New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-12
A NOVEL LABOR UNION.
AIMS OF THE WORKING woMEN's SOCIETY

MISS VAN nrTFN TALKS ABOUT SOME OF THE
FEATURES OF HER NEW VENTURE.
The Wockingwomen's Society recently organ-
lied here N the outcome Of the labon OF Miss IDA
Van Essen among the working wcmen and girls OF
the CITY, the organization having the approval and
SUPPORT Of the Rev. DR.. Huntington Josephine
Shore Lowell and many other persons VINO W.
tercst themselves in labor problems. The Hrst
meeting was held November at Pythagoras Hall
IN Onnai-st., and was we'll attended by women to
whom n Is Van Etten had given special invita-
tons Subsequent meetings have been character
tied BY decided growth. both in attendance ana
IN interest The movement Is taking root IN spte
of many outside hindrsBccs and inherent ditfcul-
sies and promises ere long to make itself felt In
the labor world.
Such is the opinion Of Miss Van Etten, who, In
a conversation with q Tribune reporter recently
said: MEN do not realize the terrible situation
Of over one hundred thousand struggling working
women in this city. Their condition is really
appalling, and 1t Is impossible for them to help
themselves. They must have assistance from with
out or they are lost. Yes, know it is an old
story but II is true and tragic to-day as ever
IL was, and it behooves US to think Of correctves
instead of pooh-poohing this crime as an old
story"
"Win you please state. Miss Van Etten, some
of the objects of your oraanizationp'
Our frst aim Is to q central society
When this is once fairly established it wall collect
informa ton and assist each trade in which women
hborcrs employed, 10 form union LOT its
own interests. The objects thenceforward Will be
similar TO those of other labor organizations, 10
see that members are fairly PAID and decently
treated by employers, and to aid ana INSTRUCT
women who have to work for their daily bread
i am anxious to introduce provision with special
reference to domestic service. / have information
which leads me believe that there is a field Tor
a practically unlimited number of really well
qualified cooks and housenaids. am in favor
OF sending many women as possible 10 the
country for such positions as their chances there
are better than in the city. One our objects
will he to See that women are not overworKed or
imposed upon and another TO haNe them Trained 1Or
their work. For this we mean to establish
training school as soon as We can .,
I've shall also endeavor to make women famll-
lar with the State laws which concern them.
Many of these are at present dead letters owing
in part to the ignorance and docnty OF working
women, and in part to the want OF humanity
among employers For instance there are many
cases in which seats for shop girls have been
provided in accordance with the law, and the
girls are fined if they dare to use them, i4 TS
Huntington says that many cases have been
brought to his notice IA which the fines amounted
To all the poor creatures had earned In the
COLLAR and cuff trade an ironer who damages one
piece is decked" for the amount she would earn
by ironing a dozen. So it is all the way through.
The women are at the mercy of men, who often
lack much Of being worthy the name, coarse
and brutal creatures, who not only suppress but
often insult the women and girls in their employ
THE persons too, who are guilty OF offences like
these would laugh at you II you tried to threaten
them with arrest. 1t is difficult enough. as the
world knows, even for a with friends,
Influence and wealth. to get any satisfaction from
q man who wrongs her. How hopeless. then, Is
the poor unknown girl who must work from day
light till dark, and often far into the night TO
keep starvation from the garnet where she lives.
Such wemen are dupcd and aiken advantage of In
every way that cunning devise, and then, II
they do not quietly submit, they are tainted and
insulted. Even where they are treated with fair
degree of consideration they are shamefully un-
derpaid, and nothing will assure them the
return which is the due OF their hard work, eX-
oept a powerful organization backed up by
healthy public opinion"