The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-06-10

Since the recent decision or Messrs.
Swan and Edgar, managers of a large
London department store, to abolish
the "living in" system among their
shop assistants, this much discussed
matter has once more aroused public
interest, writes the London corre-
spondent of the New York Sun.
Then, too, a lately produced play dis
closes in its opening act dreary pic
ture of the discomforts and even pri-
vations Of the unfortunate shop girls
who are victims of this system which
provides English employers with an
excuse for paying meagre salaries on
the ground that they board and lodge
their employees.
OF course, the living in arrange
ment is, like many other established
English customs, the survivor Of a
former successful and advantageous
system which changes in life and
times have rendered useless.
Years ago, when travelling was slow
and cumbrous, when the retail grocer
and dry goods merchant were men of
modest means but good standing, the
living in system was undoubtedly an
advantage for both employer and en-
ployes. The shop assistant was then
called an apprentice. For definite
number of years he was bound or ap-
prenticed by his parents to a master
who agreed to initiate him into all
the mysteries of the shop, to instruct
him in the details of buying and SELL
ing, and to lodge and board him in a
manner suited to his station. The
agreement was almost always well
kept. The apprentice became an in
tegral unit of the family, living with
them, eating with them and sharing
all the joys and sorrows of their fam
lily life. Of course, no payment was
given for his work, and after his time
of service was up he either stayed on
as sort of partner or started in for
himself on the same lines.
Time has brought far different con-
ditions into existence, and yet with
English tenacity the theory is main
tanned that workers in shops should
share living places under the jurisdic-
tion of shop owners. Distances are
no longer great. Six cents and twenty
minutes will take any one to Lon
don's most faraway suburbs by under
ground road. Men and and women,
boys and girls would be able to have
family life and still perform their
duties in stores adequately, yet there
are scarcely any establishments where
large enough wage is paid so that
the recipient can afford to live any
where except under the roof provided
by the master.
The high cost of living, the uncer-
tainty of labor, the dread of illness
and the poor return for thrift COM
pei the parents of the class from
which shop boys and girls are drawn
to see that their children are enabled
to bring home weekly few shillings
toward the household exchequer. In
order to do this the boys and girls
must accept board and lodging given
by their employers.
A few weeks ago in the Sun an ar
ticle appeared on shopgirl life in New
York. An attractive picture was
drawn of the sitting rooms, dining
rooms. social clubs, etc., at most
stores; of the care taken of them
when they are Ill, and of the liberal
wage paid them for their work. In
contrast to this 1t may be interesting
to know something of the shop life
of the courteous, gentle voiced Eng
lish shopgirl who always charms
Americans with her politeness and
patience and who manages to look
neat in her black gown despite the
trying conditions under which her
| daily toilet is made.
In the first place, If she is new.
conner, she may be giving her services
for the first month without any wage
If this is not the case she considers
herself lucky to have $1.25 a week
and when she does achieve as muct