The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-09
WHAT THEY ARE FINDING.
THE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE
STILL MAKING REVELATIONS.
Russian and Polish Jews Reduced the
Wages Of Poor Workingwomen to
Almost Nothing - Contracts with
Foreigners.

New YORK, Aug. S.--The immigration
investigation by the congressional commit
tee took now turn today. When the
committee assembled pcasant-faced
young woman was sworn. She gave her
name rs Mary Berg, and for six years past
she had worked for Herman Berg, flannel
shirt maker on East Forty-flrst street.
When she went there 200 girls were EN-.
employed working on foot machines.
About year ago steam was put in and
forty or fifty Russians and Poles were EN-.
ployed, taking the places OF the majority
of the girls. Previous To the employment
Of the foreigners the girls made from 50 to
IS week. Now they can only make s. a
week. She has known married men TO
take the places Of the girls and work for 81
week. She heard the proprietor ask ono
OF the foreigners employed there II lac could
not get him more Of his countrymcn. lie
told him he could but would have 10 send
to Europe for them. He told him TO send
and get all he could. There had been
continual reduction in wages since the
ipi'lEh'lo w lllt IutiOII. fNllt ltII
there this week on account Of reduction
in the scale Of wages She declared that
a shirt that was made for 90 cents in 1884
X now made for 40 cents, and one that
was then made for 81 IN now made for 80.
She said many Of these Russians and Poles
work here and save money, then 20 home
and spend u and return again 10 make
more. She knew one man who saved
GI NM haEa and Lnp,.. L.. L..
vested II IN business and lost IL. He re-
pcnted the experiment, and IL now back
here for the third time and working for
y u week IN place OF girls who had been
discharged.
MH. Helen Aukner then took the
stand. She IL employed in making rub
Der goods About one year ago she did
some work at making white goods for tho
purpose Of investigating the rate II wages
paid and tho condition OF those engaged in
It, She found that an expert could not
earn - week. Tho average was about
~, while ten years ago they could make
$40 week. She ascribcd this solely 10
the giving out Of the work to contractors.
These contractors, she said, are Russian
and Polish Jews, who take the work home.
The work IL not 10 well done by these con-
h"'A''o W ~ NsAn i'iAN'lAl ny Allt klllH, DNl
the manufacturers save largo sums in rent
and other waya. Witness never found "A
person who worked for contractor who
made - n week. She had closely invcsti.
gated the habits Of these foreign laborers,
and gave Il M her opinion that they are
not only filthy and immoral in their mode
OF life, but their example Is calculated 10
contnminatc our own people. who have 10
mix with them more or less She do.
scribed sights % be most revolving.
Francois Glouton. French knitlcr. had
been imported at their expcnsc, aud un-
der written contract by McCullum, Con.
stable q Co., Of lloyloke. lie swore and
produced copy OF the contract.
DIR. Charles lloyt, secretary Of the Slpic
board Of charities, was sworn. lilo said |
the proportion Of foreign paupcrs in this
State was iorty-sevcn times that Of native |
pauperA. Witness said lac had particulars |
OF hundreds Of eases which were assisted
10 this country. The Canadian people
did not want these people and ~ fast ~
they landed there, sent thcm over. Wit.
ness did not think that any other State
felt these evils n much ~ New York, in
10 It's population. but lac
thought Michigan was beginning TO feel il
and will feel IL more.
Adjourned