The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-22

This is very timely discussion which we are all considering concern ing the earlier closing of the stores" says Mrs. Walter Beasley of Highland avenue and Twenty ninth street. Tt is one which has more or less haunted every thoughtful woman who did her share in the war work ever since that work has ended During those days when so many women stood on their feet from Q o'clock in the morning until o'clock in the after noon once or twice a week they came to know what 1t was to go through with weary day.
 We were not all standing, either and yet the days seemed long and tire some. We often said then we wonder ed how the clerks in the stores sfood 1t from s:30 in the morning on satur- oays until or 10 o'clock after week of work, when only two days wore us out.
 WAR EXPERIENCES Most of us promised ourselves closing was agitated that we would support the movement. We have not forgotten, and have pledged ourselves 10 do all we can to make the early hours find favor with everybody.
 Priding ourselves on our progress slNeness we should not be behind time on this. Other cities seem Ia have solved the problem of closing of the stores so can we. I have ob- served that the larger the city and the more up-to-date the better the hours. The New York Times of last week contains the advertisements of several department stores. saving. Store hourcs from to 5SO' Last year l was surprised there to see the stores close at 5:30 o'clock during the week before Christmas Two summers ago l read this sign in At lanta, Store closed all day Saturday during July and August
 Fthicago and Cincinnati have the early closing hours and so has New orleans, l believe. Finally, I don't be- iieve that Saturday night shopping is Birmingham habit, anyway. or only With very few. We have gotten for ride on the bright, pretty streets The sidewalks are full or peo pie, and it is just generally attrac- tive"
 APPROVES CLOSING
 Mrs. T. Harper Spencer of Tenth avenue and Eighteenth street. seNs:
 most heartily approve of the early closing of the stores, and from a nuInoer or viewpoints. In the first
 
 stores should be given an opportunity to rest and get ready for the Sab bath
 There are many things that any ETH mas to do to be ready for Sun day school and church, and even if they could be ready they are in n5 state Of body or mind to get up early sunday morning and go. I have a friend who has never worked until recently. She has, however. had sev- eral girls in the house who did. and used to rebuke them quite often on sundays for their habit of lying in bed instead of getting up and attending church, Recently she began work lherself and says that she can ap preciate the feelings of the girls since eeing placed in their position. T think. too. that the late hours of the girls in the stores will gradually have hardening effect Instead of the feeling that they should not be alone on the streets so late as the girls do feel at first, the late hour becomes customary, and it simply is not good for a girl, and especially a young one. I will be glad. for my part when we advance to closing the stores ! earlier every day and at i o'clock on saturdays. Our stores should get away from the old village store which never knew when to shut up. Tt seems to me that the size of q city can be measured by the ease of it's hours. All of the largest cities have inaugurated the early closing hours long ago." said Dr. Lola Taylor, den- tist. in the Farley building. we need to get out of a rut, and