Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-02-19
WORKING WOMAN OF PORTLAND.
Special Report of Miss Shorey on
Wage Farmers of That City.

| Included in TIE annual report O.
Labor Commissioner Lyons. which ha.
! recently been filed with the Governor
| and Council, is an article by Miss Ev;
Shorey. the talented Bridgetor
writer. On Women Wage Workers
Miss Shorey has made an investiga.
ton of conditions in the city of Port.
land and her findings are embodied il
the report.
Miss Shorey's report says in part:
according to the last census in thu
city of Portland 5,53l women wage
earnerS were employed. In the eight
years since these statistics were gath
cred the number has increased. The
past few years have seen many
changes in the industries where
women gain a livelihood. It is said
that there are now in this county 500
occupations, and in all, save nine,
women may be found. In Portland
there are nine women who are
physicians, one is broker, several
are proprietors of business estab-
lishments. some form orchestra5
and furnish music, while others
teach the young people dane
ing. one has gymnasium, IA number
are principals of schools, and they may
be found in many other forms Of
gainful occupations. There are men
making women'S costumes, suits and
shirt waists. and women making mems
clothes and trimming mems hats.
More women are employed as sales
women in the stores of different kinds
in the city than in any other line of
business. not including domestic SER
vice. The census of 1900 gives their
number as 500. but this has more than
doubled in the past eight years. In
the four large department stores alone,
500 women are at work. Wages range
from those of the little cash girl ap-
prentices, some of whom ara paid
200 per week at first, to the more ex-
perienced and heads of departments.
who receive $500. or in some instan-
ces. $4,000 and $500. The average
wage of the minority is in the neigh
borhool Of 500. The working hours
in this business are nine, with the eX-
ception OF the few stores which are
oren until $50 o'clock Saturday even
ing. Some OF the lines Of business re-
quire greater skill in handling goods
than others, and in these the average
wages range 4 little higher.
Several of the proprietors Of the
stores say that in talking with young
girls who are leaving school FOR bust
ness they invariably advise them.
whenever it is possible. to keep on
with their studies. However, as long
AS 4 position for GRAND girls exists.
chara tt-il hn yl1a ~,
to fill them. There are opportunities
for girl in this business, who is do
sirous Of learning and is willing to ap-
ply herself, to later on fill some of the
higher paid positions but many OF
them continue 10 draw small wages
As our country grows larger and COM
petition more strenuous, the survival
of the fittest" is this, as in other lines
Of employment, is brought home to u.s.
"Some of these stores have places
for the clerks to prepare and eat their
lunches but the only one in which
welfare work has received special at
teAtion is in the recently remodelled
establishment of Eastman Brothers
& Bancroft, where z2I women and girls
are employed in the different depart
mentS Here rest room is provided
on the fourth floor. where the female
clerks are at liberty to go for a brief
respite when business is not rushing.
1t is cared for by two members of a
committee. chosen each month. There
is medicine closet. with simple reme-
dies, in case of sickness. There is al
SO lunch room for those living at a
distance in which they may prepare
ami cat their MONDAY repast. 1t is
kept tidy by two cash girls. The pro-
prlCtors allow the women to have full
charge Of the rooms and feel tha- q
few moments change in the monotony
Of the daily routine is of benefit to all
concerned. There is said to be quite
Il sentiment among the clerks against
anyone taking advantage of this
privilege, IN the neglect of duties. and
worry little difficulty arises from that
source. A spirit of comradSllip is
brought about by this association.
which is beneficial to all concerned.
and the chairman has a special inter-
est in the different clerks. When OBJ
serving the nervous, wearisome strain,
which these clerks are under, especial
ly during the busy hours of the day.
or at the holiday season. when they
are on the jump as one expressed 1t,
from morning till night. any plan
which gives them even moments
rest is to be welcomed.
There are 800 stenographers and
typists in the various mercantile. rail-
road and law offices in Portland. and
over 200 are taking courses in these
branches at the business colleges and
shorthand schools of the city. Wages
range from $3.50 to 5000 per week. a
large majority receiving below $1,000.
and not on an average over $500 Some
who have held positions for number
OF years. are paid $500. $500 and a
few rise to $1,000.