The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-02-27
Fight Against Added
Hour to Be National

That the fight against the Borland
rider to the appropriations bill. which
would add another-hour to the working
day Of the Federal civil service employees.
will be come a national issue is the state
ment Of those active in behalf Of the op-
position to the proposition.
The Retail Merchants Association is
today sending out letters to the thou
sands of commercial organizations IN
every part OF the United States, urging
them to communicate, with their members
In Congress to oppose the adoption of
the rider.
At special meeting Of the board of
governors of the association yesterday
afternoon that body went on record
against the eight-hour stipulations and
instructed its officials to deliver its reso-
buttons to members of Congress tomor-
row.
The passage of this measure would
necessitate a Encouragement of all WASH
ington stores. in the view Of the govern
ors OF the retailers association. Under
the law of the District no woman can be
employed for longer than eight hours.
Department store men asserted that with
this rider as law. they must shift their
workers into two tricks or deprive the
government, clerks of the opportunity Of
making their purchases.
Would Work Hardships.
NJ A. Leese. vice president Of the mer-
chants organization, who presided in the
absence from the city of President r. P.
Andrews, pointed out to the governors
that the law would work innumera BILE
hardships upon the government clerks.
One of these, he said. would be upon
those who are buying their homes in
Virginia, Maryland or portions of the
District removed from the street car
lines. and who would be forced to work
ship upon them to get home in time for
the evening meal.
1t was also brought out that many
clerks now work until and O'Clock
m the evening, some Of them to a later
time. so that this measure will be, in
effect. a slap in the face for those who
do not watch the clock" but give their
undivided attention to the duties involv-
ing upon them.
Other organizations of business men
will take up this question at meetings
to be held tomorrow. The executive COM
mittee of the Chamber of Commerce will
meet tomorrow noon to consider similar
action to that taken yesterday by the
of the Board of Trade may adopt its pro-
test at the meeting to be held in the
board rooms at l o'clock tomorrow.
Resolution Adopted.
The resolution adopted at yesterdays
meeting of the merchants in belief of
thirty-six lines of trade in the District
was proposed by Isaac Cans, manager
of Saks & Company, and read:
"A rider has been attached to the
Federal appropriation bill which Will add
another hour day service for Federal
and District employees. and
Congress, through the eight-hour law
for female employees. has already enacted
legislature that has seriously circum-
scribed business here in the District of
Columbia, putting the National Capital
at a distinct disadvantage with most cities
of the country. particularly those near
to Washington
The board Of governors Of the Retail
Merchants Association. assembled in
special session this 10Th day of February.
1916. hereby petitions the Congress of the
United States to disapproye the said
amendment OF rider proposed by Repre-
sentative Borland on the ground that
it is inconsistent with public policy for
great nation like the United States
government to increase the hours of labor
without additional compensation. In our
NO. rrr-rx