Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-07-11
BOYCOTT WILL Be USED
Against Merchants Who Keep Open
After Closing Hour.
UNION MEN TO AID CLERKS
viii Not Psironize Business Houses That
Disregard Wishes Of Retail Clerks
Association.

Disregard Wishes OF Retail Clerks
Association.
| The Martinsburg lodge OF the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, branch of
| the most powerful body of organized
workmen in the world, has taken up
| the early closing fight in behalf of the
Retail Clerks association. When
the movement was first inaugurated
here about June |. all the merchants
in the downtown business district n
greed to close their places at an early
hour. Very shortly afterward some Of
them violated the agreement and kept
their places open after the hour for
closing This caused others to keen
open as matter of protection to them
selves.
Then the movement spread. until
there are number OF merchants open
until a late hour every evening, in vio-
lation of TIE agreement they signed.
This condition has been brought to
the members Of the local labor unions,
and the result is a threatened boycott
upon all merchants who keep open
after the hour greed upon. The mem.
bers Of the Federation declare their
intention Of not patronizing any
business house that does not complv
with the REQUESTS of the clerks, and
at recent meeting the following
resolutions were unanimously adopted !:
RESOLUTIONS.
Martinsburg, w. Va. July Z, 1908.
WHEREAS, At regular meeting
of the Federation of Labor lodge No.
$500, of Martinsburg, W. Va. COM
munication was received and read II ON
the Retail Clerk Association, Of
Martinsburg, urging the Federation of
Labor to unite with them in their
efforts TO make the early closing
movement general one; and also
requesting the Federation of Labor to
place itself upon record by expressing
publicly its feelings regarding the plan
The communication, together with
the movement. was generally discuss
ed, and the Federation OF Labor was
unanimous in its expression of svmpa-
thy with the cause. A committee was
appointed to draft resolutions and pre-
sent the same to the Lodge. which
adopted as follows:
Resolved, That the Federation of
Labor. Lodge No. S532. of Martins
burg, w. Va, shall unite and coop
crate with the Retail Clerks Associa-
ton, of Martinsburg, in its efforts to
make the early closing of business
places in Martinsburg, general and
permanent movement, and that its
sympathy Is hereby extended. with the
hope that their efforts will ultimately
meet with success. and further.
Resolved That the Federation of
Labor does hereby heartily approve of
the plan adopted bv the Retail Clerk s
Association. and requests and urges
each and every member to avoid pat
ronizing any and all business places
that are kept open after the time fixed
by said Association, and also that each
member shall further use his influence
to takethe patronage. SO far as he can,
from those who keep open. and lend
his aid, assistance and patronage to
those who close and further
Resolved, That this organization
immediately establish united and
active cooperation with the Retail
Clerk Association, in order to make
the early closing of all business places
a permanent movement: believing that
in Union there is strength and that
bv tile use of fairand proper means all
the proprietors OF business places will
eventually close; and also in order
that trade relation may be established
only with such business men who are
in sympathy with the plan Of closing
early. And further
Resolved That this organization,
in order to place itself upon record,
hereby directs that these resolutions
be spread upon its minutes, that a
copy be sent to the Retail Clerk 8
Association. and also that the same be
published in the city papers.
! Il. s. Gettle. (Seal)
President.
j. b. Heck. (Seal)