The Washington times., 1921-05-05

Vigorous protest against al
order closing the Government cafe
terra in the Munitions Building, one
OF the largest in the country, wa.
registered today by employees in
the new Munitions and Navy build.
ings in Potomac Park.
GIRLS PROTEST. ACTION.
Closing of the cafeteria would
work great hardship on hundreds Of
girl clerks. 1t was declared, as there
are no lunch rooms in the Vicinity,
and. as but half hour Is allowed for
lunch. they would be unable to come
into the city.
The order for the closing Of the
lunch room. posted in the room yes
terday, follows:
1.-THE chief Of staff has directed
that this cafeteria be discontinued
after lunch on May ii. The space will
be utilized for officers"
The notice is signed by THE Cafe
terra Council" composed of War De-
partment officers in charge Of the
project.
The cafeteria, located on the third
floor of the Munitions building, TWEEN
tieth and B streets northwest, serves
between 500 and 1000 employees daily,
the majority of them being women.
Since the project was placed un-
der new management. about six
months ago, it has been a paying bust
ness, II was declared today by men,
bers of the STAFF.
Closing of the place would mean
the scrapping of several thousands Of
dollars worth of machinery and
equipment at a great loss to the Gov
eminent. 1t was stated.
Aroused by the order a number OF
employees today drew up and are cir
culating, petition protesting against
the enforcement of the order. Six
hundred names were signed 10 this
petition in the three hours before
noon today and 1t is expected that
fully ! 1000 names will be on the list
by 4:3O o'clock this afternoon. -.
EMPLOYEES SIGN PETITION. 3
The petition. addressed to Secretary
of War Weeks, through the Munitions
Building Cafeteria Council. is as fol-
lows:
Having learned from good author
ity that the Government Cafeteria To-
cuted in the Munitions Building. has
been recommended closed by the In
spector:
I'VE, the undersigned, wish to sub
nit to the Secretary Of War our pro-
test against the closing OF the NUM-
tions Building cafeteria, now run for
the convenience of employees Of the
Government. -,
Whereas the building Is so far re-
moved from the center OF lunchroom
sections of the city. the ones located
nearest being on the order Of tea
rooms and catering only to small
crowds. while the present patronage
Of this cafeteria is between 900 and
] 900 clerks and officers, who would
be forced to undergo great hardships
and inconvenience. by such closing;
and
Whereas the cafeteria was taken
over at a critical moment of heavy
Indebtedness, having until this pc
riod carried the Indebtedness, this
being given as cause for the closing
of the said cafeteria. 1t has been
learned that, after several cuts re-
Gently in both labor and salaries,
that the cafeteria is now on a prac-
tical elf-supporting basis, and,
Whereas, the War Department is |
under any circumstances responsible |
for the Indebtedness OF the former |
management and which indebtedness
must be paid.
I'VE earnestly beg that the Secre-
tary of War consider unfavorably the |
closing of the cafeteria at this time |
and not force the clerks to hardship |
outside at the noon-time rush hour"