Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-27
S0UTHSIDE OPINIONS.
THE PROPOSITION VERY FAvoRARLY
COMMENTED ON BY ALL.

Manufacturers Who Are Interested In the
move-A Complaint That Some Do Not
Appreciate Such Advantage yes. Propositions
TO Supply Separate Closets for the Men.
The proposition to have wash and toilet
rooms for the workingmeu added to each
factory was very favorably commented on,
both by the manufacturers and working
men on the Southside. Several of the
maDufatucrers have already given the subject
considerable attention and have taken
initiatory measures to give the workingmen
the boon asked for. This is not only true
of workingmen, but girls, who are employed
in glass factories and al light work in some
Of the mills, such as Oliver Bros. wire
works.
Mr. Harry Oliver, of the Oliver Iron and
Steel Company, is one of the men who have
been considering the question and is fully in
sympathy with the move. When be was asked
Yesterday what he thought of the proposition
and the claims Of the men that, as things
now are, they cannot make a presentable
appearance after work, he seemed inter-
ested. Then, picking up pencil, he wrote
on a paper: II think all large factories
should have clean and we'll arranged wash
and toilet rooms for their workingmen."
This statement was "shert and sweet as
the saying goes. but to the workingmen il
means more than would appear at FIRST
glance. Oliver Bros. are fully in sympathy
with the idea of giving their employees all
the opportunity possible to make their work
pleasant However, it was learned from
several sources that they have had eonsid-
erable difficulty in their first attempts at
supplying toilet rooms.
IT, tha xrir q har af u
employed at work that, though not heavy,
soiled their clothes. A toilet room was fitted
up with looking glasses and other conven-
fences, but the girls for a time, at
least, did not appreciate the favors
shown them. Clothes were left around pro-
miscuously, looking glasses broken, etc. It
is said that at one time watchman was on
duty and the girls, who Jagged behind, were
only given a stated time to finish their
toilet.
1t is thought that to bring about the
reform, the workingmen must act in con-
junction with the employers. Many work.
ingmen appear reckless and do not appre-
ciate favors shown them in this way. There
is willingness on the part of manufacturers
as rule to give their men such adj
vantages, if it were thought that
the privileges would not be abused.
A member Of the firm Of George A. Mac
beth & Co., was one to take the above view
Of the subject. He said that his firm had
had any amount of trouble keeping IN con-
dition the most common necessities about
the factory. BE said that some of the men
go on the principle that ''Oh, we'll, the
firm is rich, what's the difference.
give it kick" He thought that the men
should appear on the street in a presentable
appearance, and as an illustration showed
the sleeve Of his coat, that had been soiled
from contact with workingman's clothes
while in a street car.
A gathering of working men, composed of
glass workers and mill-men, was approached
on the subject and all welcomed the propo-
sition as one that would lead to a much
needed reform. It was suggested that the
factories supply a regular dressing room
with small closets for those who wished to
wear one suit to work and another while 10
the mill or factory.