New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-14
Battle Store Sleuths, and
Miss Sandford Even
Makes Manager Grin.
DRAW GIRL CLERKS
INTO UNION RANKS
Officer 1885 Observes Strict
Neutrality and Blocks
Intervention.

The Retail Clerks Union and the
Wumen's Trade Union League. which are
holding meetings outside department
stores in the effort TO organize the sales
women. put in a lively hour at closing
time last night at store near Greeley
Square
They not only had two meetings. with
Miss Helen Schloss speaking from an
automobile at one entrance and Miss
Elizabeth butcher speaking from step
ladder which they brought in the car at
another entrance. but Miss Mary X.
Sanford, chaperon Of the party, consh-
tuted herself barker, and did il so well
that she ended by proving herself the
chief attraction Of the affair.
The speakers were on hand at s
o'clock hut il was near : before the
girls began to pour out through the en-
ployes' entrances. -Four of the store
managers and several detectives gathered
before the door from which most of them
were leaving. and Miss Sanford began
to fear that the girls would be sent away
and the meeting be left without the audi
enoe II wanted
Give me those folders" she cried to
Miss Hilda Svensen, w. T. L. J.. organ
izer. She took a huge pile Of calls TO
organize" and took her stand near the
managers before the door.
Come, girls" she cried. 81 may not
give these folders Quit is against the
law-but YOU can take them from my
hand II you're afraid 10 take them. write
10 No 40 East 18th street and we'll tell
YOU about the union; and be sure and
tell us whether the store pays you for
the extra hour il has kept you working
tonight"
Miss Sanford added to her remarks
about the store until one of the managers
decided that she needed attention. He
took his stand at her elbow.
Officer" he told the nearest patrol
man, officer 2.635. make this woman
stand near her automobile, as her permit
directs"
But Offcer 1885 was on the side Of the
women That permit" he told the man
ager. Gals for outside this store. ana
she's within her rights"
Swarns Of girls were coming out now,
and almost every one stopped and took q
folder Down the street Miss Schloss
was telling the girls that under present
conditions they were slaves, and Miss
Sanford, In penetrating tones, urged all
who passed TO go and hear Miss Schloss.
The store managers kept their eyes fixed
upon her, bat she gave no excuse for
arrest.
That man would like TO have me ar
rested" she told the girls. 'He would
like 10 have me spend the night in the
Tombs. Pass on. girls, don't block the
sidewalk lie likes to see the sidewalk
blocked with customers, but he doesn't
want YOU 10 block it, What, must I
move?"
Big Lieutenant Hart, Of the 23d Pre-
cinct. had arrived with a sergeant and
another patrolman, and he gave Miss
Sanford a push in the back. Keep
moving he ordered.
Miss Sanford protesting that Officer
c.635 had told her she could stand on
the curb. mo"ed. The manager. sticking
tight 10 her elbow. moved with her. Up
and down they went. attended by swirl
ing crowd Of girls. who grabbed AZ the
folders and listened to the running fire OF
remarks from Miss Sanford. She intro
duced the faithful and impressive man
age~ 10 the crowds as her escort, and
commented upon his chivalry until his inn
passiveness broke up in a grin.
The meeting broke up without an ar
rest, though several times it looked as IL
one was imminent Miss butcher said
that twenty girls from this store had
Joined the union. and many from other
department stores.