New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-01
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
CURRENT THEMES DISCUSSED.
RELATIVE WAGES OF nEs AND wonxz

RELATIVE WAGES OF mEs woMKs.
To .fhs EDITOR Of re rrfbHHe.
SIR: Much is said and written about the
inequality OF wages for and women, and I. N
manufacturer employing many hands. AMI knowing
whereof write, wish to state facts, which, II
known ignored by writers speakers on the
subject In speaking OF establishment, vtsh 10
dersocd that but represents hundredsof other similar
establishments We employ between and two hun
dred operatives. OF whom about threequArters
the average wages Of boys. girls rDeB and
being about the same the fraction of difference being
with the women. About Oae-haR % the women are
what might be called skilled the OF machinery
mending. cutting folding, &c. These make from n u
% nearly " per day average little than o. 50 per
day, with good board from o. e per week Many
girls work by the side OF father brother and
81 rs or in fewer hours than the father brother
earns his 81 So II IL not unusual 70 lear complain
that sister. daughter. wife. perhsps
money than they Furthermore the business IA divided
into four Departments foreman In cash and each fore
receives - per day, and Of the q
Good steady, skilled feminine labor - scaroe. and am
ashamed to say hat too many American born girls
brother aud live life of genteei poverty than
the luxury OF the Independence which these bright
faced healthy, contented mill girls enjoy, large share
OF whom foreign born. or but esneraton removed
therefrOm.
Ill places especially adapted 10 their nimDle ringers,
but not requiring much physical strength ana Know
and sometimes vexed az the Ignorance shown BY writers
aud speakers when handling the question OF the reiA
tive wages OF and women. OF course, my expe-
rienoe confined ~ manufacturing interests outside OF
largest There, elsewhere the poor stfisr
and perhaps oppressed, but presume y not con-
lined sex. UnqpestiOnaDy there are men who would
Oppress their operatives II they could and make more
money da,ng; but II "a universally conceded by
manufacturers aud business that II IL the best
policy 70 pay rood prices for good work and laborers
are too scarce and too great demand, and cOnse
guenty too independent stay long with any who
shows dsp position ~ get good work az less than its
market value.
The great labor questions OF the day DO propose
20 discuss here simply intended 70 call attention 10
the fact tha the manufacturing interest Of our country
requires feminine labor, at good, and think
better wages than obtained by II many VI those
who talk write leArnedy on this subject would
investga the financial condition OF the women opera
tves In such a COnOes. ". Y, other man
ufaoturIng town. they would II honest reverse many
speeches and writings, and admit that for wO
men wiling % Eork there ample Opportunity at good
wages THE TRIBUNE editorials ara more Just, aud
show knowledge OF this subject than Is generally
shown by the metropolitan press Also, MISS Anna
Dickinson this subject most Others Is generally
correct aud always sDie Iwsh, once more 70 repeat
that skilled feminine artisans are more dhoult "a OBJ
tain masculine WORKERS, aud, when found, com
maud least good wages; and turthermores young
girls. unsed. COMMAND As good wages as boys or the
sane age and experience. What have written Know
regards the manuiScure OF knit goods and
Beneve IL true regards the manufacture OF all cotton
ana wooden fAnr1cs throughout our and ABv.
BenH-igt0H, w., March .. lS7s