Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1876-09-14
Decline of wages in new York.
From the New York Trib1ne.

cent. Those who have received high rate
of salary have been cut down more, proper
tionately, than those paid low rate. Take
the case of dry goods clerks. War times
makes little difference to them, for the reason
that the business does not require much skill
or training, and there are always fifty appli-
cants ready to fill any vacancy; conseqently
they are never able to force high rate of
wages, and always take what employers are
willing to pay. Hundreds Of well-dressed
young men receive $0 a week, work fourteen
hours a day, and live in garrets. This class
have suffered greatly this year, large num-
Der OF stores having reduced their hands on
account Of the dull times. Walters may be
placed in the same list; there is scarcely a
standard rate of wages; they have no Crgan-
ization, and take the best remuneration they
can obtain.
The average weekly earnings of woman
at the seventy three occupations open to her
in this city are $4. In 1870, the women
workers making most money were burnishers,
who earned $17 week; telegraphers, SIS;
compositors, $18; skilled lace sewers, $12 !;
machine operators, $12; hair. dressers, 50.
There are comparatively few women engaged
in these occupations, and those earning the
above wages were the most skilled OF their
number. Even in the times of high prices q
shirt-makcr could not earn more than 81 a
week, q paper-ruler So, and seamer from
81 to So. To-day there are few female COM
positors who can earn more than $12 a week,
while the average amount paid female tele-
graphic operators will not exceed $40. Burn
ishers now earn at piece-Work 50 to $l2. In
the department of dressmaking and millinery
prices have fallen greatly within a year. In
1872, and until 1875, the regular price asked
by dressmakers, sewing by the day, was So 50
and So. AT present any number can be had
for 81 80 q day, with their meals. The reason
for this is that ladies economiZe in the matter
Of dress. Dressmakers report that compara-
lively few valuable silks are now made;
domestic goods are the fashion. Suits which
cost $15 to have made are now done for So,
and some of the best houses in town offer to
make elaborately trimmed dresses for $25,
which two years ago would have cost from
$40 to $50. Milliners, formerly paid $12 a
week, now receive $S or $40. Operators on
sewing machines have become SO numerous
that the pay has been greatly reduced. In
1872 a good operator could earn from $S to
$12 weekly; now Sc is considered good pay.
For many years the female ''help' have
had things their own way, and up to 1874
wages steadily advanced, until few girls were
willing to live out for less than $14 month,
and many asked $16 and even $18 Enforced
economy, however, compelled many families
to reduce the number of servants, and in
many instances housekeepers are doing the
work themselves. The intelligence offices
are now crowded with women, and girls
seeking situations, and who are willing to
hire out for $40 or $12 month. Good cooks
are most in demand, and these obtain the
highest rate OF wages.
Comparing the amount of the reduction
made in the wages of mechanics with the de-
crease in the price of the necessaries of life
and house rent, it is apparent that the condi-
ton of men having regular employment is
better to-day than in 1870, 1871, or 1872. For
example, in 1872, barrel of flour, "State'
brand, cost $6 so, the lowest price in the
market. Now the quotations for the same
brand are $3 so and So Is. This is a reduc-
ton of 40 per cent In the case Of many
other staple articles similar reduction is
shown, particularly in tea, meat and butter.
Comparatively the purchasing capacity of a
mechanics wages to-day exceeds that in 1872.
AS there are now thousands out of employ
ment, it is thought that the present rate of
wages will not be retained another season.