The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1899-04-01
4 Protest :a::.;nSt Violating the
Agreement to Close Business
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I3ouScs at E:cnSonn bile iIupurs.
Editor Labor World: Will you kindly
permit the undersigned. representing an
association Of about 300 sales people, to
earnestly protest against I violation Of
The agreement among the representative
business houses in the city to close at
reasonable hours-cnabilng propriators
and their sales people to have their cven-
inSs for that rest and recreation essential
to those who desire to give the best OF
service during fair working hours? Eight
years ago the merchants of the city
signed an aSreemcnt-the dry goods
stores to close at 6 p. m., Saturday even
stores to close at $3.50 n. n., Monday ana
Saturday evenings excepted. Large
stores in other lines were willing and did
adopt one COURSE or the other.
Last Sunday mornings News Tribune
contained the announcement from one Of
The business houses that until further no.
tica it would remain open evenings for
tho accommodation Of woodsmen. 1t is
but reasonable 10 regard this as the en-
trrinG wedge for Il return TO the old days
Of late closing. At any rate ii is 4 VIOLA
ton Of the agreement at this time, and if
one house violates it another can, it SO
disposed, and justice to each house con-
crrned demands its observance 10y all con.
ccrneu.
Duluth is no longer 4 village where
al the men in the town meet Al the
country store al night to talk politics and
swap horses and yarns. Duluth mer-.
chants having city places Of business and
city stocks should, and the majority or
them want to. do business after approved
city methods. The leading business
houses in other cities close At and $50
p. M. and in many places some lines Of
business close much earlier. Let al who
take pride in the progress of the city use
their best efforts against the return to
the old time policy Of and 10 o'clock
But what must be deemed OF far
WriEhtier consideration than the me-" scr
Of pride in the city is the injustice II will
work TO the large. number employed IN
ready enough In these stores are near
300 sales people, perhaps 100 of them
women and girls. There are hundreds or
NO,la-hcarteu women in this city VINO APP
stand on the fee 3 to 10 hours day. TAX
ing care OF stock and whiting on cust""
mcrs Are not these hours sufficient?
VIVA not adding three or four more each
day tr too much Of Il burden to bear
without soon causing l breakdown in
health? \ few hours at home or other
wise cnjoyahly spent in the evening IS
necessary it, tho brighter life OF anyone.
and if of advantage to employers, as it
makes their help moro alert and capable
Of brtter service during the day.
The writer has made inquiries and IS
pleased to know thar the rroprirtors or
Ill other stores than the one making the
announcement are opposed to this late
closing. They want the agreement Whlch
has been enforced 10 be COM inuHu ana rig
j;llv adhered to. they believe in justice
10 themselves. and in Justice to those
mat serve them. !, few hours be kept
free from the care and toll Of business.
The public are not rrlilonlnS Tor IN"
stores to e,e kept open in the evenings all
hnllscs do not want to do SO, the 800
sales people will have great injustice done
them Ivy such a movement: must 1t then
~. done to satisfy the caprice or Whm
of on, house? Sometimes when matter
is fairly presented the better nature IS
stirred, aud iuslic, has lis willing way.
\ RETAIL CLERK.