New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-24
Decline of Wages In New York.

The reduction varies from ten to twenty
per cent. Those who have received high
rate of salary have been ont down more,
proportionately, than those paid low
rate. Take the case Of dry goods clerke.
War times make little difference to them,
require much skill or training, and there
are always fifty applicant ready to fill any
vacancy; conee quentiy they are never able
to force high rato OF wages, and always
take what employers are willing to pay.
Hundreds Of well dressed young men re-
ceive Sc week, work fourteen hours day,
and live in garret3. This class has suffered
greatly this year, large number of stores
having reduced their hands on account OF
the dull times. Walters may be placed in
the same list; there is scarcely stsnda4
rate Of wages; they have no Orgeuiza.io
and take the best remuneration they can
obtain.
TIE average weekly earnings Of a woman
at the seventy-thrce rccu oations open to
her in thia city ares4. In 1870, the women
workers making most money were bu1nlsh-
ers, who earned 81 weex; talegraphers
SIS, compositors SIS, skilled ]; oe sewers
$l2, machine operat ,rs Sl2, heir d1t,sers
50. There are comparatively few women
engaged in these occupa. lons, eud those
earning the above wages were the most
skilled Of their nrmber. Even IN the times
of high prices shjrt'maker could not earn
more than 81 a week, q paper. ller IS, and
few female compositors who can earn noIo
than $l2 week, while the average amount
paid female teleg1aphic operators will not
exceed $40. Burnishers now earn at
piece work s. to &l2. In the deparS-
ment OF dressmaking and millinery prices
have fallen greatly within year. 1n 1872,
and until 1875, the reg llar price asked by
;v,c, hv>H H1o
and So. At present any number can be
had for 81 so q day, with their meals. The
reason for this is that ladies economic in the
matter of dIess. Dressmakers report that
comparatively few valuable silks are now
made; domestic goods are the fashion. Suits
which cost SIS to have made are now done
for s., 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 week. now receive $8 or $lO.
Operators on sewing machines have become
so numerous that the pay ha, b.;Gu greatly
reduced. In 1872 q good operator could
earn from S8 to $l2 weekly; now IS is con-
sidered good pay.
For many years the female "help" have
had things their own way, and. up to 1874,
were willing to live ont for less than ga
month, and many asked SIC and even 4l8.
Enforced economy, however, compelled
many families to reduce the number of SER
wants, and in many instances hOusekeepers
are doing the work themselves. The intel
ligence offices are now crowded with women
and girls seeking situations, and who are
willing to hire out for SO or $l2 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
decrease in the price of the necessaries Of
life and house rent, it is apparent that the
condition OF men having regular employ
ment is betteHto.dsy than in 1870. 1871 or
1872. For example, in 1872 barrel of
-four, estate" brand, cost Sc so, the lowest
price in the market. This week the quota
tions for the same brand were 50 5O03 IS.
This is a reduction of forty per cent. In
the case of many other staple articles a
similar reduction is shown, particularly in
tea. meat and butter. Comparatively the
purchasing capacity Of mechanics wages
today exceeds that in 1872. As there are
now thousands out of employment, it is
thought that the present rate of wages will
not be retained another season.-NeD York
Tribune