The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-27
WORKING WOMEN.
Results of the Hard Times Among
Female Laborers.
Ten Thousand Women Idle
in New York.
HOW ARE THEY TO LIVE!

Tho developments attending the HERALD invcstig,-
ton Of the s~ndcs perpetrated upon sewing machias
purchasers on the nslamcnt plan show that this 10
only one OF tho many troubles and trIbuations 10
which working women are subjected In this CITY, IN
article published IN these columns few days ago,
giving the condition OF the market Tor female labor In
which It stated that sensible dninution in tho
demand had been experienced lar tho larger and
more important houses concerned This state.
ment made upon the authority OF the employers
their superintendent but though these firms give 80
hopeful view OF situation there is good for
believing that FULLY To- 900 to-day without the
employment they need to support themselves or those
dependent upon them. Indeed this hgurc Is, If any.
thing below the reality ard Is alleged by the work.
ing that many of the firms arc employing to-
day u less number OF hands than they aware OF,
OWING to the action OF their superintendents in
emitting 10 report discharges In one case, where
firm Told HERALD reporter that they had not removed
a single hand during the summer but had kept them
in the hope briskcr business 1t appears that
the superintendent has reduced tho ratio OF wages OF
arranged system Ct iorcod burroughs, OF which The
propretors are ignorant.
As was shown in the article on unemployed mcn, 10
is quite evident that the Idle working women Of this
city have very faint prospect OF earning, during thd
coming winter sufficient money to pay their necessary
living expenses This Is, OF course, entirely due 10
tho du!ness o! trade and the lack Of orders for all
kinds OF manufactured goods. II may be vol hero to
state the different occupations and trades in which
women and girls lind their means OF livelihood. Paper
collar making is leading industry; Tor Unfolding,
crimping punching and sorting the iacile fingers Of
are found to be no, only tho cheapest but the
most expert Millions upon millions OF paper collars,
of all Sizes styles and desert pons made annually
in this city. The capital employed Is very large, and
it estimated that nearly 1000 female
hands OF all ages arc employed by tho vari-
Gus companies and firms Paper box making
IL also leading industry Tor female labor II Is Won
cortu how wide tho range OF this manufacture Is IN
size anu description. From the little pill box often
seen drug 10 tho coarse straw box for hats
these women make
A MuLrIpARious CATALOGUE
OF paper boxes Boxes for gloves, boxes for pencils,
for spoos for waters, Tor candy Tor glassware iof
bottles all are made by womei Boxes Tor the dry
goods form leading line In this description vt
goods the wholesale houses use Almost every sort
and size Little Hat draw boxes oblons square, round,
horseshoe and fancy boxes are made by the ihoas =
and used pack up buttons pins, susendcrs, laces,
gloves, notous, needles, hosiery lingerie and the
and articles that go TO make up tho huge
stocks IN trade known dry goods Tho fur dealers
ais use paper b.xes large extent, and all OF these
are made expressly Tor that trade being Of peculiar
shane aud size Flat triangular boxes tor collurs,
! and drums, with side tor muns ana cuffs
found this branch oi the business. Indeed, II IL
unicult TO lind any branch OF manufacture that does
| not need paper boxes Weaving patent looms
also lcading industry in Tins city, and ON these are
woven slastic suspcndcrs, tape, gimp and other light
is perhaps the most extensive line OF employment,
owing TO the tact that tho workwomen can perform
their labor home But II Is the worst paid and most
unsatisfactory labor that tails TO the lot OF women In
Decd would surprise The readers of tho HERALD 70
| know how poorly paid are these sowing women.
chd's suit made Ui linen Marseillcs Is frequently
adc different sets OF hands. Beng cut out a.
the factory by the dozen tho pieces are given out 70
the embrodercr or orader, us the case may be, Who
proceeds to nament the goods according to the de-
SYN stamped Jr this the women seldom
receive than cent per yard. and were II nos
tor sewing machines This class OF work would NOS
afford the poor wages earned. To em6roidcr
chd'g dress as described II sometimes requires hal
day, anu then the pattern Is only simple one Thus
VIII bc that nn entire week Is often required u
e,nproider obtained the average rate oil
remuneration beng from SIS TO $50 per week. Have
ing been embroidered the sets pass ute
Tho hands OF the sewer, who usually receives
from twenty-five to nity cents per suit, tho
weekly average OF wages being from IS TO $40 Feather
making. as It is called. is also business Tor which
women ore adapted Making feathers consists Of
.sctting up' the feathers Used IN decorating ladies'
hats military shakos and ladies' dress trimmings.
The feathers are sold, Of all aud colors, but
their raw exhibit OF the beauty or symmetry
found in tho manufactured article. Only wings Of
used In their natural state ~ 10 color buo
even those are frequently up' to initiate nature.
1t would be useless to cnumcrate tho sources iron
which feather makers draw their materials Every do
scription Of bird and FOWL pays
| TRIBUTE TO THIS MANUFACTURES.
and the work. omen with the aid vi dyes and clever
anpuiaon, contrve to make up feathers entirely d't-
IRON the natural article Ostrich feathers, Tor
Instance, are elongated, crnpcd and trimmed untt
they assume proportions which would slart!e tho brds
whose bodies they arc drawn aud there Is no end
to tho diversity IN form and color that Is attained
Enough has been gwen to Sow how important 10
the lnbor performed by womon for there Is scarcely
any article used by tho human race that docs
not at some time pass thor hands Even tho
hattors employ women binding and sewing on sweat
bands while shoenakers have need OF female labor n
s,itchng and binding especially Tor ladies' and chill.
dren's shoca Women even mako cigars and hash
by FASTING the paper strips and labels
that ornament h, M and In some instances they even
rl.f nuek Vine