New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-11
SUPPERS FOR SHOPGIRLS.
EFFORTS OF THE CONSUMERS LEAGUE II;
BEHALF OF SUCH EMPLOYEES


The holiday season IS always especially trying 10
those who work IN shops Not only are they kept
rs busy as possible every moment OF the day but
IN many cases must also work In the evening Just
At the time when they need rest most they get
least Of ~ II IL important that they should be
well fed IN this period 20 stand the strain
that their extra tasks put on them. The Con-
surnors' League. which has the shopgirls for its
especial care all the year round has taken par
ticular pains 70 make their lot easy possible
IN the rushing times preceding Christmas one
grea. evil in the past has been the failure Of firms
TO give their employees supper or its equivalent In
money. generous. meal IL absolutely
necessary to enable the girls and young women
to bear up under the physical and mental strain Of
the holiday shopping. Their wages not suf-
ncient 20 permit their buying such repast. es-
pecially rs most OF them receive extra pay for
working in the evening. They customarily. unless
their employers make provision for them.
go without supper or eat little something that
does not sustain them FOR their task.
The Consumers League has canvass.d n part
OF the shopping district and secured iist OF firms
which give their working girls meal or It's money
value The streets covered are broadway. between
Eighth and Twenty-thrd sts; SlXth-ave.. between
Eighth and Twenty-th.rd SITS: Fourteenth and
Twenty-thrd SITS between Slxth-ave. and Broad
way; Grand-st. between the Bowery and the East
River and Thlrd-ave., between Fifty-nnth and
Eighty-slxth SITS. This list Of firms will be sent
on application 70 the Consumers League, United
Charities Building Twenty-second-st. and Fourth
ave. Shoppers with the aid OF this may connne
their purchases TO stores in which working girls
receive proper treatment In regard 70 supper. J.
should be added that some of tho largest stores
arc not open evenings member Of the league
thus described the situation OF working girls IN
the holiday
"One OF the causes which go TO create differ
ences IN Industrial efficiency IS the meagreness Of
81 "A
airs suffer Few rea .zs what tremendous
amount OF nervous energy employees give out our
year when they need food more. I'm vice as
!alsA worA ID 2e Gone: @d WIZ a. NON = yr or
lack sufficient quantity oi FOOD. but qua.'y scores
- be especially depiored in shopslrs-wiA order
FOR luncheon chocolate eclair and cup 81 te'.
same girls have TO stand the eli.re AFTERNOON D4cN
Even this light luncheon IS often eaten hurriediy
The girls return 20 Their store. which IS probably
ovcrheatel. crowded and badly Nen-lla-e Stro
seen amoas The shopsr.s OF New lofk City
"It is had economy not 70 give the working n n
live the lio Of shopgrl for one DAY tAc cond-
Sons .or working women and girls "ouIl De be-
l The consuners s League was Qrsaa.sGd
In the mercantile houses This be done hy
. fr hoHses In order that at, the nembers II
,.. Isaru. might know which houses Were con-
,r.n was published The list is known a. the
.r .f-c u.t' lu becoming q member OF the League
you rlaa-. yourself 10 trale as FAR as practicable
oniv witr SHOPS on the white list.
There arc 10 mercantile inspectors at the pres
or- time - enforce the law Formerly there vera
o.eht,eu mercantile inspectors, under the Board
az Health for the purpose Of securing the enforce
n.r- u the act. This law Is most helpful 10
women and children. however employed. What
tho League asks OK shoppers IS that they fec the
responsibility moro keenly which rests with them.
They can show their sympathy with the mis-
fortunes n the shopgiri by writing 20 the Con-
sumers' League. United Charities Building. for the
'i-r of houses giving supper or supper money 20
their employees. Then they should conare their
purchases 10 the firms appearing on this roll
The League also publishes white Est which
IS ii permanent record Of the firms which not only
"a the holiday season. hut Throughout the - ar,
i've up 10 the standard Il has set. This vii! also
- ~ arrlIca