Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-04-06
soMIrHINo uKs &c eose.
A Boycott Can BE Made Just os Enectiv
Under Any other Name.

A Boycott Can BE Made Just os Enectivs
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 have been made hereto
fore, with very small results, but it looks
now as If something win 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 rs 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; "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 the following: To ameliorate 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. II imposed, are paid into a
fund for the benefit of theemployes.
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. NJ. to 8 p. NJ. with three-quarters of an hour
for lunch) constitute the working day, and Il
general half holiday is given on one day Of each
week during at least two summer months.
In which vacation Of not less than one week
Is given with pay during the summer season.
In which all overtime is compensated for.
fair house IL 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 tho pro
viding of seats for saleswomen is observed and
the use of seats permitted.
fair house ID one In which humane and
considerate 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 '"The Standard of a Fair House, y
as adopted by the Consumers League.
further agree TO allow a committee appoint
| ed by the Consumers league to visit any part
of my business premises and question my en-
| ployes, and | agree to answer to said COMMITTEES
Inquiries as to the following points the Con-
sumers' league pledging itself that such infor-
nation shall not be published in details'
RATE OF WAGES. Hours WORKED.
| HoLpAYs 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 ap-
proval by signature of the object of the Con
sumers' league" and all persons shall be eligi'
ble for membership excepting such are
engaged in retail business in this city, either
as employer or employe.
The members shall not be bound never u
| buy at other shops
The names of the members Of the Consum
| ers' league shall not be made public.