Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-01-17
WOMAN'S DEPARTMENT.
BUSINESS ABILITY.
Women are Equal to Men in Many and Elk
eel In Some Lines of Trade,

1
So much has been said and writer
about women in their relation to bust
ness that it seems as if the subject ha6
been almost exhausted. But to womel
generally, and to a great many men, i
| is always one of interest. From the
day when woman's only sphere was hel
home, till the day when every sphere
belongs to her, if she will only take it
there has been q slow but sure growth
An inquirer among some of the prom
inent merchants who employ women
as well as among women who are them
selves in business, found out that they CO
incide entirely. Without any one hear,
ing what another had to say, or with.
out any direct question bearing upon
the several topics being asked, talk
with one echoes the conversation with
others.
''Can and do women equal men in
business?" said merchant, repeating
the question that was asked. They
can, and are found the equal of men in
all branches of business if they simply
apply themselves and persevere.
as there any limit to the positions
they may occupyP"
mo avenue is closed to them which
they choose to enter. While the idea
has not been adopted in this city, there
is rarely dry goods store in Philadel-
phia where women are not employed
in the dress goods department. They
are supposed to have much better
knowledge of dress materials for their
own sex than men have"
Are they made responsible?"
They have entire charge of depart
ments, and are solely responsible for
the whole department, and with the
possible exception being secondary to
the manager of the whole concern, are
as free to control the working as if
they owned it. But they are most pro-
fcient in the millinery departments,
which are generally in charge of wo-
men, and girl entering as an appren-
tice has a good opportunity for adj
vancement 1t all depends upon the
woman. If she is really anxious to ad-
vance, and puts forth her best efforts
continually, she is very apt to be ap-
preciated and rewarded"
what is the ratio of excellence?"
'1n stores where thirty men and the
same number of women have the same
labor, the percentage of those who sue
coed and advance will be equal, with
the chances in favor of the women.
There is a difference between the mar
ried women or widows and the unmar-
ried women. With the former it is
generally necessary for them to work,
and often they have others to support
They may have had a sad life and turn
to constant employment as the surest
panacea, or there are a thousand and
one reasons why they should labor,
while the great difficulty with young
women is the looking forward to mar
riage, when they expect to leave such
labor and enjoy a comfortable leisure.
One would suppose that a girl would
and laces sufficient to take good care of
them, but they do not always, and more
men are employed in this department.
Yet how well woman could go into the
ribbon and lace business and make a
trade for herself. But woman can do
well in the grocery, in jewelry in gar
dening, in the conservatory. in gloves,
shoes-almost any speciality
she chooses to adopt"
''How about the dairy business?"
at has always seemed strange to me
that women did not do more of that
business. There is always a demand
for fowls. eggs, feathers chicken
bones are not despised, but have use.
Here in the gas belt, where heat is
cheap and so little trouble, a winter
product would pay enormously. This
talk only relates to those women with
whom l am associated and whom
know directly. There is large class
of brilliant women in every class of
business, who control great estates
occupy high positions everywhere.
Their name is legion and their fame
ANY large salaries paid here?n
"a large number of women in this
city receives salaries ranging from $500
to 81, 800 year, and few who exceed
that amount. The majority average
from five dollars to ten dollars week,
and a few receive less than that. The
principal cause of women getting the
starvation wages they do, in the work |
Of making overalls and many other |
is with the buying woman her
self. She wants to give only seventy
i've cents for pair of overalls. The
in them costs sixty-Gve cents,
md the greater portion of the advance |
1T which it is sold the merchant thinks |
ne ought to have, so this leaves but a |
mere pittance for the one who put the |
garment together, and they get for a |
lozen an amount that ought to be paid |
or the making of one. The shirt waist |
s another article on which there is |
10 profit for the sewer. A woman
wants a good shirt waist for seventy
i've cents it takes two yards and half |
Of material, four buttons, at least, for
he front and as many for the belt. She
inds she can not get good one for
cents, so thinks she will |
make one herself. The two and half
Tards will amount to more than twenty
i've cents; she has her buttons, thread
md labor to add to it, and yet this will
De the very woman who feels sorry for
he women who slave in factories, and
lot willing to pay enough for a gar