The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-23
WOMAN BOOKBINDERS.
President of Local No. ~. I. h. Of H..
on &. T.. q. Affairs.

Editor The Washington Herald.
The article touching on the affairs OF
the Government Printing Office, published
ia The Washington Herald on the 50
instant, was evidently written by some
high official of local union 40 3. of Tire
International brotherhood Of Boukbind-
ers. 1t was 20 the effect that book
iqJinders objected 20 being suppl8nted by
women. and il is also stated tina. the
work done by women is of an i1rslio-
quality. what is known as STOP" work
It is only fair 90 the women 3. tae
Government Printing office shat the pub
lie be Informed of the facts relative e. the
conditions mentioned ia the article IDgve
referred TO- Women have been employed
IN the b00kbindng industry for years.
and / do not hesitate to say that the
great majority Of women in the Govern
ment Printing Office are expert workers.
The women part of the trade is rcspou-
sible, I'm a large measure. for the strength
and durability Of The book This age of
progress has seen the introduction of
women ir bookbmding work, ana Tie
hookbinders realizing the danger Of their
successful competition, decided, I'm con-
veuti0n, some years ago. 10 organize and
admit into their trade unions fine women
of this country and Canada employed
upon bindery work. IL was claimed that
the women would De given tho same
privileges which the men enjoyed
Ia the great fight for bread under the
piece-work system ia the Government
Printing Office. Public Printer SuIings
saw the idleness OF the women in the
folding room, and wherein he could al
leyiate the situation 10y giving To twenty
women work which was being done by
bOokbiuders, and which riEhtfUlly be-
longs 10 the former. The work done by
( these women has. in every instance.
given perfect satisfaction Had our
brothers of the craft consulted the Off
GERS of the Women's Bindery Union and
shown a disposition 90 treat IN this mat
ter, il would not have caused So much
unpleasant feeling. We are proud 90
know that the Public Printer is going TO
give the women a square deal
In 1871. the printers when they found
that their trade was being actively pur-
sued by women. vino were compelled to
work at wages below their scale imme-
/ diately elevated the dignity OF their
/ trade by inviting the women into their
unions, giving them equal pay for equal
work. For years the bookbinders have
been enCrOaching upon the work of the
women. the ripping of books has always
( been the work OF the latter. and I know
/ OF cases where men and women are work
+ ing side by side. performing the same
/ class of work. the men receiving 81 per
diem. while the women receive only s..
We have the greatest confidence IN the
ability of AIr. SuIlings to properly man
/ age the affairs Of the Government Print
/ ing Office and put il on business basis.
as he is "A thoroughly practical man, and
/ sees the justice of giving TO US all the
work which riEhtfuIy is ours. ] have
/ it from good authority that Mr.. SuIlings
( has given specific instruction to NJ.
/ Harry F. Ashton, acting foreman Of bind
I ing. to see to it. that all ripping, boxing,
and Collating be done by the women.
and, also, that all paging perforating,
numbering. stitching. and sewing ma
chimes be operated by women.
Mr. Sulliugs has seen the urgent need
/ of reforms all along the line, and has
/ had the moral courage to 60 ahead and
institute and enforce them. regardless Of
injury 10 the delicate and sensitive feel
/ ings Of many OF the employees Of the
Government Printing Office who have too
/ long had thirgs their own way.
In behalf of 1890 women that I have
the honor to represent. ] want TO thank
the Public Printer for so carefully guard
ing the interests of our trade.
MAMIE T. DANIEL.
President Women's Bindery Union.
Local No. a. ]. IS. Of b.