Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1907-09-14
CLERKS HOLD
OPEN MEETING
Heard Severa! Excellent Address,
es in Favor Of the Early Clos.
Ing Movement.
sEvEREL cLERGyMEN SPEAK.

The Clerks Union, No. 60, held
an open massmeeting last night in
the high school auditorium, as had
been planned but a comparatively
small audience was there. There had
been some hitch in the circulars dis
tributed, as referred to later ip the
evening by Rev. DR.. w. c.. Snod-
grass, who said that the meeting
seemed solely for the shoe clerks. A.
Sanford Coan presided and an
nounced the speakers.
Organizer Flynn, of the Interna-
tional Federation of Labor, was the
first called on for an address, and
urged early closing.
3 Rev. James H. Northrup was the
second speaker of the evening. He
stated that he felt in sympathy with
the men of long hours, not only
clerks but others. 'We are living in
too strenuous times,' said the speak
er, "and have little time for medita-
ton, culture and church" In refer
ence to the clerks duties, he told a
story of his own eXperienc not long
ago, while he was upon his vacation
camping tour. While driving home
with the tents and other utensils he
was asked to deliver some groceries
by the owner of the wagon. This he
attempted, and when he arrived at
| the back door he thought the maid
might take the burden from his arms,
but she only politely held open the
door, and the pastor tip-toed in. He
tried to unload the goods on the
table, but was politely requested to
place the goods in their respective
| places.
| He stated that the clerks barely get
| time to eat and sleep and the remain
der of twenty-four hours is spent in the
store. when morning for such long
| houred men arrives said the speaker
they repeat Bridget's prayer, oh Lord
must l get up? "
| In conclusion Mr.. Northrup stated
| that the public should show when the
stores should be closed, by patronizing
only those which treat their clerks
fairly. the latter in every case to have
the advantage of shorter hours. New
Brunswick even leads in this respect
said the pastor, land we don't usually
take any dust from them"
Rev. DR.. w. C. Snodgrass was neXt
called upon. He opened with strong
plea for the clerks stating the fact
that they must now serve from thirteer
to fifteen hours behind the counter
It's a moral question:, said DIR. Snod-
| grass, anu WOTkiIS liOuiS tti Tam :
affect the intellectual, moral and phys
ical character of a person. | am heart
lily in favor of the movement, SAID th'
pastor, "and if. l had my way about IL
they would close five nights in the
week. including Saturday and open only
Monday night" DR.. Snodgrass FAVORED
a pay day on Monday instead of Satur-
day. 1t would make quieter Sappa'l i
and a more peacable Saturday night
he argued.
The pastor stated that not only th'
stores which sell food and clothe'
should close early. but also the saloons
He said that there was no earthly righ
that a bartender might stand behlhd
bar when other stores closed. III 1
no more right for the liquor dealer u
sell drinks after dark" he said thal
it is for store to sell food after thos
hours"
Charles Beck, local weli7know
labor leader. was called upon next an
gave his ideas on early closing. III
mentioned what occurred in Philadel
phia a few years ago and what Nigh
happen here.
William Sellers, who was the las
sneaker of the evening. gave fe'
CLOSING remarks, hoping that the clerk
would win out in their struggle.