The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-14
NEW SONG OF THE SHIRT SUNG BY
STARVING VIENNA sEAMsTREssEs.
Eloquent Appeal to- N Famous Actress,
Helen OdiIon, for Aid and
Support.

TO bring their grievances before those who
owe at least a portion of their social or
professional success to their clever fingers
and nimble minds.
The starving girls are addressing a new,
terrible Song of the Shirt to the queens
or the drawing room and the stage. whom
the firm supplies with marvellous gowns.
One OF these appeals was sent TO Madame
Helen Odilon, the great actress, well known
In the United States. 1t reads as follows:
STARVING GIRLS TO THEIR SUCCESS
Full SISTER.
Madame Helen Odilon, Berlin: Dear
Madam-The newspapers are telling Of
your latest triumph on the stage, due TO
the talents that God gave you and your
own SURPRISING ability TO please and at
tract by personal beauty and rich attire.
You will agree with us that your Won
drously-refned, cleverly-conceived and
beautifulIy-executed gowns, outdistancing
the fashions OF the day and improving on
them, among your chief stage proper
ties.
NOW listen to this: At about the time
when your latest dresses created a we'll
deserved furore in the German capital, as
surfing your instant success in the part you
essay, at about the same time the women
and girls who made those sensational
gowns went on strike.
Five and sixty seamstresses employed by
your purveyors. Hoffman & Co., laid down
needle and scissors TO fight for humane
conditions; wages permitting us TO live in
decency, hours that allow TO breathe
Gods air once in while and sufficient in
tervals in the succession of labor TO assure
the necessary time for meals and rest.
This seems TO be an excellent oppor-
tunity, dear madam, to acquaint you with
the mode Of manufacturing your splendid
robes; money-makers for all interested,
but us-for you, your manager and COM
pany, for or masters and stockholders;
for manufacturers OF silks, laces, jewels,
stuffs. for dyers. weavers, embroidery
makers. for everybody but us who seem
doomed 10 starvation. Here are the facts,
madam
THE STRIKERS DEMANDS.
1--WE demand a minimum wage of two
kroners. 42ls cents per day. Perhaps you
will not believe US. but all Vienna papers
have printed the fact and commented on
1t, some upholding US, others complaining
that we want the earth. We are not afraid,
though. that you will take the latter view,
seeing that you have time and again re-
fused, with becoming scorn, a seamstress'
yearly wage for an evenings performance.
Dear madam. you pay our masters ten
thousands Of forms per annum. all told.
Your gowns cost you the greater part of
your income. Reflect for a moment on
what we get, we who invent and build and
make successful the gowns that materially
contribute TO your success.
Wages: THE present wage Of seamstress
ment is one kroner and forty hellers, 29Z
cents You are not naive even enough,
madam. to imagine that a girl or woman
can remain honest with so little between
her and starvation. Madam. we have au-
thority for saying that. like other great
ladies. you are most liberal to our en-
ployes. You never dispute their charges,
you pay your bills promptly-they have
assured US OF that. Yet with all your lib
crafty. despite the enormous profits made
on your orders, the firm insists upon grind
ing US to the bone. The clothes that thou
sands of women go to paid for with
our dishonor. our health. with pangs Of
hunger. with early death and other griev-
ances OF which you, happily. have idea
whatever. II it were not so, IL II had re-
quired other real coin to build them. you
would not have them on your back; our
firm will pay no more than 29@ cents for a
day of eighteen hours.
Helen Odilon, we invite you to step un-
awares into any grand tailoring establish
ment while the seamstresses are at work
upon one of your gowns. The time, we as
sure you. will not be lost; you may gather
impressions there for some part that you
may be called upon to play sooner or later
some tragic part.
THE theater. we believe. closes at 1890
Afterwards you may go to supper, take a
good rest and long drive.
you will find US at work no matter how
late you come. especially If you select the
night from Saturday to Sunday Come al
any time between Z midnight and a m
The majority OF the bent, emaciated figures
you will see have been at 1t since 6 a. m
Saturday. and If the master likes, they
will continue to stitch, stitch, stitch until
Sunday noon.
Really. madame. IL will pay you to take
look at us. As stated, you may be able
TO use the impressions when portrayine
the part of an extremely poor girl. buffeteC
by misfortune and made pale and haggarC
by want. There are poets. we understand
who write dramas around such as we are
and, according TO the newspapers, realism
continues In favor.
SHOULD COME UNANNOUNCED.
But take a care, madame to come unan
nounced If you are looking for the 'rea
thirg' In that case you may have occa
sio TO see some young. lean, wasting EN-
br leress swoon In her chair while bendin,
O the lacework intended to adorn you
W ite neck. Ii happens every little while
and the breakdown and fall OF the unfortu
nate may teach you some new stage effect
'-Or. come at some other time-at noon
for instance. when the seamstresses engage,
on your robes are not allowed to eat Iik
other people; 1t is dismissal to take
mouthful! Yet must live-at least, W
think so. We, therefore. carry the food nee
essary to sustain life in small mouthful
loose in OR pocket, and when nobody i
looking pull out piece and stuff 1t in on
mouths. But oh, how careful one must b
that Hoffman & Co. get no inkling OF tn
crilnei
Better still. visit twice In one day
once. at $50 or in the morning. and agai
at IL or 11:30 at night. 1t Will do you n
harm. madame. to find out how many hour
the authors OF your brilliant stage acces
series sit over their work with bent back
pale faces and eyes strained TO the utmost