The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-30
MORE CONVERTS ID EARLY CLOSING IDEA Express Willingness to Close at 1 P. M. on Saturdays PLAN CONFERENCE Merchants Anxious to Get Tcgether and Agree on Some Plan to Re-
 lieve Employes-Dr. Edmonds
 Issues Statement
PLAN CONFERENCE

Loveman Joseph & Loeb, Caheen Brothers, the Parsan and six of the leading jewellers of Birmingham are will ling to close on Saturdays at 1 o'clock.
 That his store was willing to keep open next Thursday, which has been settled upon a half holiday, and to close at o'clock Saturday, July 1, and remain so through July and August, was declara- ton of Sol Caheen, representing Caheen Brothers. Questions put to M V Joseph head of Loveman, Joseph & Loeb, were answered to the same effect He also went further.
 The idea of closing on Saturday was advanced by F. M Drennen of Drennen company. It was followed by the jew elers, who said through Joseph Thomp- son of Herzog & Thompson that they were willing to close at 6 o'clock Satur- day or even l o'clock Saturday
 MT. Caheen says that Loveman, Joseph & Loeb started some years ago to close on Friday afternoon and carried that nol- icy out alone. For a season the firm closed at l o'clock Saturdays at that time alone. Two years ago the merchants gathered and in order to get the other
 
 Loeb agreed to close every Thursday It had remained in that shape and was ar ranged in that way for this season as previously announced.
 Joseph Gives Views
 We are only too glad to close at l o'clock on Saturday,, said M. V. Joseph, president of Loveman, Joseph X Loeb We will start next Saturday if the others will. We will do yet another thing; We will close Thursday at 1 o'clock and also o'clock Saturday if the other merchants will I am told this IS the plan of MT. Drennen and we are perfectly willing to go in with him I am told that the Parisian, some of the jewellers, Caheen Brothers and MT. Dren- nen are inclined toward this plan My Idea Is that the best plan is to close Saturday at 1 o'clock and give the em- ployes real honest-to-goodness rest. It IS the proper thing to do. They could attend their houses of worship on Sun day, and it would be a refreshing ar rangement all the way round. However our firm will agree to any plan giving the employees extra time off, and will do II gladly. We are ready and willing to meet the local merchants and arrange this closing proposition so as to take effect next Saturday"
 sol Caheen was equally in favor of e'c SotdiodN lutd f1t Sa1Q lnlS.
 Here is q petition that our employees were asked to sign. It says that Satur day at o'clock has been suggested and thursday afternoon. Of our employees only two voted for Saturday at o'clock as the total holiday time We then de- cided to give them Thursday as they De- tltloned. However, Caheen Brothers will close at l o'clock Saturday if the others will agree. That is the only way I can see vast anOnnt Of banaHt fn pioyes by resting or diversions from Sat urday afternoon through Sunday Again We will remain closed Thursday afternoon and close at o'clock Saturday if the other stores will do likewise Let us get together and put the movement over. Loveman, Joseph & Loeb are the pio- neers in this closing business and l am told MT. Joseph will agree to most any plan looking to the shortening of the hours of work of employees. I wish it could be so agreed that we could start this proposition next Saturday and then see if the 1 o'clock closing cannot be made permanent the year round We are Willing to that or any plan of this sort"
 The plan of closing on Saturday at o'clock or Thursday at o'clock with the additional closing at o'clock on Satur- day has aroused considerable interest It is believed that there will be suggested a conference today or tomorrow at which the merchants will get together.
 In this connection pr. H. M Edmonds. pastor of the South Highlands Presby- terian church, made this statement yes terday:
 Dr. Edmonds Issues Statement s"I sincerely hope that the proprie- tors and managers of stores in all mer- cantile lines will join in the proposi- ton to close early on Saturday during hot weather. understand that the Parisian has already joined and that Loveman, Joseph & Loeb are anxious to do so if the. others can be prevailed upon to take the step.
 "It seems to me that it would be a | line peice of humanity and at the same | time good business. I have never ex- perienced that Saturday night grind at the close of the week, but l have looked at and listened to those who have, and I have the warmest sympa- | thy for them. It would lessen the wear | of the week; it would tighten the wear | and tare: 1t would release employees for | Sunday services; it would add Joy and | to a great many lives in the | district. I believe that the l business men are anxious to do it. In fact, several have told me personally | that they were if, there could be a | general understanding and agreement l 1n the part of all.'