The morning call., 1894-02-04
A CHANGE NEEDED.
Industrial Conditions Are
Bad.
WOMAN MUCH RESTRAINED.
Domestic Service Must Be Raised
by Humanity to the Plane
of Science and Art.

The San Francisco Federation of Women
held an ouening meeting in the Alcazar
building yesterday afternoon to listen to
an address on "UnemplOyed Women
from Mrs. Charlotte Perkins Stetson of the
Women's Press Associat tion. Quite a large
number of people were present, and con-
siderable interest was manifested throug =
out the meeting.
The early part of Mrs. Stetson's paper
was devoted largely to a review Of the
efforts that have been made in this city
thus far to afford employm- mt or assistance
of any sort TO the women who are out OF
work.
A brief paragraph was read from
Howelfs "Altrurian Traveller" quoting
the words: "If you are to secure to your
self in this community any contentment
or comfort Of mind, you must get it in dis
regard of the con nGiton OF your feHow-man.'
A prominent lady in this city, when applied
TO for a contribution TO aid the unem-
ployed, had replied to Mrs. Stetson:
"Oh, why does this wretched trouble
come up now? We were just getting
ready to have such nice winter, with the
Midwinter Fair open and so many other
pleasures planned"
Such an attitude, which was quite typi-
cal. was the main difficulty the relief COM
mittee had encountered. Among many of
the wealthy women of the city there pre-
vailed, If not an utter disregard, al least an
absence of sincere interest in the cOn6i-
ton of their fellOw-wOmen. Also. an ig-
norance existed Of the actual causes pro-
ductive of the present distress. Said one
woman, for instance: 'Why, l don't see
any need of so much complaint Of lack of
work. My friend in San Rafael has been
trying for two months TO get kitchen help
ami has not succeeded yet"
Mrs. Perkins did not think this an apt
instance. Or, everywhere there plenty of
kitchens unsuppled. which seems not to
be fact, many women had almost ther
starve than undertake service in them,
and il is not right to disparage them on
that account-f0r elk of that persisten
objection must lie some valid cause. some
vital reason in the heart OF woman OF
which social students should take account.
Women should not be compelled to 60
into that work which was absolutely re-
voting 10 them. What is needed is the
creation of lines of employment that will
be more cungeDial and at the same time
the difficulty lay. Men could he given
labor that would be directly beneficial TO
the community; ordinarily there was moth
ing left for woman but common drudgery.
The WOmen's Federation, the Industrial
Union, the Press Association and all
kindred organizations had struggled with
the problem, and the bestresult of all their
efforts was the proposal. already an-
nOunced. to establish public and cheap
laundry and a general home and school
where women could be taught the common
domestic occupations.
"a best this is but temporary relief,
worfully inadequate and unsatisfactory.
nd int a
conditions become again lighter and easier
there will still remain some unemployed
women. some who will not take to kitchen
drudgery. some who cannot sew or cannot
cook, or cannot perform any common
household service. And the problem will
still be unsolved.
Tim why do we have such a problem
at all? Why are there always unemployed
men and women? 1t is because of the
way society is constituted. The unem-
plOyed element is the margin on when
rest the wealth of society. 1t is the mere
TACT OF men and women out of work
| which enables the employer and not the
labOrer to set the rate of wage. Plutocracy
will not allow the suppression of the un-
employed.
Another cause operates especially in
putting woman out Of work. In the
progress of industrial development her oc-
cupatiOns have not advanced with the res I.
100 and 100000 years ago, virtual slavery.
II has not become diversified and special.
ICED. as have other trades and professions.
1t has not become either science or an
art Therefore with her great advance in
intellectual training and capacity, woman
has grown constantly farther anu farther
away from it, With the increase of intel
lgence the repugDance to anything that
savors OF servitude is intensified hundred
fold.
1T is not a question OF sentiment. To
do work that is distateful hampers the
spirit, restricts the growth and Injuries
the individual. The performance of do
mestic service as it is now constituted is a
moral impossibility for a vast multitude
of women. What must be had is a change
in the very nature of household organ "a
ton. Tie kitchen and the chamber wOrk
must be diversified so that it shall become
more of study and an art. Then the
occupation will become like others. which
lend an inspiration and a qualification
10 those who pursue il. 1t will become O
legitimate and honorable profession"
Mrs. Stetson's talk was received with
mucA applause and hearty vote of thanks
was rendered to her for its delivery.
Before leaving the room Mrs. Stetson
expressed a desire to be questioned in re-
gard TO the matters OF which she had
spoken. Almost the first response was
from a gentleman who asked If Mrs. s ct
son thought the possession of suffrage by
woman would materially contribute to
the securing OF better social and indus
trial condition.
"Without doubt" was Mrs. Stetson's
instant reply.
This preciptated general discussion of
the subject. in which opinions of various
degrees of enthusiasm and approval were
expressed. Mrs. Moore. Mrs. Anna f.
Smith. Emily Pitt Stevens and the gentle
man who has so long officiated at the regis
try desk of the business mems relief COM
mittee participated in the talk.
Before the meeting adjourned a brief
address was given by Mss j. Sorabjl, the
Parsee lady, who is now visiting this
city, and who was present at the hall bv
request She spoke Tor a few minutes
upon the condition of women In India.