Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-09-07
Commissioner Lyons Will
Investigate the Question
Why Do Girls Seek the Factory
Rather Than HouseWOfk.
Result will Be Included In Com.
niissioner's Annual Report.

Commissioner Lyons of the bureau
OF industrial and labor statistics has
determined TO enter upon a thorough
| investigation of the domestic help
problem and will begin upon the same
at once. In 1908, reports received
from responsible citizens indicated
that 10000 girls We're needed in Maine
to aid housewives. These returns
We're somewhat of surprise, and in
touching upon the matter in a news
paper story during the present year.
the total figures We're reduced to TO-
600. There is absolutely no doubt
but that Maine needs 10000 girls and
middle aged women to do housework.
1t is equally certain that the supply is
absolutely inadequate as compared to
this demand. The reference made to
these conditions by the bureau was re-
printed and discussed with such lively
interest in this and other states, that
Commissioner Lyons deemed it best
to investigate the matter further
The conditions which surround girls
doing housework in Maine homes will
be set forth in the report which will
lfolloW this investigation, together
with the wages that are paid. the girls
who accept such employment. their
nationality, hours of labor and privi-
leges. An effort will also be made to
ascertain why young women engaged
in factories and stores at small wages.
prefer their employment to domestic
work in view of the fact that the
wages paid are nearly the same while
the girl who does Homework also re-
ceives board and room while the fac
tory worker and clerk are compelled
to expend the greater part of their
earnings for the bare necessities of
life.
1t has been suggested that Names
scarcity of domestic help is charge
able to the unusually low scale OF
wages paid Such data as has already
come to hand indicates that the wages
paid in Maine average but little if any
lower than wages paid in other states,
and it is believed that the thorough
investigation will bear out that indl-
cation. The opinions of women VINO
hire girls to aid them in their domestic
duties will be sought in order that the
views of all concerned may be placed
at the disposal of the bureau. Girls
now engaged in doing homework Will
also be given an opportunity to say
WHY thew are so engaged, what con-
ditions surround them and what TO
their minds is necessary to so I'M
prove the calling that others Will seek
it.
Commits sioner Lyons is of the opin-
ion that domestic science training, If
popularized. would go long way
towards solving the house girl PROB
lem 1t is his belief that intelligent
Young women having adequate tram
ing in household duties would reaolly
find a market for their their kno"l-
edge and skill at good wages and uh-
der conditions far preferable TO tnose
which obtain in factories, stores OF VI
fees 1t is also his belief that II
many of the girls now engaged ia
manufacturing and mercantile estao-
lishments were cogniZant of the real
conditions which surround domestic
ann,ovment much of the Objection
would be thereby removed and many
pirls now eking out a bare existence
under far from healthful. moral. men
tai or physical conditions would a'
least give Homework trial.
Miss Eva l.. Shorey, whose work Tor
the bureau IN connection WIN
Investigations of conditions surrounu
ing the employment of women anu
children workers was so SUCCESSIVE
will have charge of this ne" inVesu-
CATION and will combine canvass ny
mail with personal interviews me
results of this investigation ana tne
conclusions derived therefrom VIII
form a very important part OF inns
wears report of the bureau OF lho"s-
trial and labor statistics.