Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-30
FOR WORKING GIRLS.
A Beneficial Society to be Organized
by Southside Ladies.
THE BENEFITS OF IT POINTED OUT.
Good Literature and Lessons in Cooking,
Etc, Part Of the Plan.
A MASS MEETING WILL Be HGLD SOON

A number Of Southside ladies have big
scheme now under consideration for form
ing an organization OF all working girls,
By request the names Of the ladies are not
given, as they do not want publicity until
their plans are more definitely decided on.
One of the number, who is q noble worker
among all classes, said she was first led 70
become interested in the factory girls by
seeing them pass her door each day. She
went among them and visited the homes
Of some, and, associated with other
ladies, saw the good that could be
accomplished. Definite plans will not
be formulated until next week, when =
meeting will be held and an effort made to
interest the girls. It is the purpose to have
| an organization of all working girls in any
occupation. Rooms will be rented and the
government will, in some respects, re-
semble that of the Young Mems Christian
Association. The lady said that they did
not want to call it the Young Ladies'
Christian Association. The name might be
Objectionable to some, as the girls are Of all
creeds. The idea is to have the girls con-
slider that it is not a charitable or philan-
thropic move by several ladies, but one that
Will benefit them just to the extent that they
take an interest in the organization.
THE BENEFITS TO MEMBERS.
It is proposed as part of the plan to OBJ
tain work for members of the association,
who by any cause are left without q posi-
tion. It will be beneficial in its effects In
every way. If rooms are engaged on the
plan Of the 7. M. @. A., the girls could
have an opportunity to listen to good lect-
ures, would have good literature placed be-
fore them. Glasses in needle work. cooking
and all studies could be started.
The lady interviewed said that the
ultimate aim was to extend the association
to include all the working girls in the two
cities. She was very 10th to have anything
published Just yet until visits had been
paid the girls and the matter explained to
them in the way intended. Factory girls
are no worse, and are in many respects better
than other girls; however, many Of them
have not had good home induences and
could be benefited in many ways by mutual
organization. The benefits Of such an or
ganizatiOn viii not be monopolized by
working girls alone; any girl may become
member who meets the requirements.
WHAT EMPLOYERS THINK OF 1T.
Mr.. C. Evans, Superintendent for Oliver
Bros, who hire more girls than any other
firm in the two cities, said that IL any move
ment was on foot that appeared on its sur.
face to be charitable effort to ameliorate the
condition of the working girls, be was AFRAID
it would not work. He said that because
they work in mill OF factory they are no
worse than other girls. and il many eases
are better. The obedience and attention to
work required are good lessons to them.
They can look after themselves and would
resent any move of this kind.
ContinuingIhe said: "The way to benefit
them would be to look to their homes and
home influences ahd help them there.
have been askedf so often about the eondi-
tion of working tEirls that I believe viii
get an interview written out snd hand each
reporter that copes q copy Of it We hire
about 150 girls atApresent and have hired as
high as 400 They earn from 3 Is to s.
per week. Many of our girls do not live on
this side Of the riker at all They live in
Allegheny, LaWrsnceKille and all over the
two cities. A good maEFSf them are Ger
mans"
Thomas f. Stevenson, foreman at Rip
ley g Co.'s was seen by DIsPATcH re-
porter in regard to the move. H<Tid that
the motives Of the ladies were certainly
very commendable in thus endeaYoring TO
do some good among the girls; however, he
doubted If it would succeed, as the work
was harder than the ladies suppose He
said that person of sympathetic tempera-
ment on first going among these unfortu-
udIc8 Is always dIoucc4 70 ElLk OF UulIHu-
but with time, as they grow better
acquainted, their sympathy wanes and gen.
orally results in little but talk. However, q
move Of the kind proposed has never been
tried and if carried out would certainly ~
suit in much good.
WILL RESENT CHARITY.
He hardly thought it would work in Rim
ley 8 Co. .'s works, as they did not hire any
but girls who were known to be Of good
moral character. No matter whether thev
are efficient in their work or not, they are
discharged if the least thing CROOKED" is
learned regarding them. Not only does this
apply to factory hours, but the firm is per-
fectly cognizant OF the home life of the girls.
The girls will resent any move that will
look like chasing them as unfortunates to
others really in need Of physical
and moral help, shrink from any
hing that savors of philanthropy
ike that many times resorted to. This con-
lists in the ladies surrounding the subjects
% be treated and sympathlzing with them
until they feel dissatisfied with themselves
md everyone else. They feel belittled and
heir latent pride revolts at the treatment.
rhe only way to accomplish any results is
o make the girls feel by gradual educa-
ion, by actions rather words, smiles
ather than long faces that they are not
loing what they should by themselves.
There are about 40 girls employed at Rip
ey & Co.'S. Their ages range from 16 to
% years, with the majority Of the former
re. They are employed as sorters, polish
rs, washers, assistant packers and other
Iuties connected with the preparation Of
,lassware for shipment after it leaves dhe
nnealing oven and the engraver's hands.
heir work is al light and does not, as
eneral thing, require more than faithful
ess to their duties on the part Of the girls
II. Stevenson said that few Of
be girls In glass houses can
cad Of write, or have any other
ducation than that picked up by hearing
onversation- The majority have been COM
elled to assist in earning q livelihood for
themselves and other members of the family
then very young.
'sWhat first induced them to enter the
'ork?" was asked.
"You will find that with few exceptions
1ey are orphans, have drunkards for
.thers, OF from other troubles are led to
,ek what they can do. They are thus de-
rived Of early education, home influences
: any Of the comforts found in . true
ome.