Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-03-28
soMErHINe Ike THE Rose.
A Boycott Can BE Made just As Effective
Under Any other Name.

A Boycott Can BE Made Just as Effective
Under Any other Name.
The agitation in New York city on be-
half of saleswomen and cash girls is
taking practical shape. Several efforts
to assist these overworked and under
paid creatures haves been made hereto
| fore, with very small results, but it looks
now as If something will be done. The
present movement is being pushed by a
number Of well known and influential
women, many of whom belong to the
| upper ten thousand" While the work
ing women's unions are not taking an
active part, they are in sympathy with
the movement, and will give it all the
help they can.
The organization which has taken up
the clerks cause is known as the "Con-
sumers' league" Mrs Charles Russell
Lowell is the president, and in the list
Of officers are the names of several other
prominent women. 1t is said that "there
is no boycotting system in the Consum-
ers' league" but that will not make any
difference, as the president says: 1--WE
shall let the public know which stores
treat their employees properly. We will
publish the names of such stores soon,
and the public will have the opportunity
to distinguish between the fair houses
and the other kind" The following cir
cular has been sent to the heads of the
large retail houses in the city in which
women are employed;
The Consumers league of the city of New
York In its constitution declares its object TO
be tho following: To aneliorate the condition
Of the women and children employed in the re-
tail mercantile houses Of this city by patron.
izing as far as practicable, only such houses a.
approach in their conditions to the STANDARD
of Fair House, as adopted by the league and
by other methods.
A fair house is one in which equal pay is
given for work Of equal value, irrespective of
sex. In the departments where women only
are employed, in which the minimum wages
are so per week for experienced adult workers,
and fall In few instances below So.
In which wages are paid by the week
In which fines, IL imposed, are paid into
fund for the benefit of the employees.
In which the minimum wages of cash girls
are 81 per week, with the same conditions re-
garding weekly payments and fines.
A fair house is one in which the hours from
| A. M. to p. M. with three-quarters of an hour
for lunch) constitute the working day, and
general half holiday Is given on one day of each
week during at least JWO summer ulOnlub.
In which a vacation OF not less than one week
is given with pay during the summer season.
In which all overtime Is compensated for.
A fair house Is one In which work, lunch and
retiring rooms are apart from each other, and
conform In all respects TO the present sanitary
laws.
in which the present law regarding the pro-
yiding Of seats for saleswomen Is observed and
the uso Of seats permitted.
A fair house is one in which humane and
considcrate behavior toward employees is the
rule.
In which fidelity and length OF service meet
with the consideration which is their due.
In which no children under fourteen years of
age are employed.
Agreement to be signed by head Of retail
mercantile house:
|, the undersigned, hereby express my desire
to conduct my business upon the principles
laid down in 1.-THE Standard of Fair House,"
as adopted by the Consumers League.
/ further agree 10 allow a committee appoint
ed by the Consumers league to visit any part
of my business premises and question my en-
ploycs and agree to answer to said committee
Inquiries us to the following points Ghe Con-
| sumers' league pledging itself that such infor-
nation shall not be published in details;
RATE OF WAGES Hours WORKED.
HoLDAYs. MEAL TIMES,
OVERTIME. SANITARY CONDITIONS.
FINES.
The same circular has been mailed to
thousands of ladies in this city, leaving
out the agreement" at the end and sub
stituting the following:
The condition of membership shall be the APP
proval by signature of the object of the Con
sumers' league" and all persons shall be eligi-
BILE for membership excepting such as are
engaged in retail business in this city, either
as employer or employe.
The members shall not be bound never II
buy at other shops.
Tho names OF the members Of the Consum
ers' league shall not DO made public.