Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-05
SATURDAY HALF HOLIDAYS.
Views of a New York Merchant on
the Question.

81 notice that the Saturday halliday clos
ing movement in the retail trade has not
been universally adopted among the larger
establishments In Washington, as 1t has in
other cities" remarked a New York mer-
chant to a Star reporter on a downtown
hotel, though the wholesale houses of the
capital have quite generally fallen in line
with this now popular custom.
las / was among the first to adopt this
plan In the metropolis, with some others
who early found that 1t paid all around in
the end. / made inquiries and found that
although there was a general sentiment in
favor of 1t here there were one of two
store managers who held out to the old
custom OF keeping open Saturday afternoons
and evenings as WELL and as there lacked a
unanimiiy of agreement. not all of the mer-
chants would close at noon. though some
do and have followed the rule for several
years.
I'm New~York II was the wholesalers who
first adopted the practice. and now my city
downtown on a Saturday afternoon Is al
most as deserted as on Sunday. Then one
or two of the big-up-town retail stores fol-
lowed suit, and also closed during the sum-
mer months on the remaining days In the
week at $50 In the afternoon. Then other
OF the large department uptown stores fell
into line. until now the practice Is general.
and IT is being followed by the smaller
business houses. professional offices and
business houses in general.
The purchasing public in New York has
adapted itself to the new condition perfect
ly. and instead OF there being a disposition
to return to the old custom, the new condi-
ton is being extended everywhere. It was
found that the Saturday afternoon and eve
ming trade was not lost, some OF the
local merchants with whom 1 have talked
here wodi6 seem to think. and that the gen.
eral volume OF business was transacted
Just the same as before.
Perhaps this question has not been taken
up In Washington as vigorously as IL was
In New York. and In other cities. but Ii Is
one which Is worthy of public attention, as
II Is largely matter of education on the
part OF the public to make their purchases
within prescribed hours generally agreed
upon. In fact, the strongest encouragement
to the movement where / hail from was
from the public itself. The question became
settled afirmatively.
There are so many arguments In favor
OF the early closing on Saturdays and the
shortening of the shopping day on other
days In the week during the summer
months that 1t Is needless to recount them
but the deterrent reason on the part Of
some merchants is the supposed loss of the
Saturday night trade. The support of this
trade comes from the weekly wage-earners
and not from the regular shoppers and
in Washington. the department custom, as
the latter classes would readily adapt them
selves to change In the hours. But as the
merchants OF other cities have learned. so
would those OF this city soon ascertain that
this trade. too. would quickly fall In iines
The money of this class must OF necessity
be quickly expended. and II II does not go
for necessaries on Saturday night It will
fall into the general volume OF circulation
on other days.
.-rhe order recently made BY Preaident
Roosevelt granting half-holfday on SAtur-