The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-30
STATEMENT ISSUED ON EARLY CLOSING Ladies Explain Why Thurs
 day Was Selected EXPRESS SURPRISE Say Closing on Saturday Night Would Cause Some Merchants to Lose
 Money Which They Wished
 tn Ayoid
EXPRESS
SURPRISE

| Mrs. ". L. Murdoch and Mrs G. r.
 Brazelton of the Consumers league
 committee from the Birmingham Equal Suffrage association yesterday issued a
 statement explaining the history of
 their efforts for early closing of stores | in Birmingham. It is pointed out that
 Thursday afternoon Is the day which
 has been generally agreed upon for closing during the summer months The statement reads:
 There seems to be so much mis- understanding in regard to the half
 holiday for the business people during the summer months that the commit tee from the Birmingham Equal suf- frage association, which has for sey- eral years done this work, feels that It would like to make to the general public an explanation
 Some six years ago committee from the National Consumers league started move for early closing and early shopping during the Christmas holiday season. This was followed by an effort for half holiday during July and August-this committee, al- ways having Saturday in mind as the best day if it could be done in this industrial community When the Bir- nningham Equal Suffrage association was organized some three years ago this Comnsumers league committee was made part of it's work and the move ment for a half holiday taken up in earnest. The support of most of the club women, the active help one sea c,s
 The effort always met with the deter mined opposition of some merchants and the cordial support and help of others.
 This year the committee asked the Board of Trade to call a meeting and all low our speakers to come before them; this was done and a committee of mer- chants appointed to act with us. and the question of Saturday night or Thursday afternoon was gone into very carefully. The majority of the merchants felt that so long as the big industrial companies pay off on Saturday afternoon and leave their employees only Saturday night for their buying, the Saturday night closing was not practical. As the committee from Equal Suffrage association wished to make the half holiday as nearly universal as possible, they agreed to work for the Thursday afternoon during July and Aug ust saying that they would not at all give up the idea of earlier Saturday night clos ing for the whole year round, but would make every effort possible during the winter months to see every industrial plant in the district and try to get a different pay day.
 It is, therefore with some surprise that the committee which has done the work, sees the articles by MT. Drennen on Saturday and by MT. Thompson on Monday. Surely these gentlemen could not have seen the report from the meet ing with the Board of Trade, else they would know that this committees of ladies feels just as they do about Saturday, but is willing to abide by the decision of the majority.
 Last year MT. Blach of J. Blach & Sons, and MT. Henry Fowllxes assisted this committee to get the closing general and the retail dry goods men were all round to be closing by o'clock Saturday night and some earlier. but MT. Drennen so far as we know has never been d party to any general holiday and to this commit tee expressed his disapproval very strong ly We could give him the names or 10 reputable merchants at once who will join him In Saturday night closing, but we cannot make this general at this time without making some merchants lose money and that is not our purpose
 MT. brennan states our store will as customary close on Thursday When, we ask, did his store close on Thursday or any other half holiday? We know that he has given his help a half holiday, but only few at a time, not closing of his store.
 As to MT. Thompsons letter. the com mittee had conference with the jewellers and advised that they go ahead and close Saturday an deventually many others would join them. They have no business on Saturday nights and can and should take the initiative. Others will follow. Mir Joseph has been willing for years to close his store on Saturday at 1 o'clock during July and August and at o'clock the year round.
 As it stands at present in this city. stores handling mems apparel have a very great volume of business on Satur- oay night-stores too, with large vol ume of negro trade do a very large busi- ness at this time. Therefore, to make a general half holiday under present con ditions and financially hurt no one Thurs day was selected.
 After all this work was undertaken bv an organization of women primarily for the benefit of women. Now as women bavo a bA to 1o