Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-03
THE CLERKS UNION
A Meeting in Favor of the EARLY Closing
Movement
Addresses Made by Representative
Mckaig, Rev. Mr.. Eldridge and
Others Advocating 1t.

Two hundred or more members Of the
Clerks Union, an organization having for
It's object the closing Of the stores and
shops Of the city at p. m, met at Typo
graphical Temple. q between 4th and 5th
streets, last evening and listened to ad-
dresses by Congressman VIM. M. McKaig
Of Maryland. Rev. E. o. Eldridge of the
Douglass Memorial Church and President
York and Vice President c. c. Groomes Of
the association.
In calling the meeting to order President
York stated that all great movements
should seek the Divine blessing, and he
therefore invited Rev. Mr.. Eldridge to offer
prayer.
Vice President Groomes briefly explained
the object of the association, stating that
Its members believed that the early closing
hours or the summer months could be sue
OF the year. The movement had originated
among the larger clothing establishments
out all clerks Of mercantile houses were
earnestly invited to join
PRESIDENT York then introduced Repre-
sentative McKaig of Maryland as a friend
of all who labored.
Representative Mckaig's Address.
Representative McKaig said that he had
been connected with labor organizations,
but never with one which had so inspirit-
ing an object as the Early Closing Associa-
ton. Man was but a machine, but he was
machine which should be given every
care and advantage, and every care and ad-
vantage given the employee by the en-
ployer exercised mutual benefit Urging
the Importance of organization among the
employees ne recited the success Of organi-
cation among railroad employees In securing
the passage of the safety coupling bill by
the last Congress.
zho
SAID MI Mckaig. between the employer and
employe. The employee should not permit
nimself to become a mere automaton, but
ne should be man at all times and in all
Ways. treat the employer with every con-
sideration. with all politeness, and rarely
indeed Will the employer fail to reciprocate
with consideration and politeness AS had
wen been explained by the vice president
oI me association the same volume Of sales
created between a. m. and D. m. dur
ing the summer months could be effected
during the same hours during the rest of
the year. No city in the country was so
aasorao!y situated for the purpose Of ac-
cedlng to the object of the association, as
the city OF Washington. for here there was
nothing in the world TO prevent all shop
ping to be done by p. m. every season of
tne year; There was absolutely no neces-
slty TOT holding open the shop doors a mo-
ment later than that hour, and when the
merchants Of Washington realized that
and gave to their employees shorter hours,
'iSh "oui0 the employers realize that they
would be beneflting themselves no less
than their employees.
Early closing. said Mr.. McKaig, made
oetter men and boys. women and girls of
the employees, for 1t gave them greater
time for rest, for social advantages and ali
else that made life better and sweeter. So
the Early Closing Association should grow
and he felt that it would grow In conclu-
sion, ne counseled moderation and perfect
FAIRNESS on the part of the association.
ana as result of that and earnest per-
sistent endeavor he felt assured that the
OBJECT OF the association would be secured
at no very distant day.
Rev. E. o. Eldridge's Remarks.
President York then introduced the Rev
h o. Eldridge, who, although suffering
from a severe sore throat, spoke for several
minutes In this country, he said, there
was no class distinction. Here every man
was a power in the land and If he failed
to exercise that power it was his own fault
Here, without noise, without bloodshed
would be work ed out the many social prob-
lens which were so agitating the coun tries
across the Atlantic. And that would he
Done, he believed, at no distant day. So
he believed that the Clerks Union would
In short time effect their object
On the motion of Vice President Groomes
a rising vote Of thanks was rendered Rep
fesentative Mckaig and Rev. Mr.. Eldridge
and then, after Mr.. Groomes had invited
all clerks present not members of the asso-
citation to send in their names and to en-
list all others, the meeting adjourned, after
President York had read a letter from John
r. Ellis Co., announcing their intention
to close at 6. He also stated that Wood
ward Lothrop and Mr.. I.isner OF the
Palais Royal were heartily In favor of the
movement