The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-10
1t II Claimed that I'm Such Employ
ment They Must Necessarily Visit
Immoral Places.
WILL WAGE A GENERAL FIGHT
TELEGRAPH COMPANIES ARE EN-
PLoYING GIRLS IN MANY CITIES.
Resolution on the Subject Sent to the
Legislative Committee-ROutinc
Affairs Discussed.

The Central Labor Union of Indianapolis
has taken a stand against, the employment
of young girls, as messengers, In the office
of telegraph companies of the city. At the
regular meeting Of the central body last
night the first step against the innovation
was taken. A resolution was introduced by
Harry Simons, secretary of the Central
Labor Union, condemning the employment
of girls in the place of boys and providing
for action to be taken by the legislative
committee of the organization. One clause
of the resolution follows: Resolved, That
the legislative committee of the Central
Labor Union joins with other organizations
having similar purposes in view, or If nee
cessary, take the initiative in the introduce
ton of measures in the next session of the
Legislature, making 1t unlawful for the en-
ployment of girls in the messenger service
and other pursuits inmicaI to their moral
welfare
The point Of attack of the resolution is
the Western Union Telegraph Company of
this city, which has recently employed
about fifteen girls to deliver messages. The
practice has also been taken up in the East
ern cities. Boston in particular. where girls
are employed exclusively. The local COM
pany has been employing the girls for the
past two or three weeks and officials of the
company say they give satisfaction and are
satisfied with the work.
LABOR OPPOSED TO IT.
Since the employment of young girls in
a number of the large cities of the country
expressions against the custom have been
heard pretty generally from organized
nr,.1 Ir,,;o zf
city makes its objections on the ground
that the work of a messenger is not a
proper employment for girl of fifteen or
sixteen years, as it jeopardizes her morals
and endangers her whole future life. Mem
bers of the union maintain that they have
investigated the life of the messenger boys
and the conditions with which they have
to contend are repulsive and at an early
age they are brought into contact with
immoral habits and institutions of a great
city. The young girl in taking the place
OF the boy, IL is charged, will naturally
have the same conditions to contend with,
and her work will take her. in many in
stances, to notorious resorts and among
the lower element OF society, where there
is no regard or respect shown her. The
expressions were very bitter against such
employment, and there were many who
favored immediate action against it, The
resolution was indorsed and referred to the
legislative committee, which will investi-
gate the law that bears upon the employ
ment of girls under improper conditions.
and IL II cannot be brought against the
companies, will take action themselves IL
is said that some action is expected to be
taken by the American Federation of La
bor. which is convened in Boston, to put a
StOp the new practice.
QUESTION OF WAGES.
Organized labor charges that the practice
has been taken up by the telegraph COM
panies in order to secure cheaper labor, re-
gardless Of the results upon young girls.