The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-17
Labor Joins In Fight
Against Longer Hours


Strong opposition to adding half an
hour to tbs working day Of the clerks
Of the Government departments by
every branch Of organized labor rep
resented in Washington was in evil
dence today. when pressure was
brought TO bear on the heads Of the
departments and every member Of the
lower house Of Congress
Members OF Congress today were in
receipt Of resolutions vOicinE the pro-
tests OF the Retain Clerks Association
and labor organizations led by Gov
eminent Printing Office employees
The retail clerks and merchants OF
the city viii keep Up the battle
against an order that means longer
hours for them as well as the clerks
OF the Government
The heads of the departments also
were literally sUamped today by the
resolutions which poured in on them
telling OF the hardships the extra hali
hour in the Government departments
VIII mean
But the fight viii take even more
definite shape next Monday night, when
the Central Labor Union holds its week
y meeting At that time delegates rep
resentiuS 5000 workers IL the District
OF Columbia viii ask that the Central
Labor Union as an integral part Of the
American Federation OF Labor amen
represents millions all over the country,
take q decided and on the subject
Actor Significant.
The significance. Of this action, which.
IL is said, is certain TO be taken Monday
night by organized labor Of the District,
l. realized when Il IS remembered that
for the Central Labor Union to 90 on
record as being opposed 70 longer hours
IN the department means that the en-
tire American Federation OF LABOR VIII
be behind the ramparJs OF the workers
ready 70 help Win It's powerful re-
sources OF votes
Sc 11--a -a~~H Of m
position In the House Of Representa-
IfveS 10 longer hours for the clerks, vas
made evident today when Frank Man
ming. president OF the Retail Clerks As
ISOLATION. received numerous letters from
Representatives who frankly condemn
the longer hours order and iutimaIed IN
some Instances that Congress itself
might take hand
Among some OF the workers who are
represented on the payrOilS Of the Gov
eminent departments are OrEa lied
engineers. eIectricians- nOETaDheTS.
boOkkeepers, typeWTiIeTS. clerks press
men. press feeders, booko1IdeTs. and
biudery women They already nave
started the hight, ana on MONDAY night
they VIII lead In asking that the Cen
tral Labor Union declare against the
order and ask that Il be rescinded-
Would Mean IS Hours a Week
It was pointed out By officials OF
these organizations today that the usual
working hours per week for persons
who worked al desks are from forty
two 10 forty-thTee hours These hours
hold IN the majority Of private Offices
In Washington, ana al over the c0un-
try IN many here in the District the
hours are even shorter With the *
ira half hour tackled on for the Gov
verument employees fl viii mean a
working week Of fOrty-eiSht hours, IN
less the Saturday naf holiday De
granted
The resolution sent by the retail
clerks today 10 every member Of Con
gress, and the letter Of transmission
read
Dear Sir IN accordance with inStruc-
tons OF The above organization, have
the honor 20 transmit herewith the fol
lowing resolution which IS Seif-eXplana-
tory
whereas there is under contem-
piation BY the President OF the
United States and his Cabinet q plan
10 increase the hours Of labor OF
Government clerks and employees.
and
whereas, Il the Government
changes its system and employees are
required 10 report for work before
O'Clock In the morning or work later
than $50 n the evening, Il VIII Ger
tainly mean that the ret2lt cleTzs
Will be deprived OF the o CLOCK week
~ and 5 o'clock Saturday closing
during the summer months IS wen
as the $50 opening hour IN the win
whereas it IS possible-aye, even
talked OF uOW-that. should TINS
change take place. the stores "O-iu
be compelled 10 open at I;Sg n the
morning and probably remain open
later than O'Clock IN the evening
Whereas, TO secure the shorter
hours and improved conditions We
now enjoy has taken years OF paJlent
tell. sacrifice. and devotion 20 our
cause. not to mention a large sum OF
money. therefore be It
Resolved, That We, the members O
Local No. %, Retail Clerks Inter
national Protective Association,
sueaking for and representing the
sentiment Of more than 900 clerks
employed in the retail stores selling
ladies' suits, CioakS- and millinery,
DRY goods, clothing furnishings.
hats, shoes. 1ewelry, furniture, and
Ing and athletic goods, groceries and
provisions, enter our most emphatic
protest against this movement 10 in
crease the hours of labor Of Govern
rnent clerks ard employees.
Resolved, That a special committee
OF five be appointed 10 present a copy
Of these resolutions 10 President Taft
and the members Of his Cabinet
Resolved. That a copy OF these res
OlutiOnS be also forwarded % each
member Of Congress, soliciting their
support and cooperation in carrying
out the spirit Of these resolutions
"Tnasmuch as we have been reliably
Informed that tbs question viii be def
rftelv decided at the meeting of the
President and his Cabinet on Friday.
December 16, We would respectfully re-
along the lines suggested IN this reso-
luton and use your good Offices in such