The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1893-12-20
EVEN IN FAIR FRISCO.

EVEN IN FAIR FRISCO.
Methods Of Eastern Slave Drivers Have
Spawned the Country.
In a report of threatened strike in
the hat factory of Kline, Mercy s. Co.
San Francisco. the San Francisco Chron
icle relates the following facts:
Imagine women, some of them moth
ers of families, Shaving 10 hours day
for sums which range from % to AZ
cents, and out of which at least cents,
the cost of material used, must be taken.
and you will know why these 20 oper
ators on hats contemplate going on "A
strike.
Kline, Mercy & Co., while interested
in hat factory or two somewhere in the
east, are new to this coast. They came
here about month ago AMI brought
with them some Thoroughly original
business ideas. Among these was the
plan to have work done for almost moth
ing, whichis now causing all the trouble.
When the factory was opened, u girls
wanted" notice was hung on the front
door. OF course it brought out lot of
applicants for work, for women as well
as men are numbered among the unem
ployed during hard times.
From the many who applied 20 We're
chosen and ordered to report for duty
on the following morning, bringing with
them thread, needles and shears.
When they did SO, speech was made
to them explaining the nature of the
work each would be called upon to do
picturing the golden opportunity of &C
quiring wealth which was about to BIZ
opened up, and concluding with the in
formation that, while eventually excel
lent wages would be paid, each person
employed would have to work week or
more for nothing while acquiring :;
knowledge of the business.
Of course this statement robbed the
picture of wealth of some IF its beauty.
but it did not completely discourage any
one.
All went to work with will. Three
departments were formed, and while
number one put on the braid, number
two looked out for the lining and mum
Der three for the several bands.
True to the agreement, as each oper
ator became proficient she was given
chance to earn some money. but 1t Is 1t
mighty poor chance.
Those who do the binding receive g.,
| cents for every dozen hats turned out,
| The handlers of sweat bands are paid
| "a cents dozen, while those who ar
range Innings are paid from to Is cents
Operated as the factory is now and
with these rates prevailing, no person
can earn much more than 40 cents
day, and from this amount must be de-
Quoted the cost Of all the thread and
needles used, for each person is com
! PEELED to provide all the material of this
, sort used.
| When the women of the factory first
discovered how greatly things had been
misrepresented to them, indignation
meetings of all sorts were held and
many uncomplimentaryt things were said
of their employers. These gentlemen,
however, seemed but little disturbed
They informed their help that no cause
! for complaint existed, and that it was
simply on account Of the lack of expert
ence that more money was not made, at
the same time predicting that all would
be sailing along smoothly in a very short
| time.
| The short time has passed, however
for it is six weeks since the factory start
ed, and things show no inclination to do
their smooth sailing act. The women
/ are still making 33 and 40 cents day.
Therefore the impending strike.
A committee from the dissatisfied
waited upon Mr.. Kline yesterday after
noon and begged that chance to earn
at least livelihood be given them.
Their plea amounted to naught. Mr.
' Kline simply laughed at them and in
formed them that be did not care what
might happen. you can all get out
now if you want to-" he concluded
"There are lots Of women out of work
in this town, and l guess l can get a
crowd to take your places
A strong supporter of the women in
their fight is Charles Brown, the late su-
perintendent. Brown was brought to
this coast from Newark, N. j., to con-
duct the Kline Mercy factory, but, as he
says, was not retained in his position be
cause he would not Cypress the employ
ees
The Kline Mercy people are endea-
voring to compel women to work here
for the prices paid New York tenement
operators" stated Mr.. Brown last even
ing, land it is a crying shame.
Nov | possess a fair knowledge OF
the hat business, and know the margin
Of profit is SO great that good living
wages could be paid and still there
would be enough left to pay the mem
bers of the firm an excellent income"