The Anaconda Standard

In Mass Meeting Many Prominent Merchants Favor It.

BEN HOGAN IS FOR THE BOYS

He Says He Has Lost Money In Butte and Won't Stay—People Who Agree to the New Plan.

By the Standard's Special Wire.

BUTTE, Oct. 20.—Ben Hogan's meeting at the Presbyterian church this evening for the agitation of the early closing movement was very largely attended. The hour, 9 o'clock, had been arranged with reference to the convenience of the clerks, and they turned out in large numbers. The first 15 minutes were spent in a song service after which Ben Hogan stated the object of the meeting. He said that he had never expected to take part in a movement of this kind, having come here to agitate temperance reform. As it was he had been doing what he could to bring about this early closing reform. But he was going to leave the city soon. He had already lost $75 here and thought it was a contemptible shame. If he had come under the auspices of some particular church or society, it might have been different. But at any rate he was going away very soon and wanted them to make an arrangement by which this early closing reform should be finished after he had gone. After they had accomplished this he proposed a protective union of the clerks with regular meetings and committees to inquire into the case of any dealer who opened up.

J. R. Boyce was called out and in a few words expressed his concurrence with Mr. Hogan's views. It was learned that several prominent houses had already agreed to close.

The following is the list of business houses that have agreed to close at 8 o'clock: J. R. Boyce, jr. & Co., A. B. McLean, J. H. Maloney, Thomas T. Baker, Lee W. Foster & Co., Matt Wilkins, J. A. Lanton, D. J. Hennessy. John Caplice & Co., W. K. Kenyon, Bray & Davidson, Bonner Mercantile Company, Gans & Klein and Fred Gamer.

After a good deal of discussion about ways and means it was decided to appoint a committee of three from each business house represented. Considerable difficulty was experienced in making up this committee owing to the fact that the clerks present were mainly representative of but four firms. But the committee was finally selected and will be out to-morrow.

J. R. Boyce assured the boys that he was ready to go out with them and otherwise assist them as far as possible. It was decided not to ask for 7 o'clock closing but to be satisfied with 8 o'clock for the present, particularly as this better accommodated the workingmen, who did not get off until 6 o'clock,

A committee consisting of Messrs. Ford, Brownfield, White and Boyce was appointed to draft suitable resolutions expressive of the views of the clerks, with instructions to report to-morrow evening, when another meeting of the parties interested will be held at the same place.