Evening star., 1895-06-10
e AR LY CLIO SIN G
Suggestions Of Correspondents on the ALL
Important Subject.
A Way Pointed Out by Which the De.
parfments May He Closed Legal
ly Before O'Clock.

The early closing movement is gaining
strength every day, and many merchants
Who have hitherto refrained from risking
| loss of trade by putting up their shut
| tiers in summer before the regular hour will
| join the army of progress this wear and
| give themselves and their clerks a chance
| to secure the recreation and remuneration
SO necessary to a proper attention to busi-
| ness when that important matter is in
| hand.
There is general regret that Secretary
merton found an almost forgotten statute
which prev-nts the usual hot weather clos
ing OF the government departments at
| O'Clock Saturdays, and the majority of peo-
pie in this locality devoutly believe that
the law would be decidedly more honored
by It's breach than by it's observance A
correspondent, belonging to the bigger side,
SUBMITS suggestion, by the adoption of
Whlch the departments may, he thinks be
legally closed at o'clock on SATURDAYS.
In his letter he saws:
NOT being lawyer, I suppose It is pre-
81 ;, mption Tor me to criticise the action of
me non: secretary of Agriculture, backed
up by the other wise minds that attend
those very important functipns-'cabinet
meetings'-brt / trust you will permit me
10 at least express my Interpretation of
RE act OF March 3. 1893, which reads as
follows:
That on and after July /. 1893. it shall
oe the doty OF the heads of the several
executive departments, in the interests of
the public service, to require of all clerks
and other employees, of whatever grade or
class, in their respective departments, not
less than seven hours of labor each day.
except Sundays and days declared public
MONDAYS by law or executive order; pro-
Vided that the heads of the departments
may, by special order. stating the reason,
further extend or limit the hours of serv-
ice of any clerk or employe in their de-
| partments respectively: but in case of ex-
tension it shall be without additional COM
pensation.'
Now, to take the clause which reads:
Except Sundays and days declared public
holidays by law or executive order I
should inter2ret it to mean that inasmuch
| as the executive has the power to declafe
whole day holiday he has the right to
| declare a half day a holiday; also if he
has the authority to close the departments
out of respect to the memory of de-
ceased officer of the government, he has
| the right to close them at any other time
| he deems worthy-so much for that part
| of the act. Reading down little further
| of departments may, by special order,
| stating the reason, extend or limit the
hours of service which 1 would interpret
| to mean that were it for the good of the
| service he could limit the hours of serv-
| ice Now, Mr.. Editor, 1t seems to me that
| if all the leading business men throughout
| this country find that by early closing on
| Saturdays during the heated term, it is
| profitable to them-getting better service
| from the employees therefor-the same rule
| should apply to the government service as
| WELL
| The Grocery Clerks.
The suggestion in a communication from
"a Grocery Clerk appears to be well
| worthy Of consideration in connection with
| early closing. 1t says:
while reading your most valuable paper
| paused at the column headed Early
| Closing and I saw where most of the
| business firms of The city advocated the
| early closing system, namely: Dry goods.
| shoe, furniture and jewelry stores. Now.
would it be asking too much of the pro-
| prietors of grocery stores to close at Q
| pm. on days except Saturdays,t to allow their
clerks the privilege of enjoying an evening
| on the river, especially during the months
| of July and August? The present method
| of closing at o'clock prohibits one from
| participating in any of the enjoyr1ents
| calculated to refresh or brighten the lives
of the clerks during the warm weather.
| Feeling assured that The Star will favor
| our petition and help the cause Of early
| closing