Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-09-01
WORRISe WOMEN.
Resu1ie OF the Hard rimes-Ten
Th0usaDd WORKING Women Idle
In n City of New YOrk.
Nav Vnrk u.-.ta

Resulie % the Hard Times-Ten
ThOusaDd working women Idle
In n City Of New YOrk.
New York Herald.
The developments attending the Her
aid Investigation OF the sWindles perpe'
trated upon sewing machine purchasers
on the instalment plan show that this is
only one Of the many trobles and tribu-
latious to which working ome are sub
jected in this city. An article was pub
hshed in these columns a few days ago
giving the condition Of the market for
female labor, in which II was stated that
no sensible d~iminution in the demand
had been experienced so far as the
larger and more important houses we're
concerned. This statement was made
upon the authority Of the employers or
their superintendents, but though these
firms give so hopeful a view Of the situa-
ton, there is good reason for believing
that fully ten thousand women are to.
day without the employment they need
to support themselves OF those depend
ent upon them. Indeed, this figure is,
if anything, below the reality, and it is
alleged by the working women that many
Of the firms are employing to-day q less
, number OF hands than they are aware
Of, owing to action Of their superintend-
ents in emitting to report discharges. In
r one case where a firm told a Herald re-
r porter that they had not removed a sin
r gle hand during the summer, but had
/, kept them on in the hope of brisker BUSH
: ness, it now appears that the superin-
Q tendent has reduced the rate OF wages
g or arranged q system Of forced fur
< loughs, Of which the proprietors are
ignorant.
As was shown in the article on uuem
ployed men, it is quite evident that the
idle working women of this city have o
n very faint prospect Of earning, during
n the coming winter, sufficient money Z
pay their necessary travelling expenses
s. This is, Of course, entirely due to th'
70 dullDess Of trade and the lack Of order
is for all kinds of manufactured goods.
:, Enough has been given to show hos
u important is the labor performed by VIC
men, for there is scarcely any articl
used in wear BY the human race tia
70 does not at some time pass under thei
hands. Even the hatters employ We
OF men in binding and sewing on swea
ew bands, while shoemakers have need
-e- female labor in stitching and binding
-. especially for ladies and children
shoes. Women ever make cigars an
Sy finish cigar boxes by pasting on the p
sss per strips and labels that ornament Their
hit and Ia some instances they even bund
mo- and pack cigars. Type founders fit
girls and women useful in rubbing 81
sorting types.
ose But all Of these industries are tod
s~tagnated, and the consequence is tn
i've the supply of labor is far in excess
the demand. The only relief to be fouI
is in a revival of trade. Judging ,rc
het present indications, this necessary
tier vival is not neal at hand, though dealt
assert that the stocks on hand are bel
rapidly depleted, and, by their natur
Is law, the time can not be far distant VIII
,ier orders will be increased and every Il
ica- tory receive a now impetus.
the When this stage is reached times .
=. be busy and the working women i
0"" abundance of employment. But wi
that day arrives both male and lem
labor will be in demand, and the b
times, now found so oppressive, will
,rict forgotten alike by employer and
Con. plcyed. In the meantime the work
women are unemployed, and are appaI
at the enforced idleness they are c.
PEELED to endure.