The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1918-01-25
A LUMBERJACK'S VIEW ON
SATURDAY NIGHT CLOSING
To the Editor.
Leavenworth Echo.

Dear Sir,
Would it be asking you to much
to give the following comments a
corner in your paper; I read in the
last issue of your valued sheet, that
the stores in Leavenworth would from
now on close at six o'clock Saturday
evenings. Now. Mr.. editor, am a
lumberjack employed in camp several
miles from your town and Saturday
evening is the only night that l and
my fellow workmen have time to get
to town and buy what we require in the
shape Of clothing and other bodily
needs, unless we lay off and lose days
pay. The pretext put forword is, that
the closing is by order Of the govern
ment. Those who have taken this
matter up with the Federal Govern
ment according to the Spokesman
Review, have been informed that no
department OF the Federal Government
ever issued any such instructions. The
only specific order given out by the
government was to confine the delivery
OF retail packages to one day, which
I infer was to conserve gasoline, as. in
the large cities thousands OF autos, and
auto trucks. are continually employed
10 the delivery OF parcels. The lum-
berjack and all affiliated labor organi-
cations whose aim is an eight hour day,
have no desire that clerks in stores
should be subjected to longer hours
on their account. -
Those Of my fellow craft with whom
I have talked the matter over, do not
see why the store keepers in Leaven.
worth cannot close every day at S
o'clock except Saturday. deferring the
closing on that day, until 9 o'clock
o. m. which would give the clerks 5
extra hours for out door work in stead
Of three by closing every working day
at 6 o'clock. Patriotism can be con-
torted TO suit the ends OF any one who
will stand on his housetop and shout,
II am a patriot" Every American
citizen who is loyal to his government
is patriot and will do all in his power
to further the ends of the government
by helping where ever possible, but let
me tell you Mr.. Editor that in your
hamlet you have not out side the rail
road a public or personal utility that
would by conservation add to the gov
eminent the price Of Pine Cone.
Common sense applied to personal
enterprises when ever it can help to
conserve the essentials of war is all that
your government asks. Your city will
benefit by giving the working man a
chance to clothe himself without the
necessity OF sending to the mail order
house. I hear you say, why not mail
your orders 10 US, why should we; you
have closed your doors against US, and
we have before US mail order catalogue
that is fully descriptive OF all our needs.
Mr.. Leavenworth Merchant, have you
in closing Saturday nights realized that
you are closing your doors in the face
OF the men whose trade has built up
your business and who now sustain you,
and these men are the lumberjacks.
The man who stands at the throttle
OF the engine. the fireman and brake
man, the rancher, the hundred and one
hands employed in your lumber mills
and yards. Do you think it better to
reduce the hours OF your week days
which would leave ample time to care
for all your city customers and give a
few extra hours on Saturday evening to
those whose employment and distance
from the city debar them from getting
the necessaries Of life, or isyour answer,
to Sears Roebuck with you, what do
we care for the workmens trade.
Martin Olsen
Lumberjack