Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-08-22
THE SAME OLD "GO-CART..

equipped mills. With modern machinery
In the factories over thirty-five thous-
and women are employed. whose wages
vary from a sum equivalent to about 20
cents a day TO less than 10 cents. The
men get from 25 to 40 cents day.
Many more ,eomen than men are en-
ployed, in ages ranging from twelve
years to thirty years. In some of the
mills there is d system OF prizes for
faithful service; In others there is an in
crease of wages three or four times a
year as the worker becomes more skill
ed. Nearly every mill has some form of
recognition of improved work and
steady service. and the girls are encour-
aged to thrift as we'll as Industry. In
many of them d system of either volun-
tary of compulsory saving is in force.
and 10 per cent interest is paid IN all
such deposits, of whichever character,
altho in the case of compulsory saving
fore 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 accumulated $100 or $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 fish or meat Some of the mills and
| factories have boarding houses at
| tached, at which board is given to the
girls at lowest possible prices, amount
| ing to not more than eight or ten cents
a day.
A uniform costume is worn by the
| employees Of some factories, and is pur-
chased from the firm for about 81, which
is paid in four five monthly Install
ments. Everything else required such
as shoes, umbrellas and bedclothes, is
furnished by the mill.
4 In Toxic the mill owners have begun
to provide some education for the EN-
l ployes, and after work hours they are
taught reading, writing and sewing
! The girls ara divided into night and
i day force each working about clever
hours. They have five or six holidays
during the year and a week at the be-
ginning of the new year They also
i have several hours q week for rest
While the machinery is being inspected
for repairs. The work does not seem to
n hurt the operatives. as the sick rate ]:
extremely low, says an authority. II
one mill, for instance, where LOO girl.
Il are employed. there is daily average Of
II not more than four cases of sickness.
i A physician is attached to each fac
tory, and women who are SICK are al
lowed one-half their wages In case o.
injury received in the discharge o.
duty full wages and "consolatior
gift" are allowed. When trouble il
pronounced incurable the mill owner!
defray medical charges, which are abou
three cents day. and pay the patients
!. expenses to her home. Most of the Ill
ness is some form Of lung trouble.
The operatives who are usually en-
gagged thru agents. who guarantee TIN
girls trustworthiness and capability
For this service each girl pays the agen
20 cents on going to work and two cent
a month during her three years tern
of employment There are in Toxic
mills a number Of employees who hav'
!, been in the same mills over twent!
h years.
+ japanese women OF the middle clas
are entering professional life more ant
more. There are now trained nurses
who have studied In the hospitals, fey
physicians and number of teachers o
: embroidery, sewing, music and painting
( The last named group Of studies has al
: ways been popular among Japanes
women, who have Z taste for artistic ac
J complishments.
GOOD ROADS CONGRESS TO MEET
: New York SUM-
; The meeting Of the International Goo
Roads Congress psxt month at Buffalo
notice of which tas been sent out b,