The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1900-04-28
To THE PUBLIC

We. the retail clerks of New
Iberia, respectfully represent, that
endeavoring in a measure to follow
the example of all communities in
the United States, we are DESTROYS
of shortening the long hours Of our
labor during the hot summer
months. To this end we will cir
culate for signature among the
merchants in our town, an agree
ment to close places of business at
$50 p. IN. Saturdays excepted,
from May LIST to Sept. LIST, 1900.
Preliminary work developing
some opposition to our plans we
now solicit the cooperation and
moral support Of the public. and
hereinafter present for their con-
sideratiOn some reasons which
seem to us to justify our position.
1t is customary in all cities to
close all the more important places
Of business at hours varying from
4:3O to p. m. Saturdays except
ed, when the rule is, to close at II
noon. Our hours in New Iberia
are usually from $50 a. m. to $50
p. m. Saturdays, excepted, when
the rule is to close at 1880 p. NJ.
These fourteen to sixteen work
ing hours Of confinement tell upon
us physically as well as retarding
intellectual development, affording
but little opportunity for the rec
reation which nature demands, and
the denial of which she Furnishes.
In suffering these long hours we
are not alone. Our employers, in
order to set us a proper example
Of thrift, are compelled to equally
unhealthful and exacting hours.
Under the everlasting grind which
these methods Of business impose,
our families too are sufferers.
These facts are recognized by all
who have given thought to the
matter, and several employing
business men are entirely in sym
pathy with our aims
For those who are not, we have
no words of censure, believing that
fuller consideration will line them
up with us. We know that like
all people, our employers have
their troubles. In civilization
which fails to recognize natural
laws, all it's units are driven by
the fear of want to abnormal ac
tivity.
The manifestation of social
disease presentsitself to merchants
in a heavy expense account, a
difficulty making adequate profits
and sufficient sales, To clerks il
comes in long hours of work and
the dread Of losing theirplaces. And
| it comes in other people. Sympath-
Using with these difficulties, and
striving to tighten little our load,
we venture to say that shorter
hours while beneficial TO our en-
ployers and ourselves, will neither
lessen the volume of business not
the profit thereon. just as much
| work will be done, and by people
| in better physical condition, with
minds refreshed by needed relax
alton.
Can anyone believe that bankers
would inc lease their dividends by
working sixteen hours a days
Prior to the maturing of econo
mic reform. good people of New
iberia, our hope lies in your moral
support. Kindly let us feel thai
YOU will lend the aid Of your sym
pathy to our puny effort to lift
from our backs little OF this
| weary "burden Of the world
Make all your purchases before
s o'clock, and refrain from purchas
ing after the lour Of closing.
Mill and manufacturing mloyee'
have always been considerate i
sending the ladies of their famille
TO make purchases for them, ant
we look to them to help us by con
| tinuing to do so.
| In conclusion, we ask the var
| ous Lodges Of New Iberia to hay
| this letter read at their next NEE
inc. and pass appropriate lesOll