The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-06-05

seats, Restrooins, where tired wo-
mei, workers might go for short
rest were found rs rare exceptions,
and in some establishments women
are even placed In charge Of priviesg,
chiefly for the purpose, It was stated,
to see that the girls did not absent
themselves too long from their work
under the excuse Of visiting Thorn.
In come instances what was called q
restroom was simply. one end OF the
\ privy partitioned off by o. six-to
partition from the reinaining inclos-.
ure. A few girls were found. using
this, not only ms a restroom, but as
the only available place In which to
sit to eat their Luncheon.
Mitch Of the work In connection
with tho handling Of meat has to be
q ture, but even here Gallons dlsro-
gard was everywhere seen for the
comfort OF those who worked III these
rooms. Girls and women were found
In rooms registering g temperature
,iatjon Whatever, depending entirely
upon artificial light. The floors we're
wet and soggy, and In some cases
covered with water, so that the girls
/ had to stand III boxes Of sawdust ne
a protection forS their feet. In few
fasSs syen r sFnnnss sd yG te I'd
through the ceiling upon the heads
Z of the workers and upon the food
products being prepared. A very
I slight expense would have furnished
5dricr floors and protected them
against tho o. t1 dss1I|sS fro \. the cell
lntendent ot these rooms that this
low temperature was essential to the
proper keeping OF the meats; but
precisely similar work was found In
other establishments carried on In
rooms kept at a fair temperature
In many casos girls OF sixteen, seven
teen and eighteen years stand ten
hours day at work, much OF which
could DO carried on while sitting
down.
In several establishments we'll
managed restaurants We're provided
for the clerical force. and In one IN,
stance n smoking room was provided
for them; but no provision was found
male laborcrs. In pleasant wea Their
they eat their lounceon sitting out.
doors along the edge of the side,
walks, OF, any place where they can
ever, and In Indictment weather.
their lunches have to be eaten In
rooms that In many cases are sitting
and nauseating. Eating rooms &are
provided In number OF places for
women workers In the various do
partments; and In most Of the large
establishments coffee is served them
at penny a cup Beyond this meager
consideration for their convenience
at meal times, scarcely any evidence
is found that any one gave thought
to their comfort.
Tho neglect on the part OF their
employers to recognize or provide
for the requirements Of cleanliness
and decency of the employees must
have an influence that cannot be ex-5
aggerated in lowering tho morals and
discouraging cleanliness on the part
OF the workers employed in the pack
lighthouses. The whole situation as
we saw 1t In these huge establish
ments tends necessarily and lnevita-S
bly}to the moral degradation Of thou
sands OF workers, who are forced to-
spend their working hours under
conditions that are entirely unnec-t
essary and objectionable, and which
are a constant menace not only to
their own health, but to the health OF
those who use the food products pre-
pared by them.