The Washington herald., 1909-04-11
LOW PAY OF WOMEN
IL BRITISH SERVICE.

There is universal sympathy with The
effort of she women ef the Bureau Of
Engraving and Printing % have the
salary OF this most Iaborious Of all cirn
service Increased 50 cents per DAY. There
is probably, no more wearing work IN
the city than service on the hand presses:
the work IL al accomplished standing.
the hours are long. the attention 10 the
work IS inressant for the printer depends
entirely on the WatchfuIness Of his assist
ant. who warns him If his work IS not
perfect
The girls are practically prisoners. az
they are not allowed 10 leave the build
ing az lunch time and. most fretting of
All 70 dainty feminiuity, the neat street
costumes are laid aside at the beginning
ot the day and the oldest clothes and
heelless shoes put on. for the odor OF the
INK ls 50 clinglng hat garments worn at
the presses are unit 10 wear elsewhere.
But II these weary and underpaid WON
on can md any consolation IN the mis-
! cry loves company" idea. let them look
I into the condition Of their sisters over
sea IN 'merrie" England In only one
OF the great departments OF The British
/ civil service. that OF the post-oaice. are
there appointments open 10 women For
these the competition is keen, as the posi-
I ton is practically for life. unless ons
Inarrles. and a tiny pension 20 retire on
The pOSt-0fiCe controls the teIephoua
I telegraph. parcels post and savinss bank
business, ia addition 10 what We OF
I America understand as postal business
stamps are used IN every form OF busi-
ness. no receipt for more than g. IS valid
unless penny stamp Is affixed Leases.
bills Of sale. contracts. intenturss vrIlIs.
and in fact every kind OF legal paper
goes 70 the post-Ofice 70 be stamped. the
value OF the stamp ranging from a penny
( sometimes into pounds where large in
/ terests are involved. All this kind OF
| work women can DO. and do well. bur
\ various kinds OF knowledge IS REQUIRED
I and those stand the best chance q. sue
+ cess who train for years before going up
I Tor examination.
/ The examination includes two Ian
\ guages. English history. and algebra
I shorthand and typeEtiting are some
/ times required And candidates must be
I a. least five feet high without their boots.
I There - no use IN England for the little
/ gir-, she can neither be parIor-uaid.
clerk nor bar-maid. Il her inches are
+ less than sixty.
{ u successful in examination. the wom-
[ an clerk begins as second class clerk. AZ
I the salary OF E55. about $40 per wear.
\ and after six years rises 70 so. ecualIng
$Ss5- In another six years she VIII receive
@lef, and after eighteen years of hard
4 work VIII reach the princely wage or
SD, she has been promoted 10 the
/ rank of first class clerk II one lives long
Y enough and passes successfully higher
( examinations one may reach the position
/ Of superintendent az e529 % $50 The
lower grade workers n this service are
glrl clerks. sorters and learners
Learners pass an examination similar
I 20 that rOf female skilled Izb0re-s here.
! with the addition OF geography and teIeg-
ra2hy- While learners they receive Z shil-
hngs q week Cnot 81 for the first year o.
service, after that about s. per week
AfJer four years q service the wage nav
I reach 8 shlu-nCs a week A shilling Is
/ - cents OF United States money The
Sorters begin az = shilli1gs and work I'D
slowly 10 50 s-illings- Eight hours IS a
I day, but sunday work IS often required
and az holiday times the postal business
is ver- heavy
Food IS as hign in England as here:
rent IS less. but the luckless tenant pavs
al the taxes, and poor rates. and zee Tc-
the Established Church. q matters no,
what his faith. 50 that tackled on 10 the
rent makes the price OF a roof over ones
head an expensive matter God only
knows the self denial o. these brave
English girls.