The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-25
FOR LESS HOURS
Shop Federation Differs With
vieys of A. B. Harrison.
Latter Deplored Closing Topeka
Stores at 6 O'clock.

The Topeka Shop Federation is
strongly behind the early closing of
Topeka stores and does not hold to
the idea recently expressed in a letter
to The State Journal by A B. Har-|
rison. The official statement of the
federation. signed by the officers of
the association, deplores the fact that
Harrison shows such solicitude for
the merchants and so little faith in
his own WIFE" 1t goes on to state
that the shopmen themselves have
gained the eight-hour work day and
that they have no desire to force the
women clerks in the big department
stores to work longer hours.
The shop federation statement fol-
lows:
Editor State Journal:
On date of November IL there appeared
article signed by A. B. Harrison who
states he Is a mechanic employed at the
Santa Fe shops, and deplores the closing of
the stores by Topeka merchants at q
He seems to have great solic3tude for the
merchants as well as for his fellow shop
trade of the former and the Inconvenience
and impossibility of the latter being un-
able to do The their trading because the early ay
not have much faith in the wifes ability
to do the necessary shopping which great
at this time and without any misgfving as
she as a rule is more eeenouical and
thrifty in her purchases than is the man.
Use Telephone. Advice.
We would like to suggest to the knocker
his wife to do the shopping and II he can
not stand the loss of a few hours time
use of telephone as We believe 1t would
result In better service. than ordering
goods by mail at some cut of town mail
order house; besides he would be spend
ing his money with the home merchant,
the one who would receive his trade.
! The said 4. B; Harrison no wise In his
employed at the Santa Fe shops. but We
can safely say they are heartily in accord
with the early closing of all places of
business. SO that the sometimes over work
ed and not too we'll paid clerk can enjoy
the same privileges of shorter hours with
more time for rest and recreation and be
able TO spend more of their time at home
and ENJOY some of the comforts of the same.
We would not deny the clerk the same
the past, and gained and now aye main
tanning for. namely the eight hour day. as
we believe that eight hours well employed
is enough for any one to toll: for we do
not think that the Creator of this earth
ever Intended that the human race should
be compelled to work from twelve. to
eighteen hours out Of every twenty four
! for the privilege of a mere existence, which
is the circumstances Of countless thou
sands -
Women Needs shorter Hours.
II there is any one who needs the
shorter WORK day II Is the woman EN-
pIoye who is physically unable to stand the
longer hours of toll as compared to the
man: therefore we certainly do not expect
the clerks good per cent who are woman
to stand behind the counter greater
number of hours asday saan do we the mel
workers in the shops We wonld not
deny them ef any of the privileges of
shorter hours that We have now obtained
we, the members of theSshop Federation
Of Topeka, sKan:.. wish TO go on record
before the public as standing for the
shorter work day for clerks. and We speak
with solicitude for the weaker half of the
human race who are compelled by circum-
stances to enter the competitive field of
labor with man to earn living and that
they be given at least the same considera- 4
tions that We as railroad workers have
been granted
The members indors.ng this article are
a representative body of the Topeka Shop
Federation of the Atchison, Topeka & San
ia Fe railway. Representing approximate
ly $500 shop emloyes- Signed.
F. Fl. MARTIN.
+. A. SANDERSON, JR.
?. L. YELTON.
GEO. ETZEL.
II. C. SANDERSON.
( d. GOLDSMITH