Evening star., 1898-12-09
The Probable Earnings of Women
Packing Seeds.
GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN CONTRACT
Hundreds Of Applications for the
Work Being Made.
W H AT OFFICIALS SAY

Hundreds of women have applied for
places to pack and distribute seeds for the
department of Agriculture. The contractor,
the Market Gardeners Association of New
YORK, has established an Office at No. 3D6
10Th street northwest, and there all appli
cations are received and registered. From
early morning until late in the afternoon
girls, young and old women and men, toll
up the steep stairs, eagerly seeking the
chance to earn their bread Those who do
not tell in sorrowful accents some story of
woe, as the majority do, find even more
eloquent pleaders in their sad faces and
! thin, faded clothing. Among them are
brave girls, striving to be father and mother
| to orphaned little ones; widows of men who
gave their lives for their country; young
women seeking to be self-supporting; men
who have tramped day after day for situa-
tions that never come, and even aged folks
who must work or find refuge in the poor
house.
Each is kindly received, and his or her
recital of need is patiently, often sympa-
thetically, heard. Those who are smart
and active will very likely find employment;
the others will be turned away. Of all the
number only one hundred will be daily
required, but it is probable that many of
the other applicants will be afforded an
opportunity now and then to earn a few
dollars.
The packing will not begin for some time
yet, as the contractor has not received the
seeds to be used. 1t is said that they are
now on their way from California, and that
In view of the long distance they cannot
be here under five or six weeks, or the first
OF the new year, at any rate.
The contractor states that he has not yet
determined what wages will be paid, but
1t Is credibly reported to The Star that no
packer will be able to earn more than 50
cents day. One who can put seeds in
2,5oO packages day is considered expert
and for this, it is stated, the rate of 20
cents thousand will be given. According
| to this the majority who cannot keep up
that pace will earn under 30 cents when
they are able to work day
Sweat Shop Wages.
Those are sweat shop wages" indig-
nantly said The Stars informant today.
| Think of it, to work all day in the midst
of seed dust, mucilage, waste and the most
firing conditions and get for it at the most
but 80 cents. It's shameful! / applied
| for a place there because 1 must have
work. but I cannot do 1t for any such
wages. The government has no business
to permit such things; it is rich enough to
pay to have the work done at decent
wages. When the seed distribution was
made in the Agricultural Department there
were as many as a hundred women en-
ployed and all earned not less than a dollar
| a day. woman can live respectfully and
keep her head above water on that but on
| less-well, God help us, that Is all 1 can
say. Many will take whatever is offered
because they must, but Is it right to take
advantage of peoples necessity? / can't
blame the contractor, for l don't suppose
he will make much out of It, anyhow. but
l do think the congressman who appro-
priated the money ought to have given
enough to permit respectable wages to be
IN hl ha
contractor to pay his help not less than a
dollar a day. Besides, l don't think the
Secretary spends all he ought of the appro-
| priation given him. Congress provides
| $3.50, 600, but the contract was let for about
| S71 900. The Secretary takes the balance
and spends it, for what? Well, $4,000
goes to buy foreign seeds and the other for
office expenses. Before people are allowed
, to work for such low wages it seems to
me the Secretary ought to stop buying for
eign seeds and spending the other thirty
odd thousand in his Office and lump it all
| so that living salaries can be given the
packers.
Back in 1890 only 100000 was appro-
IT,ated, and of II $4,000 went to buy seeds
and the balance was given for hire and dis
tri5ution. Very few Of those who have an
piled know what they are likely to earn
and If 1t turns out as believe it will 1 tell
you many a woman will have a good cry
Ing spell over the disappointment hope
The Star will take hold of this and in
some way prevent sweat shop wages from
being introduced in this city, even in this
small way"
What Is Said.
E. A. Nellis, the manager of the Market
Gardeners Association, was seen and ques-
toned in this regard. He declined to deny
that the rate of 20 cents a thousand pack
ages will be paid. He said that he has not
yet decided the question, but his firm is
prepared to be as generous as 1t can with
the help employed He said the Toledo
firm that had the contract last year paid
more for piece work. His expert girls
earn as much as IS cents to 81 a day. He
thought the District ought to be glad that
his firm Is willing to perform the contract
In this city, and not execute it in New
York some other city.
Assistant Secretary Brigham of the De-
partment of Agriculture, who has charge
Of the seed distribution, stated that he has
no control over the contractor IN the mat
ter of wages to be paid.
People don't have to work for him at
that figure" said he, unless they choose"
Secretary Wilson alleged ignorance of the
matter when it was brought TO his atten-
ton. He said he is carrying out the law
to the best of his ability, and that he
spends all that is allowed.