Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-16
THE GIRLS WHO WORK
SOMETHING ABOUT THE YOUNG W.
MEN WHO EARN THEIR LIVING
TEN THOUSAND OF THEM IN RICHMOND
Cberoot and Cigarette Factories
Claim the Greater Number OF
Them-IiOx, Bag, ana bah'hg '""
der Concerns Employ Many More.

It is estimated that there are ten thou
sand white girls in Richmond who sup
port themselves by daily labor.
In very many instances they support
others also. In many a family the sole
breadwinner is a plucky girl who has
risen above the obstacles OF sex and Is
contending with men in the struggle for
existence. In many more, though not the
only support. the girl Of the family IS so
important a member that when she does
not work buckle and tongue have very
hard time meeting.
Workngmen are interesting. There Is
something attractive about the men who
are keeping this old world moving, to say
nothing of those who. to use popular
phrase, are making it hum. But there
is something infinitely more interesting
in the sight of a woman contributing her
utmost to the sum of human endeavor.
A man has an innate feeling, If no be any
sort of a man, that a woman should not
work. lie feels that II IS his duty to
shield them from all the cares incident
10 the struggle for existence. But how
ever laudable be such chivalry it is, I'M
fortunately, not always Of practical APP
phcation.
For men must work and women must
weep"
was true when Charles Kingsley wrote
il, and is true now, with the modification
that women have TO help in the work
as well TO furnish the tears for the men.
CHANGE OF TWENTY-FIVE YEARS.
Twenty-Five years ago a man going to
his employment in Richmond at half-
past o'clock in the morning would en-
counter probably, half dozen girls going
10 their work. To-day the workingman
hurrying 10 his labor early in the morning
meets at every turn young girls bent on
reaching their places Of employment. Tho
early cars are full OF them. And they
cling on 10 the straps OF the crowded
cOnyeyances with all the confidence OF
their male companions, and deal more
grace.
These early girls are hurryins to the
factories. Each has her dinner-bucket
on her arm, which she holds on 10 with
everlasting persistency. and fully as
gracefully as tho average woman clings
to purse when out shopping. The ma
jorlty OF them are bound for the cheroot
and cigarette establishments. The paper
box and bag factories claim many more.
Many are on their way 10 the baking
powder factories.
1t would not be easy to say what has
so greatly increased the number Of work
ng-girls in Richmond. 1t cannot be that
people are poorer, and that the girls have
been forced to work. 1t is probable that
employers have found that women are
fully as capable in certain fields, less
trouble generally. and cheaper.
THE CHEROOT GIRLS.
The number Of girls employed at the
Whitlock Branch Of the American To-
bacco Company. at the corner OF Cary
and Twenty-fifth streets. is much larger
than in any other factory in the city y
little upwards of 200 girls earn their
living In the great cheroot-factory OF this
firm. and there is room and demand for
more
1--WE cannot get all the girls we want
said Mr. Philip WhitlOck, manager Of the
factory. yesterday. I'VE are now work
ing over 1900 girls and young women, and
yet we could give employment to at least
800 more. Girls are scarce he contin-
ued. THE poor girls of Richmond do not
take to making cherOots, as n rule. Near
ly all the girls we employ are from the
country. l do not know why 1t is that
the girls and young women OF this city
who have TO support themselves or others
do not take more 10 cheroot-maklng. IL
is not as hard work as that which Is de-
manded of them I'm many other yocauons'
besides paying better. had much rather
make cheroots all day IL | were a girl
than sell goods behind counter, or put
my eyes out sewing. or walk myself TO
death canvassing, or do very many OF the
things girls try TO do 10 keep soul ana
body together. / would make more money
and my health would be better.
"Our girls earn anywhere from 81 TO s.
or $40 a week" continued Mr.. Whtlock.
ut all depends upon their swiftness.
Those who have been with us longest
make most, OF course, as they get up
more cheroots in n day. OF course, too,
some girls are naturally faster workers
than others. They are paid by the hun
dred."
II take n deep interest I'm the welfare
of the girls who work for u.s." Mr.. Whit
lock went on II feel IL incumbent upon
us. not only to, pay them for their WORK
but 10 help them TO remain the pure
hearted country girls which they were
when they came TO us. As / say, nearly
all are from the country. l DO not alio"
my superlntendents TO treat them o'her
than as ladies'. Their manner towards
the girls must be invariably respectful
and there must be no driving. When we
receive the letter of country girl who
wants employment In the factory we
write her TO come. and tell her II she has
no friends I'm the city 10 apply TO the Wo-
mans Christiap Association, where sac