Evening journal., 1911-03-01
OPPOSE LIMIT ON
WORKING HOURS
Candy Company Manager Says
Bill Would Put Them
Out of Business

Discussing the bill now pending be-
fore the Legislature TO limit the hours
of working women. Z. B. Griffenbers'
secretary-treasurer OF the Reynolds
Candy Company. Of this city, said this
morning that there we're certain
phases Of the bill, which, n enacted
into law would not only work a hard
ship to the company, but would force
It to 90 out Of business. The Dill
limits the hours OF women In any
sort OF employment, to nine hours
day for women under Is years, and
ten hours a day for women over IL
years. But the clauses against which
the Reynolds company feel that they
have reasonable cause for complaint,
say that women under rs shall not
be employed after Z o'clock at night,
and women over Is shall not be en-
ployed after 10 o'clock at night.
In addition TO the store and factory
on Market street, the company has a
store next to the Avenue Theatre, and
one next to the Garrick. The COM
pany has about forty employees, four
fifths Of whom are women, and about
nuAA VI AAlr nNHANtN eAt ia Ah' ARN'RA 70
II is an employment that is especi-
ally suited TO women. because OF its
cleanliness and llghtness. and II at
tracts the better class of working
women. The women employed by the
Reynolds Company are girls from a
good class OF Wilmington families,
and live at home All Of the girls are
over 20 years with the exception of
the ice cream Mattresses The young
women over 20 years will not accept
the work as ice cream mattresses be-
cause they prefer work more suited
to their age.
The trade conditions the Reynolds
Company has to cater to are these
The bulk Of the sales are in the af-
ternoon and evening. Candy is 4
luxury. and people want Il when they
are out on the streets on pleasure
bent. they want II to take TO the the
atre. or they want candy or ice cream
after they leave the theatre. From
$50 TO IL o'clock In the evening. Is
the time when the candy stores moks
their profits. the time when the stores
are crowded. and all the available
help needed TO wait on customers
Losing the theatre trade would mean
losing half the sales.
The Reynolds Company, said Mr.
Griffenberg, estimate that the sales
( OF Saturday, including day and even
ing, are equal TO the sales Of all tn,
rest OF the week put together, an,
from 10 to IL o'clock on Saturday. 4
the best hour in the day. Aside fron
the fact that girls will not accep
positions for one night a week. Il |
nee ssary TO have girls OF experienc
TO handle the Saturday night crowds
so the girls In the factory are hire
with the previous understanding ths
they Will assist as salewomen in N
stores on Saturday nights II n
company were forced to employe do,
bic the help they need Eve days
the week, in order 10 have suficie
help for the rush hours, It would D
! them out Of business They could n
! make the candy business pay II II
bill became a law.
, Men are out OF place IN the cand
, selling positions, and the compar
could not mako the business pay
they we're forced 10 employ a set
men for tho evenings. Mr. Griffei
berg said.
The Reynolds Company looks OF
for the welfare of It's employees. The
pay fair wages and are careful
regulate the number OF hours c
work, and have fully met the REQUIRE
ments OF the Consumers League.
This company is one OF the bes
aud most favorably known bushes
concerns IN Wilmington. and the
feel that their past reputation wi
give weight to what they consids
reasonable objection 10 the bill