The Washington times., 1909-03-22
Petition Presented to Di-
rector Ralph BY Officers
of New League.
INCREASE IN PAY
AMONG REQUESTS
Unionizing of Female Employees of
the Bureau Had Its lncep-
ton Last Night.

Director RalphS door swung inward
pnd into his private Office marched siN
bright. sprightly and animated young
women. the color of their cheeks height
ened with the enthusiasm OF the high
purpose that filled their minds Thf
director looked up from his desk, bowen
Eravely. and said in his pleasantest
tone: "wil you please be seated. ladies. "
one OF the group of six stepped for
ward and laid on the directors desk a
neatly folded official looking paper. II
was a petition. and the director took IL
and smiled
Their Petition.
The petition asked that the pay Of
the women workers be raised from s1.0e
TO 500, that they be granted thirty
DAYS sick leave in addition to their an
nuaI leave, and that their conditions
he surrounded with as much comfort
as possible.
Thus today, precisely at noon, in the
office of Director Ralph. OF the Bureau
of Engraving and Printing was given
official recognition to movement tn
unionize the women toilers Of the bu-
reau, just as the men of the Govern
lnent's big money-making shop are
unionized, with the idea of promoting
their general welfare.
Initial Movement
This unionizing movement, which in
the light Of similar altrustic aims has
come TO be popularity known as an
'upIift' movement, had It's beginning
last night when zoo or more women and
girls of the Bureau Of Engraving and
Printing met with Mrs, Eva Macdonald
Yalesch, sixth vice president Of the
-xar1fs. faf1 -f.Fa
of the RochambeaU and LAID their initial
plans Further steps were taken to
day, when the committee. cOmpised Of
Miss Helen Craven Baneneer. Miss
Louise bangle. Miss Narcissa Birdsal,
Miss aSlly Grafflin, Miss Edna Hardy
and Miss Gertrude McNulty, called by
appointment on Director Ralph and told
him Of their plans of organization and
their hopes of lettering the condition
of the gOmen breadwinDCTs III the
Bureau, come z. 400 in all
Director Ralph gave his hearty ap-
prevail OF this movement He Is III SYM
pathy with any movement that aims
10 improve the welfare of either men
or women employees. Further lac VIII
not oppose their plea for increased pay
Ralph Approves
.'Of course, I am in entire sympathy
with any movement to tighten the bur
dens of the women workers in this bu-
reau." said Director Ralph after his fair
Adu fttAttlt0 20 AllFll re-
spective presses This has been one Of
my chief aims since becoming the head
or this bureau. This Will be more COM
pletely realized when we get our new
building. for then We VIII have an ideal
workshop and one la which the COM
fort and vell-betng OF all employees viii
be the first consideration.
AS TO increased pay, that is a matter
which must be settled by Congress. /
would not oppose "a request for more
compensation for the women workers.
but even fl i we're 10 recommend il in
p report. IL would remain for Congress
10 agree The present pay is higher
han the average paid wOcen IN depart
ment stores and manufacturing con-
Germs. and with efficiency there IS ex-
cellent chance OF promotion. When
both sides OF this salary question are
looked into, it is plain that the women
workers IN the bureau are well of.
To Complete Organization.
Following the meeting last night at
tie Rochambeau. the temporary officers
VIII meet Mrs. Valesh tomorrow night
when a constitution will De drawn up
and permanent organization perfected
1t is probable that the temporary Off.
GERS, Miss =. L. Han, president: Miss
ADA Hudson, secretary, and Miss Helen
Craven BallenSer, treasurer, viii be
Elected az permanent officers. A name
Tor the new organiZati ton Will also be
selected, and arrangements made 10 ap
ply 10 the American Federation Of La
Dor for charter
In the near future, when the orsaniza
ton Is perfected. 3 supplementary pc
tition Will be handed TO Director Ralpl
asking that the minimum wage paid tn,
girls be increased from 81 80 to 81 90 ant
that thirty days leave. Of absence b,
granted. Under the present arrange
ment the printers assistants in tn,
bureau receive $f.25 from their printe
and , cents day from the Govern.
ment. II their pay was increased f,
500 a day, in accordance with thei
petition, it would require the Govern
n1ent 20 meet the extra % cents a dav
10 do which would mean an extra an
preparation of about $500 600 = wear
Next Thursday evening "A mass meet
ing of the union VIII be held in a hal
10 be selected tomorrow night