Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-13
Writer Declares Such Plan for
Federal Employees Would
Upset Domestic System.
CHANGED OFFICE HOURS
HITS SUBURBAN!TES
Suggests Closing at 3 Pm. Every
Saturday During the Year, With
Usual Time for Lunch.
To the Editor OF The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
Referring to Secretary Lanes propo
sition tas set forth in The stars ar
ticle of the Sth Instantly TO give the
government clerks a half holiday Sat
urday all the year round. but require
them to work until o'clock pm. the
rest of the week. | wish to say that
am quite sure the large majority OF
clerks would very greatly prefer to
have no holiday whatever at any time
in the year if the time given must be
made up, either by going TO work
earlier in the morning or by working
later in the evening
For reasons which have been fire.
quenuy explained through the col
umnS of your paper and which are
clearly understood by all. any change
in the government clerks office hours
which will disarrange the present do
nestle system OF Washington. is ob-
jectionable. and it is hoped that the
present administration will appreciate
this fact.
This proposed change would work a Pc
culiar hardship to the large number Of
clerks who live in the suburbs and have
to depend upon the railroad companies
with fixed schedule for operating their
trains to take them TO and from their
Offices.
No Holiday at All.
Moreover. any holiday given which
must be made up by overtime work is
In effect no holiday at all And, indeed.
permanent lengthening of the clerks
wOrkday for any reason would he of
doubtful value to the government. for en-
perience and tests have repeatedly shown
that the best and most efficient work
is done in the short workday, and that
nothing is gained in the course of
years work by continually driving the
mind and body to their utmost capacity.
These facts are too we'll known to re-
quire much discussion.
OF course, the clerks would welcome
the Saturday half holiday the year round
or for even four or five months during
the heated term. provided it can be con-
sistently given without requiring them to
make up the time. but no plan which
will require overtime work is desired. and
If nothing better can be done then let
the clerks have the half holiday during
July, August and September as hereto
fore. This plan has been thorouS hly
tested for number of years. has proved
practicable and economical. and has no
seriously Objectionable features.
But in the event that it is Impractical
BILE to give the clerks half holiday for
more than three months in the year with
out requiring them to make up the time
or to have it deducted from their annual
leave / would like TO suggest the follow
ing pTOpOSltlOn, winch i Inlnk mas H1cAly
good features and would prove practi-
cable and economical from the govern
ment's point of view:
Plan Is Suggested.
Let the Office hours for the first five
days Of the week remain unchanged. e.,
from . am. to 4:3O pm, with a half hour
for lunch.
Every Saturday during the year let the
hours be from am. to 5 pm. with the
half hour for lunch.
This would remove the objection that
some may have to luching at a late
hour in the day, which results from the
l o'clock closing with no allowance for
lunch, and would obviate going from the
Office to their homes through the hottest
part of the day.
Getting off at ) pm. would give all who
wished ample time to prepare for taking
Saturday evening trip to the country
and would afford opportunity for Satur-
day evening shopping throughout the
year.
l do MOI suppose this proposition will
meet with the approval Of all Indeed.
no plan could be suggested that would
suit every one. but / believe that should
this one be tried the clerks as a body
would soon see that it is the best that
could be offered them, excepting a full
half day the whole year without making
up the time thus given.
NJ. SAPLETINE.