The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-02-27
WAGE EARNING WOMEN.
A Report on Their Condition in Portland

"a NAS>AN>-'
Hon. Thomas J. Lyons, State COM
missioner of industrial and labor statlS
tics. has made public the report of an ill.,
vestigation of the condition of women
wage earners in Portland, made by
Miss Eva L. Shorey, formerly secretary
to Congressman Edwin c. Burlelgh.
The number reported at the census OF
1900 was 5351, which has greatly In
creased, the population of the city hay-
ing increased an estimated 20 per cent.
The $50 saieswomen Of 1900 have
more than doubled in numbers, four
large stores alone employing more than
go. Wages range from s. per week
paid to some cash girl apprentices,
While heads of departments receive IN
some few instances $50 to So. The
average is in the neighborhood of 81.
The report says: There are num-
Der of young girls i'll the department
stores, employed as cash and bundle
girls, who have graduated from the
school grades. When questioned as to
why she left school so young one re-
piled: L wasn't learning anything that
would help me make my living 1t is
difficult for child, or many parents, to
see that High school course with its
Latin and French will be of any practl-
cal assistance later i'll life. In some
instances it is necessary for the chill
dren as they grow older to assist in pay
ing the family expenses, but III the ma
jority of cases it is because the parents
do not fully realize the harm they are
doing their children'S future in allow
ing them to stay out of school when a
desire and determination is shown to
n
these cases: "A few dollars look at
ing is taken the earning capacity viii
remain small. These are the ones who
would be benefited by the introduction
of more effective industrial courses in
the schools.
Fifteen women are employed in Port
land floral stores. 1t is "a business
which especially appeals to the femi-
nine nature, and wages range from $40
to SIS and a very few as high as $25
week.
There are 500 stenographers and
tpyists in Portland, whose wages range
from $3.50 to $50 week, a large ma
jority being below $40 and not on an
average above IS. One woman in a
business office receives $1,000 year.
The III telephone operators receive
$3.50 to $40 per week, averaging about
s..
There are 1856 practicing women
nurses in Portland. Trained nurses
from hospitals receive 50 per day and
higher prices for work on cases OF con-
tagiouS diseases. Other nurses usually
receive about SIP per week.
The 200 women employees of the laun-
dries receive Sc to IS per week. The
100 milliners receive S. to $25, averag-
ing about $40.
The hotels and restaurants employ
1895 women whose wages average 81 to
Sc per week and living expenses. Some
receive as high as SIS per week.
The 41S garment workers earn S. to
SIS per week, averaging about So. The
hundred women and girls in the shoe
factories earn 81 to 81 per week for the
newer workers and IS to $40 for expert
enced help. Dressmakers and seam
stresses receive IS to so per week, except
that women who go out to sew receive
50 per day and upwards. In the paper
box factories the pay is So to $12 per
week, averaging about s.. The candy
makers receive So to Sc per week, aver
aging about 81 so. Chewing gum work
ers start at $3.50 and are advanced to
S. or Sc week.
Conditions are similar in the other
industries, printing. binding, neWspa-
paper work, chiropodists, manicurists,
shampooists, canning, medicine manu-
featuring, which are reported by Miss
Shorey.
She comments on the matter 10y say
ing: THE fact that SO many live at
home doubtless has much to do with
keeping the average salary as low as 1t
is. 1t is difficult, in the lower price To-
calities, to find even small heated
room as low as $50 per week. For
the greater part they are 50 and above
that figure. Meals are from So to So
week, with the prospect Of their being
more rather than less"