The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-13
CLERKS DIVIDED
OVER NEW RULES
ON WORK HOURS
Advocates of the Half
Past Eight Idea Send
in Most Coupons.
OPPOSED BY CHIEFS
Officers Believe Earlier Time
Would Not Benefit the
Government.
OPPOSED BY CHIEFS

The weight of sentiment. as expressed
in coupons thus far sent to the 4:30
O'Clock Editor of The Times, favors a
change in the hours of labor for en-
ployes in the Government service. Near
ly so per cent of the numerous replies
ask that the work day begin at $50
o'clock and end at o'clock, instead Of
a. m. to 1880 D. m, as at present de-
creed under the ukase of the President
and his Cabinet
Such expression OF opinion may not
fairly represent the majority views of
the Government clerks, however. as II
is to be anticipated that those favoring
change in the existing arrangement
would naturally be the more eager to
indicate that desire than those who
prefer the condition that is.
This preponderance of views from one
side is unlikely to continue. The fear
that the return will be accepted as the
exact register of public opinion. will
induce those who would avoid a change
60 record their opinion. and the swing
of the pendulum Will balance the ac-
count. until the returns OF the coupons
express public opinion.
Those who are in favor OF the to 4:30
time are urged to send in their vote as
well as others. so that the real feeling
of the entire Government working force
may be ascertained-
Feeling the Effect.
Many clerks who have heretofore been
indifferent as to which end OF the day
the extra half hour is tackled on. are
now beginning to be conscious of the
fact that IL does make little difference
after all Music lovers will find them
selves deprived of many a treat in
H,f
ence 10 assemble as late as AS O'Clock.
which would have to be the hour If a
change took place in these entertain
nnents. Those who live In the country,
after missing their regular afternoon
trains for several days, have begun TO
realize that hanging about a station in
the afternoon instead Of speeding away
home TO dinner. is not the pleasant
pastime il appears. Many Of these have
expressed their desire for S:3O and the
coupon editor finds his time pretty well
occupied.
Some Indifferent.
The ready response to the invitation
offered to vote for an hour at least
shows the attitude of a large number of
clerks and their ready desire to take
advantage OF any means to have the
hour changed Those who are content
TO WOrk until f-60 without n murmuT are
undoubtedly clerks to whom the after
noon hour is of no real consequence. and
who do not care which way IT goes so
long as they are compelled to work the
extra time anyhow.
Coupons for the voting will be found
on the third page OF The Times and
the wish OF every reader of the paper,
whether Government employe or not. is
given opportunity TO express plainly and
effectively mis- preference.
Members OF the o clock party are now
having their inning at the State, War
and Navy Departments. The $3.50 crowd
had the first say. and the protests ii
called forth from clerks who cherish the
morning nap have almost silenced the
cIamor for the change.
Want No Change.
we cannot get our mail in time tC
begin work at $50 O'Clock" is the re-
monstrance which comes from chiefs in
the War Department. The first hall
hour would be wasted"
Persons who live in the suburbs arc
leading the movement for early open
ing said y. F. Peters. chief clerk al
the Navy Department For every en-
ploye living in the suburbs there are
ten clerks who live we'll within the city
limits. and ! do not think the wishes
OF the minority should be respected "a
the Inconvenience OF the majority. A
canvass Of the department will show
that the sentiment OF employees is over
whelmingiy in favor OF O'Clock open
ing"
The same sentiment is expressed by
chiefs In the State Department Peti-
tions for earlier opening have been pre-
pared in the State, War. and Navy De-
partments- The opponents OF change
in the opening hour are also preparing
petitions. Heads of departments have
not expressed any opinion on the sub
ject, and the wish of the majority Will
probably be respected In all the depart
ments.