The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-11-27

! many more people than all the small
stores could possibly do"
From this point Mrs. Stowell gave her
hearers a glimpse into the real life OF the
girls employed in the great Wanamaker
store OF New York In this connection
she told OF the long hours required, the
system or fines, the hardships, the temp
tations, which beset them.
In our store we have 1900 people," she
said, IA little village under one roof. who
really spend their lives together. Surely
we ought 10 have something In common.
There great hearts among these wom-
en-. You've no idea OF the generosity the
self sacrifice. among working women.
There is not a call that Is not answer
cd and this philanthropic work Is often
done among the working girls who have
small salaries"
Continuing. Mrs. Stoweil said that She
was proud TO be wage Garner and to
belong TO such a great-hearted body OF
women.
In conclusion Mrs. stowell spoke earn
estly and touchingly upon How the
shoppers can help the girls OF the depart
Don't condescend TO them" she urged.
because you are more favored In lifo
than they.
.'Do some personal work among them
I'm your city; know them personally. for
the shopper can help the girl behind the
the sirl behind the counter, but as
woman like yourself"
At the conclusion OF Mrs. Stoweli's adj
dress Mrs. Elizabeth c. Wheeler, the So
cial secretary OF the Shepard company
of this city, was introduced and gave a
description of her work and its results
''rhf duties OF the social secretary
she said. might be collectively classed
under four heads.
''lst-Her duty 10 her employer.
'2d-Her duty toward the employees
under her care.
"3d-Her duty 20 the general public.
"4th--Her duty 10 herself"
Taking up these four topics in detail
Mrs. Wheeler proved the need and the
helpfulness ofs her work, showing how
i'm many ways, the burden OF the store
girl had been lifted; how sickness and
distress had been ameliorated; perplexi-
ties smoothed. and new light brought in
To many lines.
She spoke also Of the fining system;
the necessity for IL. and the fact also
that the money received for fines was
used for the benefit OF the Ill and the dis
tressed among the employees.
At the conclusion of Mrs. Wheelers
address Mrs. Spencer and others asked
questions OF Mrs. Stowell concerning the
attitude OF the Wanamaker store toward
it's employees. This brought out the fact
that during the Christmas season all en-
ployes were paid for all overtime work
besides n small commission on sales.
This custom reconciled the employees
for the extra strain and labor
Ii was felt by those present that a SIM
liar custom should prevail in our large
department stores of this city and Miss
Theresa Melvehill. one OF the buyers OF
the O'Gorman company arose and an
nounced that on the day preceding
Christmas Mr.. O'Gorman had given
commission OF one per cent. on all sales,
20 his employees.
After some discussion concerning the
Consumers League and the work which
IL aims to do I'm shortening the hours and
I'm ameliorating the condition of the
women of the stores the meeting adj
journed.
An adjourned meeting Of the council
will occur In the near future when the
subject of the Consumers League will be
discussed and some problems OF the de.
partment store presented.