The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-09-25

The early closing movement fathered
by the Retail Clerks union was dis
cussed at yesterdays regular meeting
Of the Ohio Valley Trades Assembly,
which adopted resolutions in Its favor
after a protracted debate. In the abb
sence Of the president the chair was
occupied by Mr.. A. L. Bauer.
N. Wycoff. OF typographical Union
No. 70. was obligated. with G. A. Beall.
vice George S. Mooney, resigned, from
local No. 3, Carpenters union.
The I. L. Lewis investigation case de-
veloped nothing, but is expected to at
the next meeting, when the committee
will report.
No report was presented from the
Labor day committee, and progress was
reported In the early closing movement
pushed by the Retail Clerks union.
Delegate Fisher offered motion to
take from the table a resolution pre-
scented previously regarding municipal
legislation, but his motion was defeated
by one vote.
There was some discussion about a
Sunday closing movement for butcher
and grocery stores, following the re-
quest Of the Retail Clerks union to Bet
the assistance of the Butchers union in
its behalf. A retail clerk stated that
his union hoped to eventually bring
about a moral influence that would
close butcher shops and groceries on
Sunday. The Sunday closing and early
week day closing movements were
law Of the clerks international union,
and not originated by the Wheeling
local, said apother. They did not be-
lleve 1t possible to close the drug stores,
and didn't intend to work hardships to
anybody, but were going about their
work smoothly and without coercion.
The discussion led to a wide range,
during which stogle maker said he
feared the clerks were going too far in
attempting to close the stores, so far
as the proprietor was concerned. Some
stores did their principal business
through the day, the smaller stores in
the evening, and II the clerks were not
compelled to work in the evening, the
speaker saw no reason why the proprle-
tor couldn't stay in his store and sell
If he desired. The closing of the stores
after the clerks were released was
matter for the proprIetors to unite on.
Another delegate cited the interna-
tlonal law, and said the assembly could
only endorse and not interfere with this
feature OF local union.
In reply a clerk stated that the cloth
ing stores have been closing at 8 p. m.
for two or three years, and the mer-
chants, with the exception of a few
who wanted to reap the benefit of a
struggling trade, were in favor OF the
o'clock closing. Drug stores were con-
sldered necessity on Sundays.
Then delegate remarked that "As
German am in favor of personal
liberty" and he opposed a general clos
ing of certain kind of places on Sun
days. while he was in favor of the
o'clock closing on week days. Another
delegate opposed the closing of stores
handling perlshable goods. such as
meat and milk. on Sundays during the
summer months. On the other hand,
there was sentiment expressed by
other delegates that the assembly
couldn't help but take up the clerks
burden. The clerks denied having at
tempted to close the groceries and meat
shops.
Finally the resolution pledging the
assembly's support to the clerks move
ment was passed by vote of 20 toS