New-York tribune., 1901-03-03
MOVING THE .SVEATSHOPS.
OBSTACLES IN THE WAY OF TRANS
PLANTING THEM FROM CITY
TO COUNTRY.

The announcement made by President Marcus NJ
Marks at the dinner of the Clothers' Association
recently. that OF the big manufacturers
had started quiet movement Induce and aid
contracting tailors break up their sweatshops
In this city and 10 the country, where
their hands could work in better moral and sani-
tary surroundings. coupled with the remark made
by Governor Odell the same dinner. that legis-
lation might be invoked bring about this desired
end. has led to renewed interest in the efforts of
other persons who have been working for
years with the object in view. A Tribune
porter set ont yesterday TO discover, If possible
just what the difficulties which have prevented
realization of this idea long before now; for the
idea is by no means in this country.
According official of the Baron de Hirsch
fund, one of the principal obstacles TO inducing
contracting tailor 10 remove his shop from the
city TO the country and surround IT there with a
little colony of workers is the fear that these
ers will strike for higher wages, and will have
him less their mercy. far from the
swarmins labor market In great city there are
always many hungry men and women able do
or al least quickly learn to do the work required OF
sweatshop hand that the contractor feels reason
ably safe in taking big contracts, and promising
finish the goods promptly time In a small vii
lage strike lasting one or two days only might
Ntiate an important contract in which time
vital condition
At the University Settlement the reporter picked
up the Information that large numbers of the
sweaters, who groan under the hardship of their
lot and would gladly exchange the overcrowded
conditions in which they exist in the city
ments for more room and better air In the
try, refuse to move into small villages for fear
thar they will virtually condemn themselves for
the rest Of their lives 10 the sewing OF garments
In the breasts OF the most poverty stricken
of these people there generally exists hope and
an ambition 10 rise above their present condition
and the rise is generally accomplished by estab-
fishing some sort of small business for themselves
If it is only pushcart. loaded with cheap cloth
Ing or doubtful vegetables the poor Hebrews OF
the East Side-from whom the sweatshop workers
10 a booth, next TO little shop. and then TO big
store. That this has been idle dream in the
case of thousands is well known by the business
men Of this city and that fact comforts the poor
sweater toiling for long hours the needle or
the sewing machin' Small villages afford
paratively little opportunity for the fulflment OF
such ambitions. and therefore. the country proves
less inviting than many philanthropists think it
ought to be.
Al the building of the Hebrew Educational AL
lance, in East Broadway, il said that another
strong reason why the city. with all its over
try the poor Hebrew IS the splendid educational
advantages which the city affords To his children
httng them for the professions as well as Tor the
higher positions in the commercial world These
cannot be had in villages. and many a father and
mother undergo cheerfuly the hardships Of the
their children daily lettering their condition
Strong as these obstacles are, and seriously as
they have retarded former efforts build up vii
overcome If the Clothiers' Association realize
its reported plans transplant fifty thousand sew
spot in the country Such a population. forming
small city in itself. could offer TO considerable
educational and commercial. which New-York now
presents.