Denver labor bulletin., 1915-06-05
PRACTICE SHOULD BE ABOLISHED.

considerable complaint comes TO me from time
to time from Denver merchants who close their
stores at O'Clock on week days and SUNDAYS and
holidays that they do not receive the full patronage
from trades unionists they should That competi-
in the vicinity OF these stores who do not OBJ
the early closing and Sunday and holi lay
regulations and keep open all hours and all times.
reap the benefit. AT times | have doubted this TO
extent, but this last week the truth OF some
OF these assertions was demonstrate to me and
am constrained to believe that there have been
violations. Especially does this apply to establish
ments Larimcr, lower Sixteenth and other
streets in that vicinity :,
remember that for years the Trades Assembly,
agtated and worked to bring about shorter hours
and a day OF rest and observance of recognized
holidays for the clerks in the stores Ii was a
hard pull and long pull to get the deserved result,
and the objections OF the merchants finally
overcome. For time the unionists kept after
those who did not come through and there was lit
tie cause for complaint. But of late the opening
OF stores after O'Clock in the evening TO be
growing up again, and undoubtedly they are G Z
ting patronage from people, some OF whom carry
union cards. The merchants who trv TO follow
the desires OF the union people are complaining
and say that unless some action is taken -,gcnt
trade gong to these places from card holders they
may be forced to compete with their unfair com
petitors and this they do do
have case in mind that brought to my
attention this week. Mchaclsons store at Fifteenth
and larmer has been observing the early closing
hours and days Tor long time. They are sur
rounded by number OF similar establishments
that are open nearly all the time. Michacson made
speclal ei1Dft TO get trade on SATURDAY,
Monday being holiday and had signs conspicu-
ousy displayed. some OF which were very good
reading as follows: Call and see us tomorrow
Reliable stores close at q p. IN. every night except
Saturday. 1t IS against the honor OF an Amcri-
can to trade IN stores that open on Sunday
Fair play-Americans trade in stores that
are open on Memorial day" Never trade on Sun
day 1t is not fair to your selves or to your fellow
men They tell me that the places around them
were open Sunday and Memorial day and seemed
to do a good business. How much of il was union
don't know. 1T seems to If the firm in q;es-
ton has Just complaint. and whatever trade there
Is from trades unionists should go to those VINO
obey the desire of unonists, wherever they NAV
be located.
1T has also come to my knowledge that A num-
Der OF other stores feel the same way and believe
that steps should be taken to force all establish
ments OF the same nature to observe the same
hours and conditions. No true trades unionst will
patronze any place that persists in violating he
closing hours days
/ hope the Trades Assembly and the Retail,
elerks Union will take immediate steps to look
INTO this matter 1t is que stion of more than or
dinary Importance and il allowed to continue and
flourish may lead to general move on the part of
merchants who are now friendly to take such steps
as they deem best to protect what they believe to
be their business interests. Unionists can heln
eradicate this growing evil and they should pro-,
ceed without delay and in sane way TO do ca
am writing this in the interest of no particu
lar fIrm but for the benefit OF all merchants who
comply with desired conditions I have had ,ho
same complaint from those who are located ;n
various parts OF the CITY, "