The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-19
TOpekans To Fight Proposed
Repeal of New Law.
Labor and Business Men Like
Extra Hour of Light.
TO TAKE ACTION At ONCE
The Chamber of Commerce
Officers Give Views.
People Urged To Let Congress
Know Benefits.

Prominent business and profession
al men of Topeka today deplored the
indication that congress will pass
the rider to the agricultural appro-
priation bill providing for the repeal
of the daylight saving law. Immedi-
ate steps to ascertain sentiment in re-
gard to the great saving plan will be
taken by the Retail Merchants asso-
citation and the labor unions here. it
was announced. with a probable view
to make a formal protest in the
event that the vote favors the present
system.
Such men as A P. McKown, mana
ger of the Pelletier's store and presi-
dent of the Merchants association; C.
B. Merriam. president, and A. l..
Oliger, secretary of the Chamber of
Commerce; E. H. Crosby, of the Cros-
| by Brothers company; c. B. White,
United States commissioner, and doZ-
ems of others have expressed their ap-
proval of the extra hour of light.
Merchants to Take Action.
McKown stated that the question
would be brought up at the next meet
I ing of the Merchants association and
steps taken to ascertain just what per
cent of the members were opposed to
! the plan and if so. for what reason.
He pointed out the benefits he and
I his employees in the big department
store derived from the system, allow
| ing them to get to work in the cool of
| the morning and get ready for the
| days business, and then have an extra
| hour of light in the evening for out
door recreation or gardening.
| THE system entirely eliminates the
early closing controversy that seized
| the city some time ago." said A. L.
! Oliger, secretary of the Chamber OF
Commerce. There was much dispute
about closing before o'clock in the
| summer but under the present system
| the stores are really closing at
o'clock sun time, allowing the en-
p1oyes an extra hour of light"
| 'I am very much in favor of it," de-
clared c. B. Merriam.
What do you think of the system
as applied to the American nation?'
United States Commissioners White was
asked. -
! Union Men Like Plan.
"we've gotten beyond that" he re-
| piled "All we think about is the in
dividuaL Personally. 1 think it's
fine plan and am in favor of it"
Clyde Tresner, president of the To
peka Industrial council, said that mos
of the union men he had talked to or
the subject were pleased with the ex
ira hour of light in the evening, bu
that the teamsters hated to get up iT
the morning, and had passed a reso
be taken to ascertain just how small i:
the proportion of laboring men whC
prefer darkness to daylight.
The daylight saving law, a nationa
economic measure in war time, has be
come the poor mans boon in peace
time. But any school child who ha
studied history. knows there was nevel
a reform among the peoples of thu
earth that did not meet with bitter op
position from selfish few. Not only dC
Americans need the extra hour o.
light for the recreation which the in
creasing strenuity of business de
mands. but in the present era of out
rageous prices the poor man must de
vote every moment to raising his owl
food to as great an extent as possible
The duty of every man and woman
who has the welfare of the nation a
heart is to write at once to their sen
ators and representatives in congress
demanding that this law be continuet
indefinitely.