Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-12-08

hNhiS taNc ~ COWDlnatlOnS. either OF
the workers themselves or OF consume
ers." j
Then the band of earnest workers
started to secure a list of such shops
as dealt justly with their employees, in
order to bring public action to bear in
FAVOR OF just employers. The standard
or employment then adopted has been
consistently maintained, not only in
new YORK but other cities; for the
movement spread to other large cities.
During 1897 Consumers Leagues were
formed in Philadelphia, BROOKLYN and
chicago, Boston following in 49,. Ines
the National Federation was formed.
At first in New York only eight shops
We're found to be fair and placed on
what Is known as 1.-THE white list Now
there are more than fifty in New York
alone for reputable employers were only
TOO graz to avail themselves of the pros
lection thus afforded. And a cores
pondlng advance in the standard Of
employment is evident all through the
shopping districts. The influence of
this organization Of purchasers had
work to do in the field of legislation and
accomplished it too. They nave in New
York state secured legal protection for
young people employed in retail stores
corresponding to that given to factory
employees.
The federated organizations have un-
dertaken much more difficult work than
that of raising the standard of retail
stores-combatting the great sweating
system. Anyone who reads the papers
at all has read of the horrible condit-
ions which are obtained in the manu-
faeture of clothing. The public invests
cations in England, Canada and Amer
iCf has nrnvn1 that yl,a ,a,~- 49,
as now are a menace to public
health and morals. This is the result
OF the cut throat competition among
manufacturers merchants, tailors, con-
tractors and workmen. And it has
forced the cost of production down from
cieanly places to foul workshops, STAR
walton wages and the employment Of
child labor, excessive hours and all the
attendant evils. From that to the tiny
rooms, novels rather in the unhealthy
tenements where dozens OF people sew,
sew, night and day for a mere %pittance.
And unless the evil is fought it will
continues; it cannot well grow worse,
for the sweat shop boss is not only
competing with his rivals but with the
factory. Manufacturers who conduct
factories cannot compete with the tene~
n!ant work. 1t the member of the
- oAiy Z SolIlC VI tll0
photographs taken of rooms where sew-
ing was being done in simply indiscrib-
able filth, they would declare for the
Consumers League.
Some will ask what is a Fair House"
and the white LABEL A fair house is
one in which equal pay is given for
work of equal value, irrespective of sex;
where minimum wages are Sc per week.;
tor experienced adults and in few in-
stances below eight dollars; where
ages are paid by the keek: where
fines, If imposed, are paid into a fund
hours are from s a. m. to 6 p. M, three
minimum age for cash girls are 50 per
week under the same conditions. Where
hours are from s a. m. to 6 p. m. three
quarters of an hour for lunch. Where
a general half holiday is given
one day of each week during
two summer months; at least
a weeks vacation is given
With full pay during the summer season
where all overtime is paid. Where work,
lunch and retiring rooms are apart from
each and sanitary conditions are good;
where seats are provided and employees
allowed to use them. Where employees
are treated fairly and humanely; where
fidelity and length Of service are appre-
ciated. Where no children under IA ara
employed.
The white label is the means off dents
flying work turned out by the fair hous.
es. 1t is a white card bearing the trades
mark or rather the official label of the
league. 1t is a circle with opposite arms
of a Maltese cross horizontally extend
ed. On one arm is printed made Under
Clean and Healthful Conditions" On the
other: use of Label Authorized After
Investigation" On the outer rim of the
circle: official Label, Registered Nov.
Il. 1899" In the center: National Con.
sumer's League" Underneath the numb
Der of the license. In one corner Of the
card: keep this in your pocketbook.'t
The label is put on all white muslin un.
derwear, shirt waists, corsets, corset subs
stitutes, skirt and stocking supporters.
curtains, sheets, pillow cases dressing
Jackets, fiannelette goods, and children's
wash dresses manufactured under condi-
tions investigated and approved by the
league. On the back is a list Of the fair
houses of the city where the card is cir
culated. AS a sample of wages paid, in
the 25 cents per dozen is paid
for making children's Bingham dresses.
Manufacturers are all anxious, if hon.
est gentlemen, to secure the use of the
label. To secure this they must comply
with all of the state factory laws. La-
bells must be used only on goods manu-
featured on the premises. No one Under
the age of 16 can be employed. Working
hours must not exceed ten hours in any
one day or sixty hours in one week; or
after nine o'clock at night or before sin
in the morning. They must allow the
representative of the league to inspect
the premises at any reasonable time and
must comply with all reasonable requests
made by the league with a view to im-
proving conditions. If they fail to com,
ply they cannot use the label and must
pay the league $10O.
Many sweathouse bosses advertise
their goods as Factory Made" The