New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-15
FINES FOR VORKING.GIRLS.
THEY ARE NECESSARY TO PRESERVE
ORDER" SAYS A SUBSCRIBER.

THEY ARE NECESSARY TO PRESERVE
ORDER" SAYS A SUBSCRIBER.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Ny attention attracted to an article
headed above. published in The Tribune Of jan
uary J. Let me in the beginning that thor
oughly sympathize with all rational, wise and really
helpful methods OF reform which may render the
lives OF working girls brighter purer and swecter.
The writer OF the article alluded to refers to minor
evils" and petty grievances which wear temper.
health and character" II the evils really
petty. then there Is no use in referring to thom;
they what every one In all walks OF life must
endure and surmount. thereby gaining strength OF
character, submission and sweetness OF temper. II
they are evils or wrongs in the true sense Of the
word then by all means let leave stone un-
turned to them righted.
The first statement is Everybody knows about
the fines for hardness and the long hours at holi-
day times. for which no extra pay is given. In many
OF the drygoods houses" Fines for tardiness"
maintain. right, and cannot DO dispensed with
unless we can make human nature over or. in
other words, find workers. and women, who
people OF integrity and thoroughly reliable II
is not only women, but men also. who are fined for
hardness In the public schools well I'm stores
Let us look at the consequences or at what they
se Sleeps gets late breakfast or has headacSs
she delays and reaches her place OF business .
this would happen more than once We will sup
pose there are twenty or more girls who engage 10
De AZ the store, FACTORY or scnOOl at O'CLOCK. II
one girl when ndisposed Goes rot meet the hours
another may do the same thing rule that APP
plies TO one must apply TO all One may be fifteen
minutes late. another a half.hour. another an
hour. for when there Is no rigid rule such ad-
vantagcs would be taken. Now. then customers
at the stores Many go early TO avoid the crowd,
There is no to walt them
The manager says. "Our girls are late to-day;
will you walt a few mnutes?' How will that
work? How long Will such store maintain itselff
l. for one. would not visit It again. But beyond
and above such results is the injury to the giri's
own character. the deviation from standard OK
mor1l rectitude which will enter into every act
OF her life Accidents OF serious nature may
occur ct home. or a road prevent the keeping
Of an engagemelt-these are always excusable.
Day by day avenues OF labor are opened to
women end they have proved themselves qualified
to compete with men. Let them by all means. form
their tradesunion and determine they will demand
equal pay with for equal work well done. The
same laws should govern both sexes, All should
strive 10 give their best work doing whatever they
undertake just az we'll as their ability permits.
great deal OF labor among all classes OF workers.
be they male or female Is done In most per-
functory manner. Great wrongs exist. and the
best way to correct them Is by examples and by
moral SUI sion which has had It's effect in the ma
tority OF cases when appeals have been made to
the employers In factories and In schools. Truly
yours. 81 Hiocn.
Jan 4. 1892