The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1910-05-26

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Wisely, though ironically, perhaps, the
exhibition was placed in a house of wor-
ship, the Church of the Messiah, Saith
street and Park avenue, and on the very
edge of the shopping district. One block
from Fifth avenue, where hundreds of
automobiles are busy carrying wealthy
shoppers from place to place, in neck
breaking pursuit of lace, collars, dresses
and flowers, the modest members of the
organization have taken it upon them
selves to show these women the condi-
tions under which most of these luxuries
Fare made.
1t may, perhaps, be indelicate of the
Consumers League to spoil the pleasure
OF wealthy shoppers, and it undoubtedly
is extremely unkind of them to allow the
bitter cry of the children to disturb the
satisfaction of a trip to Tifanys s, but
1t cannot be denied that there are SOME
reasons for this rather inconsiderate act.
The reasons are all put down in black
on white. The walls of the church are
/ decorated, or to be more exact, marred
with photographs of children at work.
Above these photographs are placed, in
biting contrast, the product of that work.
Not satisfied with this, and to make the
impression doubly effective the price paid
for that work is marked in plain figures.
The whole tells story that must be most
well with the world.
Think of having spent a day in the
rich stores of the city; after being coax
ed by the saleslady and smiled upon by
the manager, to have to gaze upon this
exhibition.
1t is an extremely unpleasant show for
the complacent and the respectable One
photo shows u family, mother and five
| little ones, working or tIoMess The chill /
dren busily use their little fingers to sup
port themselves. All they get for their
work, we are told, is 90 cents for IA
| flowers.
Next to this photo is one just as pa
thetic 1t represents group of seven
little ones, Of kindergarten age, at work
on roses, large, pink roses, for which they
get S cents dozen.
There are pictures of children at work
| on gloves and others of children at work
in sweatshops. Small, delicate, fraiI lit
tie ones, spending their playtime and
nights helping their parents finish coats
and pull out hastings.
One photo, called the 'High- Chair
Worker, shows four year-od little boy
pulling cotton from heavy coat. An
other tragic picture shows a family wrap.
ping papers on cigarettes at a remunera-
ton OF 10 cents per 1000. The children
lnhale the tobacco and evidently hate the
work. Another pictrre shows a group of
lnfant-toilers making pompons for so
cents dozen. An inscription announces
that one dozen is the output for day.
An example of skilled work is shown
in the form Of pair of baby's bootees
all crochet work-which sell at retail
| receives 20 cents a Dozen She was a
fast worker and could turn out one pair
every hour, her hourly earning being one
and one-third cents.
Not satisfied with this display, the la
dies have gone further and have marked
the prices, of which there are two to
each article-one paid to the child for
~ A~ osAASA 40 pau Dy tue Duy-
er- OF course, business is business, and
no sane person except he be a Socialist,
would even remotely suggest that under
paying child and overcharging a Gus
toner, is robbery. 1t is legitimate, and
that settles it.
But this Legitimate transaction is
| of gruesome aspect. On the same walls
with the photos there are the articles
produced, the price paid for manufac-
turing, and the price charged to the pur-
! chaser.
Here are few examples:
Lace collar; worker gets 35 cents a
dozen, consumer pays So.
Lace collar; worker gets So a dozen,
consumer pays SIS.
Medalions; worker gets cents apiece,
| consumer pays 80 cents.
Medalions; workers get II cents doz-
en-, consumer pays Sc.
Medalions; workers get 80 cents doz-
en-, consumer pays Sc
Children s bootees; workers get 20
cents dozen, consumer pays So.
Earning capacity for doing that work.
one and two-thirds cents per hour.
The aim of the exhibition is to do
away with child labor, it was explained.