St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-10-07

ZI39 w ynd infsr2 aDSTt
of employers. The merchants are
nearly all courteous, although they
must have from fifty to seventy-five APP
plicatiOnS every day from people who
want work. Sometimes when | ask to
see the proprietor, and after penetrating
to his Sanctum find him quite busy, |
would fam excuse myself for intruding,
take the elevator and be dropped to the
ground story once more. l sometimes
wonder that business men are so court
eOuS; but I'm glad that they are, be-
cause it doesn't lacerate ones feelings
so much to be refused employment in
polite tones.
Among the pleasant employers |
found Mr.. O'Neil, manager of the new
dry goods store on Eighth street and
NicOllet. | went up with the thrOng
who applied for places and saw that he
accepted all who could furnish good
references, even if they had no expert
ence. In speaking of the treatment of
help he said that it pays financially, if
no other way, to treat help as if they
were intelligent human beings, MAX
ing as few rules as possible. Clerks feel
ing that their employer is interested in
their welfare will do good work and
look out for an employers interest with
out much discipline. Mr.. O'Neil also
said that he advanced help in proper
ton as they showed a disposition to be
faithful and industrious. | am glad to
have met an employer who holds such
liberal views and intends to put them
into practice. l hold the same opinion
as that quoted, and hope to see as re-
suit that the employees of that store will
be happy and prosperous. L shall visit
that establishment often and see how
the plan works.
-
A charitable lady of this city said to
me one day: "NOw Eva, I'll get you a
place to do light sewing in a fashion
able dressmaking establishment; but
you must be quiet and work steady" !
promised, because / was tired of walk
ing about and having no settled habita-
ton. Taking my written recommends
ton | applied for work. The dress
maker, Mrs. StOughtOn, was thin,
sharp-viSaged woman. Her hair was
pulled and curled in such funny style
that l stared at it in wonder and forgot
to be polite. She smiled seductively
and asked what she could do for me.
GIVE me place to work, please" l
replied, fishing my fattering refer
ences from the depths of my
pocket. Her face settled into Medusa-
like expression. but she put me to work.
was shy and ignorant for three whole
days, letting others do the talking.
There were five or six other girls in the
shop. Some were Scandinavian, who
couldn't be induced to grumble in an
audible tone unless paid for it by the
square inch. The Irish and American
girls weren't so patient. They talked in
no uncertain tone when Mrs. Stoughton
wasn't about. We were always in
rush. Some days we had hardly time
enough to eat our dinner. If a customer
was cross our employer smiled blandly
and vented her wrath on the girls. We
never dared to answer for fear of adding
fuel to the flame. l staid a week.
1t seemed year. The mornings
wOnld pass fairly well, but in the aft
ernOOn, when the sun poured into our
dingy work room, making the air hot
and sitting, it seemed as if six o'clock
would never come. There was little
dog tied out in the next room; when
Mrs. StOughtOn scOlded, he hOwled a
dismal accompaniment. L cried one
afternoon. and was locked for time
thus spent. The first day | threw aside
my work at six o'clock, and dOnned my
street garb without delay:
Say you, new girl, where are you
going" screamed the dreSSmaker.
''GOing home," replied.
swell, you can't go home; here's
lot of work to be finished tonight, and
you must stay, just like all the rest of
the girls" We had rather a lengthy
argument, but l Staid Just the same.
Every night in the week we worked,
without supper, until eight or nine
o'clock. From the girls conversation
gathered that our employer wasn't
prompt in paying her help. One girl
had left with unpaid wages amounting
to $50. Another was hopelessly await
ing the payment of $50 due her.
''I'd like my pay. Pm going to leave"
said at 10 p. m. Saturday night.
'HOw much do L owe you?" inquired
madame, haughtily.
"You promised me at least IS per
week, and Ive worked eighteen hours
overtime, which makes my bill $780,"
answered.
wish l could describe the exhibition
of wrath which followed. The girls all
fled, leaving US alone. Evidently no
girl had ever before asked payment for
overtime. Mrs. StOughton thought
girl had right to put in any amount of
overtime in order to have the privilege
of working every day. l told her that
some firms pay time and half for over
time, and she didn't believe me.
didn't get any pay that evening. l
have been after that small amount three
times. If | should add mileage or street
car fare for every time go until it is
paid, what pretty little bill it would be.
Every girl in the shop worked eigh-
teen hours overtime that week. The
average wages were IS per week. There
were six girls, which made los hours
overtime, at 81 cents an hour, total of
SIS worth of work for which the dress
maker refused to pay anything. If she
gains that much in one week off her
help, the amount saved In one year
would be over s700. Add to this the
fact that she does not pay her help
promptly for regular time, and it is APP
parent that further comment is unnec-
essary.
~
In sauntering about town l stepped
into Turpin's 5 and 10-cent store on Mic
ollet avenue. At the rear of the store
one of the clerks seemed much grieved
over something. She tried to be at
tentive and courteous, but looked so
unhappy that / yentured to ask: "Why