The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-09
THREE DOLLARS A WEEK.
The Store Girls of New York-Hard Labor
and Poor Fare.
New York Herald.


| and Poor Fare.
New York Herald.
The investigation recently made by the Herald
into the condition of New York shirt makers has
had twofold result. 1t has stimulated tho
Central Labor Union to devote some of it's en-
ergy toward the amelioration of the condition or
ten thousand suffering woaen, and it has pro
vided observation-disclosures with reasons which,
in their opinion, justify the formation of an or
ganlzauon to protect not only the sfirt-Inakers,
but also the store girls of the city. The attain
ment of the latter object, in the opinion Of those
who have given much thought to the subject, is
eminenty desirable, for the reason that on It
depends the spiritual and bodily welfare of no
mean proportion of the population.
AS proof of this statement it is said that no
class of workers in America is worse paid and
subjected TO more indignities than store girls
Their hours Of labor are long They are rarely
permitted to rest their aching limbs. The at
mosphere they breathe is unhealthy Their
scanty food is eaten so hastily that digestion is
impaired. Their wages are so low that to those
who have only studied the sunny side of life it is
marvel how they manage to support themselves
III fine, their lives are one long round of miser-
able, illrewarded drudgery
is it any wonder" said a gentleman to Her
aid reporter yesterday. ''that girls who can only
make So by honest labor--and there are hundreds
of girls III this city who are paid no more-sac-
rifce their souls in order to provide their bodies
with food and raime ut7 Storekeepers require
their employees to be we'll dressed, and barely
give them enough wages to pay for their lOdg-
ings. The consequence IS that unless a girl can
get her support at home, she is forced either to
live on bread and water or to lead life Of
shame. Any man in his senses can
| understand that women cannot feed
and clothe themselves decentiy on
3d. or 81, or So week, and that, as all of
them cannot be supported by their parents, it is
fearfully hard for many of them to keep them
selves from suicide. Any policeman could tell
you the same story, and it is only those who caIl
never be convinced that the poor suffer any in
justice who would dare to deny it."
A pale emaciated girl gave the reporter some
| account of her experiences In Third avenue
store. ut was bakery she said, ''and my
o'clock in the morning till late at night got
half an hour for lunch. but never had any
appetite to enjoy it, the air was always
close and sitting. Sometimes / had to
work till midnight, but got no extra money,
only weak cup OF tea and thin slice of
bread. Once or twice I told the boss that
| could not support myself on my wages but he
only laughed and told me if did not like them
to go elsewhere as he could get hundreds of
girls who would be only too glad to take my
place. told him once that as the price of flour
had fallen he could afford to give me an extra
dollar every week, but he said that no matter
what the price of flour was, he would think him
self big fool If he gave any girl more than she
was worth. When saw that it was no use, and
that my clothes were getting too shabby to re.
main with him any longer left him and went
to the home of some kind friends, who have taken
care of me ever since My employer got girl
left; SO you see there are hundreds of
poor girls willing to work for So week. Some
of my companions in the store got So week,
and few got 81 They all dressed better than
/ did, though how they managed it the Lord
only knows Some of them had comfortable
home and well to- do parents, but others, know,
had no friends and lived in lodgings None of
them were strong, but somehow they contrived
to work steady and seldom made any complaint.
| was quite healthy when went there, but the
long hours and the want of fresh air, and, sup
pose, the want of good food took almy strength
away and left me as weak as q kitten. Now.
however, thank God l am nearly myself
again"
How can these girls be helped?" is a question
to which many persons answer, Organize them
in such a way that their employers cannot avoid
paying them decent wages"
To those who object that women have cot the
esprit de corps which is the life and soul of sue
cessful union it is pointed out that not alone the
printers trade union, butmany others also, have
admitted them within their ranks and have
found them excellent members. That some such
union, embracing ali the working girls of this
city, will be formed within brief period is con-
fidently asserted.
s'We have been at work on this business" said
a gentleman interested in the labor movement
who desired that his name should not be pub
lished ''for some months, and are beginning at
last to see our way clearly. The girls are on tho
qui vive and are ready to give US all the help in
their power Few know that any such organiza-
ton is being formed. Secrecy is always best
until ones plan is perfected. Take my word for
it, though, that the girls of New York will have
a union before they are many months older"
The Central Labor Union has as yet given no
notice of its intention to form such union;
nevertheless it is stated on good authority that
men connected with the union are the head and
front of the movement and that the support OF
all who are interested in the welfare of the
working girls will be readily given to it.