New-York tribune., 1909-12-16

chairman. said that nothing would be more
acceptable. and Mrs. Philip Lydig and
Miss Elsie de Wolfe passed the baskets.
which soon overhowed with bills Of large
denomination and pledges written upon
visiting cards. At the same time Miss
Marbury announced that Lee Shubert
would contribute half the receipts OF one
Of his best theatres for the whole OF next
week to the strikers
The gymnasium was packed for the occa-
sion with a fashionable audience, which in
cluded Nine. NOrdica. Mrs. o. II. p. Belmont.
Mrs. Clarence Mackay. Mrs. William X
Vanderbilt. Mrs. John Drexel. Miss Julia
Marlowe. Mrs. Frederic Tams. Mrs. Gilbert
Jones. Mrs. Julian Heath Miss Ida Tar
bell and Miss Jeanette Glider.
Mrs j. Borden Hartman, president OF
the Colony Club. introduced Miss Dreier as
chairman. and said that while the Colony
Club as a club was taking no action In re-
gard to the strike and could take none II
was glad to offer its rooms for the meet
ing. so that individuals who might be IN
terested could hear what the strikers~had
TO say. Miss Dreier then introduced John
Mitchell. who read the letter which the As
sociated Waist and Dress Manufacturers
had addressed 10 the organizers of the
meeting and said that II would be referred
to the New York State Board of Arbitra
uon. This statement was made In behalf
of Miss Morgan. Mrs. Winthrop and Miss
Marbury. and speaking for himself Mr..
Mitchell denied the assertion of the ernoIoy-
ers that they were willing TO arbitrate. as
they had refused he said TO arbitrate the
one essential point. namely, recognition of
the union.
Miss Clara Lemlich was then called 10 re-
fute that part of the letter which referred
10 herself, the employers having stated that
she had quoted her own wages AT 81 n
week. when in reality she was earning SIS.
Miss Lemlieh. wearing a gray coat and a
Ied nat took the stage with perfect com
posure.
My dear ladies'" she said. "I was the
one 10 move for a general strike II is
true that made SIS week. i never said
that l was making only So. I said that
other girls were. but even with s15 a week
II were to tell YOU all my troubles | think
you would be interested But / have no
right to kick when other girls are getting
only s."
Eight or nine OF the strikers foIIowa5
Miss Lemlich. but none of their names
were given. for. as Miss Dreier explained.
they couldn't afford to have it known that
they had spoken at this meeting.
The next speaker also had been getting
big salary. but she explained that
because one was scheduled for SIS a week
IL didn't necessarily mean that one got n
Il get SIS week for only two months.
when the season is steady" she said
Then l walk the streets. You are
charged If you break machine, even II
IT is not your own fault One girl had 10
pay IS for breaking a machine. Another
had 10 pay so cents for breaking a min
tucking foot. l think when an employer
gets pay for the work he ought to pay
for his own fOots."
Then came some little girls who said
that they were supporting families.
II earn S. 80 a week" said one. .and
support a family. l have no father. my
mother is sick and l have two little
sisters"
This child is only fifteen." said Miss
Dreier. 'and. according To the law. ousht
10 be working only eight hours a dav.
The majority OF the girls" she added
ARE between seventeen and twenty"
The next little breadwinner said she
had supported three little children and a
sick mother on 81 o. a week
That's all have to say she remarke1
after having stated these facts.
That's enough" responded the audience
All these speakers had been Jeu,Sh
girls. and Miss Dreier now introducad
a little Italian sister," who told ahon,
the jealousies between the Jews an,
Italians. which. as she alleged. ,he am
ployers fostered.
"Our employer she said. got = priest