The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-20
SIDE OF BARRIERS UNION.
President Langhart Discusses the
Topeka Controversy.

To the Editor of the State Journal:
The last few days a number of ar
ticles have appeared in the daily papers
concerning the controversy among the
BARRIERS over the proposed change in
the closing hours of shops, by the rad
ical opponents, in which they seek to
convey the impression, by statements
having no foundation in fact, that the
BARRIERS union, through a few of it's
members is forcing a tyrannical and
unpopular closing hour upon the shops
against the wishes of proprietors and
journeymen. And since so much mas
been said it is due the public, and
trades unions in particular, that the
BARRIERS union make a statement of its
side in the matter
This closing rule was not hastily con-
ceiVed and adopted. Considerable
painstaking inquiry was made as to its
practicability, by the journeymen, or
patrons who work at the various trades
and of railroad shop men, and IN al
most every instance, as they them
selves had secured, or were struggling
to get shorter working days, signified d
prompt Willingness to adapt themselves
to the new conditions. Before any ac-
ton was taken by the union a com
mittee visited all the union shops IN
the city and obtained a statement over
their signatures from all (except three
who desired no change from the hours
in force one of whom has since eX-
pressed a Willingness to adopt the new
rules), favOring the shortening OF the
working day. These statements, winch
are now in possession of the BARRIERS
union were read at the meeting of the
union and a compromise resolution re-
suited which provides for closing Mon
day Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at
% m. leaving Wednesday at 8 p. ny.
and Saturday at IL p. M, as under the
present system.
The meeting which adopted this clos
ing rule was attended by almost the en-
hi in each
Der voluntarily pledging himself to
abide by the decision of the vote about
to be taken. The vote taken stood in
the proportion of nine votes Tor TO Two
against the resolution.
No resolution that has become part
of the regulations of the union ever re-
ceived more united support, or has been
more beneficial both to barber and pa
tron than this one. Under the present
closing rule half the BARRIERS between
the hours of 5 and are at supper; but
under the new arrangement the BARRIERS
will not go to supper until after the
shop closes, which leaves the entire
| force during the evening in the shop to
serve patrons when they come The
| opposition does not come from patrons
| but from a few BARRIERS. Especially not
| from the organized trades, they
| claim. We have received assurances
from shop men, office men, clerks and
printers that they are ready to give
| any assistance that would shorten the
| working day.
The working days of BARRIERS under
| the present rules are 1212 hours day
| for five days and 1872 on Saturday in
winter, and 10 for five days and 16 on
Saturday in summer.
The charge that a few members of
| the union are forcing the closing rule
upon the shops is untrue, and is in
vented by one or two shops who are
| trying to stir up an opposition, and in
their desperation endeaVor to create
| undeserved sympathy by attempting
| to array the trades unions against the
BARRIERS. These same parties have led
| an opposition in every advance move
ment the union has made since its or
ganiZation, attended always by
| Fsspeeches to the galleries. threats to
Withdraw, and prophecies of disaster to
| the union
The above is the unions side of the
| matter, and we are willing to submit
| it to a decision of all fair minded per-
| sons whether we are contending for
| anything or have done anything. un-
| reasonable. NJ. LANGHART,
| President No. 25, ]. b. 1. u. of A.