until or 8 or 10, it is a demand
upon physical capacity that is undue, and
is a great hardship.
The merchants of this city in the main
close their establishments to the public
at in the evening" and it is asked by the
clerks that all others do likewise except
on Saturdays and what are known as
''pay-car days. 1t is an entirely rea-
sonable request and ought to be complied
with. Employers have the right to con-
duct their business within the law as
pleases them, and without interference,
but we submit that there is something
due to sentiment and great deal more
to humanity. Both demand that the
clerk should have at least his evenings
to himself. IF he makes misuse OF his
time so much the worse for him. 1t is
not solicitude for his welfare that induces
any employer to keep his employe on
duty until p. NJ.
It is said, however, that open stores in
the evening conserve the convenience of
the public, and that it is hardship upon
the many to deprive them of the privi-
lege of evening trading. There is possi-
bly, grain of truth in that statement
pUG IL II 10 SoSSibiesl W idhO 'iAop sSSoi 90
shall be open in the evening, or if the
merchants desire so greatly to aeconmo-
date the public, let them do so at their
own proper expense by providing re-
lays, and not exact from one set of clerks
the whole tribute TO public convenience.
But observation would seem to support
the statement that, save on Saturday
nights and exceptional occasions, there
is not any considerable demand for even
ing trading. What little there is, we ap-
prehend, can, without much or even any
discomfort, accommodate itself to day
trading The clerks are satisfied TO yield
from four to five evenings in each month
to extra hours of service, so that at the
best they will not have in the aggregate
the "hours off" that are enjoyed by the
mechanic or the day laborer. Some of
our mercantile establishments are more
liberal than the Clerks Association asks
them to be, for there are Offices employ
ing several clerks that close at u, noon,
on Saturdays, the bank clerks are all re-
leased at in the afternoon of that day,
and in some of the wholesale establish
ments the clerks are given liberty at P.
NJ. on Saturdays. So that business Itself
testifies to the wisdom of giving the
clerk all possible hours for rest or recrea-
ton.
It is to be hoped that the few retail es-
adjustments which hold out against the
petition of the clerks will come over to
the great majority side, which includes
all the houses now closing at P. NJ. But
whatever the action of the merchants, let
the clerks beware of being led into the
methods some of their calling adopted in
San Francisco recently. They should
maintain the business of their cause
by firmness and proper demeanor there
must be no parading in front of the doors
of resisting tradesmen; no vituperation
and abuse; no gathering at stores to annoy
the merchant or drive business from his
establishment. The clerks are body of
intelligent, law-abiding men, and If they
keep their tempers, preserve their Dig
nifty and resort TO only legitimate appeals
they viii have the sympathy and support
of the people and the aid and counsel of
the merchants who have so long and still
adhere TO the early-closing rule. They
have found that it is economic, betters
the service of their employees, aud that it
does not diminish income.
THE NATIONAL GUARD BILL.