The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-02

nome IN the suburbs, where rents are
cheap. and she is perhaps helping hard
working parents to buy a refuge for
their old age.
In cities women have displaced men
as cashiers In restaurants, drug stores.
mercantile houses-in fact, all the re-
tail departments Of trade. That woman
as cashier is a faithful and efficient
servant is proved by the increasing de-
mand for her services. Like most yoca-
lions In which women have shown spe
ciai aptitude. those services as vet are
out poorly appreciated. Ten years ago
men In the same positions. according
10 the New York bureau of labor. were
paid wages ranging from $40 to SIS a
week The woman cashier receives on
an average IS week, is very well paid
III she gets ~ and is regarded as a per-
son OF affiuence IL she commands So
Moreover she works longer hours than
ala her predecessors. A man did not
begin work until 8 or o'clock in the
morning, and he reientlessly quit at &
or in the evening.
The reasons for women's supersedure
OF men as cashiers are good ones. The
average woman is more honest, obedi-
ent and conscientious than the average
man. One never hears of a woman
robbing the cash drawer or tamperine
with the profit and loss account OF the
ledger With that facile instinct which
has proved SO disastrous to men In COM
petition with women she quickly mas
ters the details OF her work and thus
proves more rapid accountant.
In herself she attracts trade. for most
men will walk a block TO patronize an
establishment where there is a charm
ing face.
Twenty years ago IL occurred to some
bright restaurant or drug store keeper
or other unclassified and unrecorded
tradesman that IL might be profitable
to replace the naughty young man be-
hind the cash desk with a young, good
looking and well dressed woman. He
reasoned that only man OF more than
ordinary strength of mind could refuse
Canadian dimes and punched nickels
from feminine vision of loveliness. No
one would dare raise the question of
short change or dispute in the face of
her statement the identity of the quar-
ter "he was sure was half dollar" The
astute tradesman OF course selected the
very prettiest and most stylish appli-
cant. Doubtless he grew rich and has
long ago retired from business. but the
result of his enterprise goes marching
on.
dozen TO two dozen cashiers usually
have tables in the Enclosures known as
the cash desk I'm large dry goods and
similar retail stores. The ages of these
women range from is to 30. The youn-
ger ones have begun work in the store
In the humblest capacity as cashgirls,
and from that have risen to be wrap
pers of packages. From wrappers they
were promoted to the cash desk. They
have had no special training for the
work OF accountants; merely have prov
ed their ability to count rapidly and ac-
curately. At first they receive $3.50 or
"a week. this sum being increased at
the rate OF 80 cents per year, as they
please their employers. From the cash
desk there is no hope OF career in the
business. Whatever the branch of trade
IN which she is employed. all knowledge
gained In subordinate capacities is lost
sight OF in the routine of counting mon
~. III she is ambitious and can afford
L. she goes to night school, studies
'tenography and typewrting. or. most
ikely. bookkeeping. and drifts into that
sort OF work She imagines that IL Is
easier. and IL does pay better. The
woman bookkeeper gets So, $40 or $12 a |
week
In smaller shops the cash register is
n use and greatly slmplifies the work |
4 the cashier. In places where a very |
arge business is done one OF the cash |
ailway or pneumatic tube systems is
n operation. These do away with the |
Expense OF cashgirls. but add to the |
ashier's responsibilities. as II is very |
asy to confuse the different balls or |
ubes.
Out OF their meager salaries few wo-
nen are able TO save anything. Most OF |
hem marry before they are 80 and the |
emainder after a few years disappear
Q give place TO younger and more at |
ractive women. In no branch OF work
las the employee greater responsibili-
y, and I'm no other has she SO little
nance OF advancement.
CAROLINE wETHERELL.