The Washington herald., 1909-04-02
PRESENT PETITION
Formal Demand Made Upon Director
Ralph.
Head of Bureau OF Engraving aud
augurated by Miss Morgan.

Women employees Of the Bureau OF En-
craving and Printing presented their petit
ton for a minimum wage or s. a day to
Director Ralph yesterday afternoon. The
Director discussed the whole situation At
length with the welfare committee OF the
Women's Union, but will make his formal
reply In writing.
II was known in advance that the bud
get for this year would not permit Of Di-
rector Ralph's raising the wages, so no
disappointment was felt when he men
toned this fact He explained that the
recent order by the President that all de-
partments should observe the strictest
economy prevented him from advancing
the wages. he relies upon a future Con-
gressional appropriation 20 make up the
deficit
Director Ralph said he knew the pres
ent wages. ranging from SIS to $50.
were not sufficient fo- self-support. and
prevented him from setting girls from
the country. who ara strong and robust
and whose health would not suffer mate
rally from standing at the presses.
These girls must support themselves II
they come here, and they cannot DO this
AT 81 50 a day.
He stated that so far from being an
Increase OF applications for employment.
he now has printers and presses standing
idle because he is unable 10 get women
as printers assistants
The WOmen's Union already has It's
committee at work drawing up a bin for
a 50 minimum wage 10 be presented 70
Congress. and this viii be introduced al
an early date.
At the meeting OF the Bureau OF En-
craving and Printing employees TO be held
at Typographical Temple Sunday after
noon the terms Of this bin will be dis
cussed.
The following committee prepared the
petition which was presented TO Direc-
tor Ralph:
Mrs Eva Mcdonald valesh. Misses
Louise Dangel Gertrude McNally. Helen
BaHenger. Edna Hardy. Ada Hudson,
Narcisss Birdsall, SaIlie GFafiiin, and
Belle Trouland.
The petition presented 70 Director Ralph
called attention to the low scale OF wages
paid in many departments OF the bureau.
especially 20 the women employed as
printers assistants. Il is pointed out
that the laborious and responsible char
acter Of the work and the high cost OF
living in the District OF Columbia war
ranted the union In asking that the mimi
mum rate OF RACES be increased 20 g a
day for all women who have been en-
plc-ed in the bureau for more than SIX
months. The present request would in
volve only an extra payment OF 50 cents
day.
Copies Of the petition viii be sent 70
Secretary MacVeagh, Of the Treasury,
and the welfare committee OF the union
will seek an interview with him in order
TO persuade him that economy should not
extend 10 wages too low 10 live upon.
Mrs. Taft. as honorary chairman OF the
WOmans Civic Federation, has requested
TO be kept informed OF the progress OF
this and all other movements for the
welfare Of government employees. Miss
Anne Morgan, J. PierpOnt Morgan
daughter. who initiated the movement Is
taking the greatest interest in the plan
to procure higher wages.
At the meeting In typographical TEN
pie on Sunday Director Ralph, Samuel
GOmpers Frank Morrison. Eva Mcdonald
Valesh. Charles 7. Smith, President Leiss-
Ter. and George Foster, Of the Plate
Printers Union. have been invited tc
speak.