The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-17
CLERKS TO REPORT
HALF HOUR EARLIER
Continued from page one.

some difficulty in assigning clerks 10
work and of controlling their services
after hours. The discretionary powers
that have been conferred upon the men,
bers of the Cabinet to take such action
as may appear best to each individually
are thought to point to the adoption of
such rules and regulations as will enable
department To control the after-hour
work OF small sections of clerks where
whole department would not be needed.
Another reason for placing the respon-
sibility upon the heads Of departments
was TO protect the President from the
many committees that have been repre-
senting the interests that are likely 10 be
affected by longer hours These, COM
ing at time when the Chief Executive
is engaged with the affairs Of Congress,
were found to take more time and atten-
ton than he could well spare from his
| official duties Another reason was 10 re-
move the subject, with all the discussion
that must result from the plan proposed,
| from the programme Of an official meet
| ing OF the Cabinet with the executive
work of which it was likely to interfere.
HaIf-hoIiday Unchanged.
The question OF the Saturday half
question until the arrangement of the
long day In winter ana the short day in
summer was hit upon. That suggestion
/ had the effect Of making the halliday
| fall in its customary pace in summer
/ only. When this was gotten out of the
way. much OF the opposition that had
developed to the extension of hours was
withdrawn and common ground Of
working out a satisfactory plan was
reached.
The application Of the employees OF the
Government Printing ONCE for half
holiday on Saturday all the year round
was in no way connected with the closing
question, as that Office works eight hours
a day. Their movement was not a con-
| certed one as bearing in any way upon
what might or might not be done on the
question OF other departments. The COM
mittee that went TO the White House pre-
scented the petition upon considerations
that are peculiar TO the work of that
Office, and asked consideration upon its
merits.
Hand of Business Men Felt.
The employees OF that department are
controlled By the Government Printer.
and are not connected with any depart
mont. 1t was out OF consideration for
the employees in the departments that
| the sempIoyes in the Government Print
ing Office had deferred their application
Z from October. when it was prepared.
luntil now il was only by a coincidence
/ that IL was presented the day before the
closing hour question was TO come be-
/ fore the Cabinet.
/ There can be little doubt that the rep
/ resentations Of the business interests of
the city had an effect in recommending
] that the day be heightened by adding
1.-THE half-hour 20 the morning rather than
TO the afternoon.
Not only has tAe Chamber Of Commerce
urged the earlier hour or beginning work.
but delegation representing about 1000
statesmen In the city stores and consist
! ing of J. T. Tyler and NJ Leinson. OF
Saks & Co.; H. g. Goddard. OF " q.
Moses & Sons, and T. a. Perry. OF S.
| Kann Sons & Co. went yesterday TO
! the White House 20 urge the earlier hour,
/ If any was TO be added.
Local 90, OF the Retail Clerks 1nterna-
tional Protective Association. also sent
10 the White House a committee. com
I posed of .. f. Manning. J. A. 3. Riley.
and c. D. Seals. who bore a resolution
Endorsed by the Retail Merchants Asso-
citation. in which similar recommended
tons were offered.