Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-07-23

previous notice to leave In neither given
nor required"
This, Of course, IN direct violation Of
that principle OF common law which
prevails 10 England and America By
which no man can sign away the rights
conferred upon him by the State. But,
as a man suffering under the the gross
est tyranny once said to lady who
pointed out to him that no employer
could enforce the contract be had been
| compelled 20 sign: What cud be the
use, Teddy? No other man'ud tex me ef
1 didn't keep my word with i'm" Such
contracts are therefore de facto binding.
The rules mention but four causes for
dismissal, presumably instant. OF these
three are for immoral conduct, such as
profanity, drunkenness, and uDderval-
uation Of goods, which would be prac-
tical theft. The fourth reads:
mo one ID enter or leave business by any
other than the appointed doors under pain
OF dismissal
On reflection this may not DO severe
when the necessity for systematic sur
veillance is taken into consideration,
but il can hardly be more serious than
''lighting paper, F" taking matches into
the shop, or leaving them scattered
about, yet these offenses may be atoned
for by the payment Of shilling fine.
The most minute directions are given
concerning dress, as follows:
Each young lady in the shop TO be dress
ed IN plain, black stun dress, made TO clear
the ground. plain linen sailor collar and
cuffs. No col0rs and only black lewelry.
Fine FOR nOn.Obserbaucp Cd
Young ladies in showrOoms 70 be dress
ed IN black silk dresses, plain white collars
and cuis No colOrs, only black 1eWelry.
Fine for non-observance, Sd.
The regulations for mems dress are
equally stringent. They must wear:
BLACK coats and waistcoats, light (not
heavyl boots, and dark ties"
Many firms provide black silk dresses
for those whom they wish to wear
them, but these do not become the prop
erty OF the employee, and the Wearer Is
often obliged to change her gown before
entering the dining room. Woe betide
the unfortunate to whom an accident
such as a spot or tear chances 10 hap
penl In case Of q change OF assistants
the new apprentice is chosen with ref
srence TO the gown, one who can wear
Whiteley makes no proviso concern
ing aprons, but some shopkeepers not
only prescribe them, bnt insist upon a
certain pattern, which resembles those
supplied TO the little cash girls in some
New York stores.
-
Whiteley's regulations for the trans
action of business may be Ineligible to
those for whom they were compiled; but
TO the outsider and one, moreover, not
qualified by the very superior training
given In the English board schools, they
seem so complicated as to be Wel-nigh
unfathOmable. One cannot help pic
turing q tlmid little English girl thrust
into the hurry. burly OF such great es-
tabliShment and longing with all Der
soul 10 do her best, becoming hopeless
] : muddled by the minute directions.
Sixpences and shillings innumerable
may be deducted from her wages be-
cause she may not have told customers
1.-The price distinctly" or neglected to
"call the shoDWalker TO conduct a Gus
toner from one part Of the shop to an
other" or may have anticipated the
coin and marked it down on the blank"
before 1t was really In her possession.
Some Of the regulations concerning dis
clpline might be- adopted with advantage
In this country, such as:
''No toilet business, nail cleaning, SC,
to be done in shop or show rooms.
"GOssipiug, lettering, standing close to-
gether, or making unnecessary noise
strictly prohibited.
ANY one disengaged is expected TO rem
dar neeiatauea IN any Oue serving
Fine for non-abserVance Of each Of
these rules, Cd"
But though one can give unqualified
approval 70 the above, II seems hard
that a girl should be fined an equal
amount II she names the price Of any
thing above a shilling in pence, as, for
instance, fourteen pence" instead Of
zone aud twopence half-penny," and
those familiar with the tyranny Of petty
authority will wonder how mucb sin
science TO a shOpwalker or buyer" can
be purchased for siXpence.
For certain misdemeanors the threat
IS made that they Twill be mentioned
In reference" and, as even sculIery
maid finds II difficult 70 get situation
without years character" this
threat must be highly efficacious.
No discount is allowed toSemployes
purchasing goods in the establishment.
They must pay the price marked,
which, according to the testimony Of a
FREQUENT customer, Is not that OF q bar
gain counter, but fully up to the aver
age charged by other houses. Purchases
must also be made latter tea time or
before 10 a. IN. on Saturdays"
h,nA ~
any bad money taken, and sin case OF
any dispute as to the amount Of money
received from or given to customer,
the assistant must pay one-half the
amount disputed" Here Is another
pleasant rule:
"All employees are liable 10 be searched
any and every time on leaving the prem
ises, the doorkeeper having full authority
for that purpose"
Vhlteley has the reputation Of pro-
viding comfortably for his assistants,
AS much cannot be said for all large
shoDkeepers, as the pale aud pinched
faces of many behind the counters
plainly testify. A much-needed act of
Parliament has recently been passed
limiting the working hours to seventy
four In the week, Including the time al
lowed for meals. As care has been
taken TO define those for whose
benefit such provision is made
that it "shall include retail and whole
sale shops, markets, stalls, and ware
houses in which assistants are employ
"a for hire" IL Is probable that
evasion OF the regulation will be
difficult. Those most likely not to re-
ceiye benefit from It will be apprentices
10 milliners and dressmskers. For years
Government Inspectors have, In the
words Of snch employers, been sharp