Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-17

Of Will THIS IS due 10 reforms in
stitutcd by tho department stores them
selves. who recognize the fact that
physical disability is the principal
cause OF incnicicncy. IT was not 40
very many years ago tha, store girls
stood behind their counters ten hours
= day. with half an hour for lunch as
a rule. aud a hastily Robb,cd sandwich
IA rush seasons. Then came tho carly
closing. ANA shortly afterwards tho
h"lt-holiday on Saturday and two
weeks vacation during tho summer
months. Next came the popular propa-
g"nda. DO your Christmas shopping
carly" and during the holiday season
inc department stores. instead OF keep.
ing open until midnight. started To
close their doors At o'clock.
Credit to ORGANIZATIONS.
y great deal OF credit for these carly
improvements must also be given 10
such organizations as the Consumers
League. 1t 10 to be noticed for in
stance that the sudden discovery Of
the physical factor in efficiency WAY
coincidcDt with tho banding together
OF various womou's clubs which re-
fused to natroUizc every store that was
badly ventilated, which did not have
adequate facilities for its cnlplovccs
and which did not maintain high
health standard. Now tho average
large department store appears 10 ho
"a healthy as a young ladies' boarding
school or suuatorium. When a girl
comes to the store seeking employ
ment. she ~ first examined by the store
physician, and II in delicate health Is
advised 10 seek some lighter occupa-
zion. II accepted, She IS givcu "A short
lecture on hygiene and enrolled in the
store gymnasium, where expert
physical director instructs her In the
art OF various exercises for Strengthens
Ing her muscles ana keeping i'm good
condition. When she is finally given :,
place behind the counter. II IL upon
a iloor which Is covered with :. thcl
shcetiuE OF cork Iinolcum. aGording
protection 10 the feet
ON the roof Of many stores now there
SIS recreation garden with "a we'll
equipped sol"rium. containing leather
c"nchcs, easy chairs. reading tables
aud Il Nictrola. Here AZ almost any
tinc OF the day the mpdcrn shop girl
is To DO found in nor fifteen minute
rce"sscs from store duty, cmbroidcr-
ing, reading. resting. dancing and
eAttt,ut; with her friends ON the roof
ais" Is maintained the store lunchroom
for It's cmploy"cs--a cafeteria arrange
ncut PROVIDING: variety Of hot ,lisher
at the lowest possible prices the aver
aEc lunch costing 90 cents. small
boys and girls WHO are employed a.
messengers and bundle wrappers about
the store arc provided with "a lunch for
$ cents which includes :, plate Of soup
bread and butter and big glass OF
milk.
one part OF the roof is set aside as
tho store hospital where there Is q
staH OF trained nurses and u doctor 10
look after girls who arc taken i'll. IF
"a girl is too i'll 70 remain on thc floor
she is put To bed in tho hospital and
cared for by the nurses. her salary be
ing paid TO her the same rs II she woro
at work. which would not he tho case
II she went home. IN addition 70 the
doctor and nUrSey, there is A store
dentist and also a chironodiat. who are
maintained by tho manaG omcnt for the
benefit of their employees. All Of this
is necessarily a great expense TO rho
store, as well as q problem in executive
management, hut the results have made
the Inconvenience worth while. Tho
large department store to-day is a
tremendous organization, whose every
employee Is Il trained unit working for
the progress OF the firm as well as for
their own personal advancement Ten
years from now tho untidy, slaucy
gum chewing shop girl viii be as great
AN anachronism IN the department
store rs an early Victorian lady Of tho
fainting variety would be in a modern
ENmmASlllm.