Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-02-10
FROM WASHINGTON.
Examina ion of the Labor Question
Continued.

WASHINGTON, Feb 9.
The examination of Frank NJ. Foster Of
Cambridge Mass. continues before the Sen
ate Committee on Education and Labor. Mr..
Foster said that most of the tenement houses
in manufacturing cities of Massachusetts,
were owned by mill owners, and that the
lessees were compelled to furnish so many
operatives. The houses are generally small,
ill-ventilated and uncomfortable, and opera
tives are compelled to live in the company's
houses, or be dismissed. The sewerage and
sanitary facilities are horribly bad, and on
summer nights, the stencil from pools is
overpowering. The French Canadians are to
New England what the Chinese are to Cali
fornia and the Pacific Coast. Their morals
are lower, their necessities fewer, and their
only aim seems to be how much money they
can get to take out of the country. They do
not wish their children to actend school and
when compelled to send them. often move to
another place. They seldom accept the right
of franchise. Out of population of 1858
in thirty-two cities in New England, only
1896 are naturalized and 1859 property
owners.
Foster spoke strongly against the employ
ment of children of tender years. In Massa-
chusetts there is a law against the employ
ment in mills of children under ten years.
and providing that those from ten to fourteen
must attend school thirteen weeks in the
year. This law does not include little cash
BOYS and girls employed in large numbers in
city stores. These little ones are not old
enough in many cases to be out from under
the eye IF mother, and are here employed
during the busy season from 8 A. M. until
9 or 10 p. NJ. The weary look of these little
ones toward the close of their days work is
truly pitiful.
Girls employed as shopwomen are paid on
! an average of 50 so per week, and out of this
they are expected to board themselves and
provide for all necessities of life, and to dress
themselves well. Society demands that they
should be virtuons, yet with the meagre sti-
pend received, and the snares often thrown
around them by those over them. it is not
wonderful that many fall. The firms of
Jordon, Marsh & Co., and Macullar, Will
liams Co., of Boston, are shining excep-
tons to most firms.
The former have provided larger hall
the commercial rent value of which is 500,
600 per year. in which their employees can
meet in social way, use as a reading room
or give dancing parties in. Over year ago
this firm established fund. to which each
week each employee contributed a very
| small sum. Last summer they all drew lots
and the lucky ones went to Europe under the
direction of members of the firm
The condition of the mill girl is to be de-
plored. AWAY from home influences and
restraints, thrown often among those de-
PRAYED Of both sexes IN low tenement houses
what wonder is it that their morals are too
often low? speak advisedly. that the city
of Lowell, Mass, alone. presents a wide
field for phlaIthropic work. There is more
need there and a better object than the build
ing of places for decayed gentlewomen or
donating large sums to Harvard College
Large strides have been made in Boston
towards giving working people the benefit of
art galleries and libraries by opening them
Sunday. Fosters examination will be con-
tinued tomorrow