The Washington times., 1894-03-28
WOMEN WAGEEARNERS HERE
They Come to Testify Before the Sen
ate Finance Committee.
BUT THEY MAY NOT BE HEARD
Nearly . Score Of Thsm-Each Repre-
ssnting q Separate Loeality-In Charge
Of the woman's Republican Association.
What They VIII Say.

The Woman's Republican Association Of the
United States has brought to Washington q
number Of women representing different in
dustries to testify as to what each has seen in
her own particular line OF work and Of the
alleged decrease of work and wages occa-
stoned by the uncertainty Of pending tariff
legislation.
The women, who are principally from New
England manufacturing centers, arrived in
Washington yesterday afternoon, and will
endeavor to secure a Senate committee hear
ing at the earliest opportunity.
The names OF these women wage workers
and the respective mills that they represent
are as follows:
Mrs Amy Lees, a weaver at Matamsca cotton
mills, New Bedford Mass; Mrs. Martha Howorth,
weaver. Grnnell mills, New Bedford Mass; Mrs
Harriet Branch, sewer, Phoenix Woolen Com
pany, East Greenwich, X. l.; Miss Emily L.
Young, shipping clerk. Motter d burlington jew
elry Company, Providence, X. l.; Miss Annie
Devereaux, chain maker Kent & Stanley jew
elry Company, Providence. X. J.; Miss Agnes
Pohlman, cotton weaver, Barken Manufacturing
Brooks, cotton weaver, Mitchell Manufacturing
Company, Fitchburg, Mass; Miss Elizabeth
Tyler, carpet weaver. Robbery Carpet Company,
Roxbury, Mass; Miss NJ Wright, carpet setter,
Roxbury Carpet Company, Aston, Mass;
Miss Alice lerkes, machine sewer, American
Net and Twine Company, Greenwood, Mass;
Miss Minnie Spearing, inspector of cotton, Man
Miss Hattie Freeman, sewer, Harris Woolen
Manufacturing Company, Woonsocket, r. l.;
ufacturing Company, Woonsocket, X. l.; Miss
Florence Briggs cotton weaver, Taft Company,
anthony, X. l. Miss Edith Wolstencroft. weaver,
Whittenton Manufacturing Company, Taunton,
Mass; Miss Anna Ryan, cotton spinner, New
Bedford Company, New Bedford, Mass.
The Woman's Republican Association sent
such body here in 1888 during the tendency
OF the Mckinley bill before the Senate. Some
Of the women had worked in Europe on SINH
lar lines to those in which they were then en-
gagged here. They testified to rates Of wages
here and in Europe and to the cost Of living
in each country. The case made was a strong
one for American industries under protection.
The general appearance Of the women was
good. their behavior modest and respectful,
and the hearing was most effective.
1t is believed that in view of the actual eN-
isting and distressing conditions of the pres
ent time among wage-earning women
protest against the pending Wilson bill which
is causing such uncertainty in manufacturing
circles 81 ould be entered by actual wage
earners. and this is the object of the present
visit. The association believes that all in
dustries are more or less interested in the de-
feat of the Wilson bill.
Mrs. ]. Ellen Foster, president of the
and has carried into effect both OF these visits
Of wage-earning women. Sheis personally in
charge OF these women, accompanied by the
treasurer Of the association, Miss Helen Varick
Boswell, of New York.
The fact that the tariff bill is now before the
Senate would seem to be a serious obstacle in
the way of these women securing a committee
hearing on their grievances. II is thought,
however, that the fact OF the Irregular report
OF the bill from the full committee to the Sem
ate may furnish a loophole through which to
slide hearing before the full committee.
II such a hearing Is refused, the Republic
can Finance Committee members may hold
separate hearing for the women. as their
testimony may be valuable in determining
the exact schedules on which the opposition
fight will be most strongly waged.
Some of these wage-women have been en-
ployed in England, and understand the differ
ence in wages between this country and that.
All Of them have been effected by the uncer-
tainty of pending tariffalegislation and are
ready to state that their earnings have fallen
off 10 per cent. since the Inauguration of the
proposed tariff reform.