Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1901-190?, 1901-11-14
WORKING WOMEN IN JAPAN.

All Americans engaged in textile in
dustries cannot fail to be vitally inter
ested in the following concise account
of the women of Japan who work in
textile mills, with whose product the
American article comes in competition
In every Asiatic market. The women
OF the poorer class in Japan are CO.
gagged in wage-earning labor to a far
greater extent than American women
imagine, weaving being their chief oc-
cupation. Japanese women weave as
American women sew, "for a living"
and In some districts much OF the
weaving is done in their homes. In
other places there are regularly equip
ped mills. with modern machinery. In
the factories over $4,000 women are
employed, whose wages vary from
sum equivalent to about 25 cents a day
to less than Is cents. The men get
from 20 cents to 40 cents a day Many
more women than men are employed
In ages ranging from II years to 80
years. In some OF the mills there Is
system of prizes for faithful service;
in others there is an increase of wages
three or four times year as the work
er becomes more skilled. Nearly every
mill hus some form Of recognition OF
improved work and steady service. and
the girls are encouraged to thrift as
well as industry. In many OF them
system of either voluntary or compul-
sorry saving is in force and 10 per cent
interest is paid on all such deposits of
whatsoever character, although in the
case OF compulsory savings they are
forfeited IL the girl leaves before the
expiration OF her stipulated term,
which is usually three years. That the
system is beneficial may be assumed
from the fact that often they have ac-
cumulated 500 or $3.50 at the end Of
three years. This is not strange when
the cheapness of living is considered.
Breakfast consists of boiled rice and
pickles or bean soup; for dinner. rice
and vegetables are served, and for sup
per- rice and fish or meat. Some of
the mills and factories have boarding
houses attached, at which board is
given to the girls at the lowest possi-
pic PiiScot ahouhtihb W hot hioit IMAM
eight or ten cents a day. A uniform
costume is worn by the employees In
some factories. and is purchased from
the firm for about 81. which Is paid in
four or five monthly instalments. Ev-
erything else required. such as shoes,
umbrellas and bedelothes, is furnished
by the mill In Toxic the mill-owners
have begun to provide some education
for the employees. and after work hours
they are taught reading, writing and
sewing. The girls are divided into a
night and day force, each working
about eleven hours. They have five OF
six holidays during the year and a
week at the beginning OF the new year
They also have several hours a week
for rest, while the machinery Is being
inspected for repairs. The work does
not seem TO hurt the operatives. as the
sick rate is exceedingly low, says an
authority. In one mill, for instance
where 1. 200 girls are employed, there
is a daily average of not more thar
four cases Of sickness. A physician il
attached to each factory, and women
who are sick are allowed one-half theiI
wages. In cases OF injury received In
the discharge OF duty full wages anc
q consolation gift" are allowed. wher
a trouble is pronounced .ncurable tn,
mill-owners defray medical charges
which are about three cents q dav ant