Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-19
Urge Employers to Aid Their
Workers Who Are Members
of National Guard.
WASHINGTON BUSINESS
MEN ARE APPEALED TO
Presidents of Board of Trade, Cham
Der of Commerce and Retail
Merchants Issue Statements.

Tho heads of washington's three
largest civic organizations. the Board
OF Trade, Chamber of Commerce and
Retail Merchants Association. today
united in voicing an appeal to the
business men of Washington to as
sist in every way possible such of
their employees as belong to the Dis
trtct National Guard. which, with the
militia regiments Of the states, has
been ordered to mobilize immedi-
ately.
All three OF these organizations have
at various times given their stamp OF
approval to efforts that have been
made to promote enlistments in the
District National Guard. to increase the
ehloiency of the body and to provide
suitable armory for 1t. Members of
these organizations have been urged
to encourage their employees to en-
list in the guard and to grant to them
vacation periods which would permit
them to attend the annual encampment
without jeopardizing their positions
Many Employees Absent.
Propr1etors of many business estab-
nshments arrived at their stores and
o6ces this morning to find absent some
Of their employees. members of the
District National Guard. who had been
ordered to report to the armory with
out delay. In some instances these
men had sent word by messenger and
otherwise to their employers that they
w0nld
day and that just how long they would
be absent they could not tell. In some
establishments il was necessary for
the proprietors to Immediately employ
mon to take the places of employees
called to the colors.
Edwin c. Brandenburg, president of
the Washington Board of Trade, spoke
Of the hardship the ordering out of
the District National Guard will work
In some families and of means of re-
neving this to some extent.
IT tho guard is sent to the Mexican
border 1t will mean that the incomeS
OF many men will be Immediately re-
duced to the small pay of soldier
private individuals come forth with
helping hand" said Mr.. Brandenburg.
think the government should set n
sxample by continuing for several
Hnment employees in the District Ma
0onak Guard who are ordered to the
oe1oy& This would aid greatly for II
TQud eet an example which would be
feuowed By private employers in many
Should Assist Families.
sRus&neas men having employees in the
HuAsd should assure them that no mat
tar how Long their service with the
celors may be, their positions will be
awaiting them upon their return. They
also should endeavor to assist the
families of such employees who are left
without means of support. This Is a
ton to show their patriotism. II their
employees are to go to the border they
should do so with a feeling that things
are in good shape at home.''
p. T. Moran. president of the WASH
fngton Chamber of Commerce, said he
believed a spirit of patriotism existed
among Washington business man that
would prompt them to render all pos
sfble assistance to their employees who
are guardsmen.
II know what members of the cham
Der OF commerce think of the District
National Guard and feel that at this
time they will give evidence of their
opinion of the organization by render
ing assistance to its members" said
Mr.. Moran. I'VE have a regular commit
tee in the chamber that devotes itself
exclusively to the National Guard and
its welfare. This committee Is the out
come of a sentiment existeing among
business men for a larger and better
guard. I believe this sentiment will
prompt business men of Washington
to assure their employees that their in
terests will be safeguarded during
their sotourn with the colors."
r. P. Andrews Voices Appeal.
r. P. Andrews president of the Re-
tail Merchants Association. also united
in the appeal to business men to sup
port their employees who are militia
men In Mr.. Andrews establishment
there are employed several men who
arc members of the District National
Guard They are granted vacations
with pay each year in order that they
may attend tho annual encampment.
NJ. Andrews today said he would give
70 such employees at this time tho pay
which they otherwise would have
drawn during their vacation period
II hope other business men of Wash
fngton will do likewise" said Mr. An
drews. We must rally to the support
of the guard. and aid its members in
every way possible. We must assure
such Of our employees as are members
OF the guard that their positions will
be awaiting them upon their return,
even IL we have to make vacancies for
them. They must not go away feeling
that fhAv WI bavA 20 hunt MAUI toh