The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-09-20
DEWEY
MERCHANTS
All in Favor Of Honoring
Hero But Devided as
to How.
MAJORITY FOR FRIDAY
Likely to Call Meeting and
Settle By Vote Their
Plans.

There seems to be a diversity Of opinion
among the various merchants Of the city
regarding the celebration Of Dewey's wei
come on Friday and Saturday, September
% and s0- Some are in favor Of giving
their employees a chance to see the naval
parade on Friday. others chance to see
Saturdays land parade. while some few
are generous enough to give up both Fri
day and Saturday. As yet there seems to
be little unity. but there is some talk Of
the merchants getting together and set
ting the question to suit themselves and
each other in a few days.
This morning when a News. reporter
called upon the merchants they were for
the most part inclined to follow suit or
"faH Ia line" but a further interview de-
yeloped the fact that they might easily
be divided into three classes, those In Ia
vor Of the Friday holiday. those in favor
Of the Saturday holiday and those in
favor OF giving their employees half OF
each day. but opening for business about
six o'clock Saturday night
To this latter class belong Furst Broth
ers, who advertise that they viii remain
open both Friday and Saturday until
noon, thus giving their employees chance
Mr. Furst gives the following views
The prime function Of the merchant is 10
serve the public, and as you so clearly
state. It would be real hardship on the
people to be debarred from supplying
their necessary wants in food and CLOTH
ing for period OF three days. more par
ticularly for holidays when little needs
suggest themselves for personal decora-
o1<s -T.<.
are always ready to give our employees
holiday or holidays at some personal sac
Tifice, as the Friday half holidays which
we have given our employees during the
summer months for the past three years
easily proves
Mr. bernstein has arranged for his em-
ployes royal time on Friday, having
chartered launch from which they may
with their families, which, in his opinion,
is better than the two half days.
Wolfson Bros; win probably give Friday
and possibly a half day Saturday, II rhdL
is the general sentiment.
OEBrien will probably close Friday and
Saturday, reopening at i've Saturday
Wood & Menagh. hardware. win prob
ably close Friday. opening till about ten
Saturday morning and rezopening Safnr-
day evening.
day irrespective of other merchants
J. w. Kidd. shoes, will fall into line"
but would like to close both days.
Mullins & Sons, furniture, will close
Friday and probably Saturday.. pending
the arrangements of other merchants.
Jacob Ringie & Son have SO much con-
tract work on hand they fear closing
will be out of the question.
Brush & Alberts, furniture Will follow
suit of those in their line, probably clos
Sands. shoes, will do as the Others do.
The Oceanic Tea House Is in favor OF
Saturday.
half day movement.
Perlmutter Bros. are willing to close
both days If that is what IS desired, re-
opening Saturday at six p n
T. c. Brown & Van Anglen will prob
ably close Friday and Saturday from
twelve noon to six in the evening
From the above list it would appear
that some one among the merchants must
take the lead in the matter, get the heads
of various firms together put the question
to vote and abide by the result At pres
ent the general sentiment semes to be In
favor of Friday as q holiday. with pos
sfbly Saturday afternoon The majority
of the merchants, especially in the dry
goods line, feel they cannot afford to lose
Saturday nights trade Just in the busy
rca