The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-17

The new Nebraska labor Law, which IL
about TO 60 into effect. iimts days work
for a woman in shop or factory to ten
hours, and fixes fine Of 80 for each In
fraction.
The law BIDS all employers provide SEATS
for female employees and permits the use
OF such seats during business hours. The
deputy labor commissioner IL required to
see that the law 10 strictly enforced J
Omaha ID not yet decided whether the
Law viii harm or help the shopgiris.
Speaking for the laasor comaission. Burt
Bush. q prominent official Of Labor Tenn
pie. said:
.'You must rest assured the law viii
be rigidly enforced. Organised labor sup
ported the bill before the legislature and
Is in full sympathy with II. The deputy
state labor commissioner will work In con-
junction with the friends Of labor TO make
sure OF . proper observance Of the new
regulation"
The industrial COMMITTEES Of the Omaha
Woman's Club has taken Q great interest
In the new law. having supported II from
the start
Miss Mary Fairbrother. leader In
Woman's Club circles. and editor Of the
Woman's Weekly. Is strong advocate
OF the measure. She says:
''Of course ] approve Of the measure
and I want to see 1t enforced not only
In business houses but in hotels and res
taurants. The girls In the latter employ
ments have never had protection from the
exactfons of employers and have been COM
PEELED to work from sunup to nfghtfall.
The new law viii be boon to them. The
Law may cause the dismissal OF some OF
the women. but not for long. for they are
Indispensable"
Mrs Ella b. Lobingier. chairman OF the
Industrial committee Of the Woman's
Club. Is active in the movement to re-
duce the working hours OF women and -
. strong supporter of the new measure
Mrs. Francis NJ. Ford. another prominent
clubwoman. IL gratified at the provisions
OF the law and commends II.
Joseph Hayden. head Of one OF the larg-
est shops in the city, said that
he did not think the operation Of the
law would cause the dismissal of large
number Of women for the present at least
He will obey the law and IL rs ohserv-
ance shall suggest economy in the weed
ing out process that matter will be taken
up later.
One of Mr.. Hayden's department man
ayers Is Of contrary opinion. He says the
girls are uneasy, and predicts that the law
will deprive many OF their positions. which
will go to men.
w. b. Bennett. Of another big house.
said I'VE believe this law to be wisely
framed and we believe that no UPRIGHT
merchant of Omaha would seek to eyade
IL by substituting men for female en-
ployes We have always employed women
but nine and one-half hours day. except
Saturdays and holiday times. when II
seemed impossible TO conduct our busi~
ness without longer hours We are ready
TO make this proposition. that all stores
close on Saturday at 6 O'Clock.
Impossible for us to close Saturday
nights. said the manager OF another
large concern. "A large part OF our cler.-
cal force is now women and girls. We
do not think the law is practicable for
Omaha or any city In Nebraska. and are
disposed TO think that II no intention h
paid to II there win be no complaint. We
will probably continue as we are now
doing and wat for the law to be tested
New York World.