Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-11-16
WAGES Of Working Girls.

[Ftom the New York Tribunel
The working girls of this city inaugurated
a movement tor increase of wages by holding
a meeting, Thursday evening, at which some
four hundred neatly dressed and intelligent
girls were present. 1t appeared from state
ments made by the working women that their
rates of wages range from 81 to So per week
In some instances only 20 cents day were
received. Cases were mentioned in which
particular girls were favored by their employ
erS with extra pay, but they were required not
to mention the fact. The price paid for board
was stated to be from 81 % to So per week.
not including washing, in most cases absorb.
ing the entire earnings Of the operative. They
are compelled to work from IL to l6 hours
each day; the general hours for work, how
ever, are from ( III the mUrning uutii
at night, allowing half or three-quarters of an
hour for dinner. The impression prevailed
that women's wages are lower than they were
a year ago The girls were formerly paid 81
a hundred for making hoop springs; now the
prices range from 10 to rs cents Il hundred.
From two to three hundred springs can be
made in a day. One of the girls stated that
she got three cents gross Tor them year
ago, but now she only received half gross,
and that smart little girls would nave to work
hard to earn shilling day at the business.
A cent piece is paid tor furnishing table
spoons, and it is a good days work to FURNISH
So; and if the work is not well done, the girls
must do it all over the next day without COM
pensatiOn.
Sixty cents a dozen is paid for finishing
shirts, and it is hard days work to finish
half dozen. 81 dozen is paid for fine
shirts. From four to six cents each is paid
for flannel shirts, and from nine to Il dozen
can be made in Il day. 81 dozen was paid
in 1860 for the same that now bring about so
cents Oyeralls so cents dozen; large
clOaks, taking day, 40 cents; small cloaks,
taking about eight hours, 20 cents. BY work
ing early and late, So week can be made at
this. Capes, 80 cents Il dozen, taking Il long
day; corsets $3.50 to 50 a week. At book
sewing about So week can be made. For
button holes on coats about 81 a week can be
made but it is very hard work. AT dress
making So week is made, working from
A. N. to 7P.M. Linen coats Is to 20 cents
each; two of them is good ten hours work.
The girls iron and finish them, and have to
buy their own thread, which costs ten cents
spool, and OF which one spool is used on two
coats PresS-feeders get 81 week some
times.
Shelter tents, with sixteen button holes and
sixteen eyeletS, brought last season 20 cents;
they now are made for eight cents, and only
four can be made in a day, working as long
as one can see. Cavalry tents are eight cents
piece for basting, and four can be 6asted in
day. Vest makers get % or 80 cents day.
Sewing machine operators get five cents for
Stitching so yards. Parasols and umbrellas
are so cents dozen-eight can be made in
day. Some of the employers, if a girl is five
minutes late, charge her five cents for it. In
some OF the establishments if button is lett
oil Il shirt, it is a rule to deduct 25 cents
from the pay. Photographers work all day
for three dollars Il week. One young woman
stated that when she asked her employer tor
money he pitched her down stairs and threat
ened her to call policeman. (Who is hep
Many cases Of hardship, suffering, penury
and injusticeswere presented. Some of these
working women and girls had to support aged
or intrm parents, and brothers and sisters
too young to earn their living.
The object of the meeting was not to en-
courage Il strike, but TO organize a oOmbna-
ton of the working girls for their protection,
anu bring the pecuarites OF their position be-
Iore the public. There were present cloak
makers, dress makers, tassel makers, bur-
nishers, tent-makers, corset-makers, book
sewers, hoop sklrt-nakers, hat binders shirt
sewers, umbrella makers, press feeders, wool
sorterS, cap-makers, bobbin-winders vest
makers, sewing -machine operators. and SOW
eral benevolent ladies who had philanthropy
and courage enough to aid their less fortunate
sisters in this work OF duty and charity. The
statements made by the operatives were sim
pie and straig httorward, and in some instances
told with touching pathOs which brought
tears TO all eyes. They alluded to dear on IS
at home, who had been fed from their scanty
earnings, of the Sights. jeers, and insults, to
which they were subjected. Some said they
considered themselves exceedingly fortunate
if at the close of the week they had twenty
five cents left after pay ing their bills.
These working women were advised to agi.
tate the question of wages, to meet at each
others houses, and to take immediate meas
ures to and each other in prosecuting plans to
secure fair wages for their work. They were
assured that when their employers were made
fully acquainted with the facts in the several
cases brought before that meeting, they would
cheeriuly advance their pay, and relieve
themselves from the imputatiUn Of injustice,
and save their employees from the necessity
of living
In poverty, hunger and dirt,
SeNng at once with double thread,
STROUD as we'll as a skirt"