The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-06-03
WOMEN'S VOTES WOULD
Be BOON TO ARMY OF GIRLS
WHO Toll IN FACTORIES
Kalamazoo Corset Strike Re
veals Need for Better Con-
ditions in Factories
SQUARE DEAL GREAT NEED
Equal Right to Vote Would Give
Opportunity to Correct
Present Defects 49,
SQUARE DEAL GREAT NEED
BY THE SUFFRAGE EDITOR.


Woman suffrage Is the working
girls friend. something to be revered
instead OF scoffed at. This Ia truth
that is being forcefully Demonstrated
in countries where tho women are
voting. II is also beginning 10 assert
itself in states OF this country where
the women are on an equal footing
with the men in regard to the bal
lot.
How can woman suffrage benefit
the working girl? Simply by bring
ing about better Legislation for tho
control OF factories and other places
where girls are working; also by get
ing laws which aim TO give girls a
living wage -..s
Were woman suffrage IN force In
Michigan, II Is not likely that the
girl corset strikers at Kalamazoo
would have occasion to regret t. For
II is just such conditions with which
they have had to contend that women
hope to overcome with their votes.
| They plan 10 elect legislators who
will give the girl-workers better san
itary surroundings In the factories
and better moral protection.
or course, the women who are adj
vocatng votes for women" don't pre-
tend to say that all factories show a
| disregard for the welfare of their
girl employees. Nothing OF the sort.
They know that there are factories
where the girls are surrounded with
| the 7ery best OF conditions. But the
great pity is that all employers OF
girls do not treat the latter with the
consideration they should have.
The suffragists of Detroit and, in
fact, the whole state OF Michigan, are
heart and soul in sympathy with the
Kalamazoo corset strikers. and will
give them any assistance possible TO
help them win their fight for better
pay and purer surroundings. moral
and otherwise. The suffragists feel
that the corset workers are in the
rish: IN
A number of them, including Miss
Josephine Casey, organizer for the
girls, have been sent to jail for con
tempt of court"
In explaining the corset workers
troubles TO one OF the suffrage edi-
tors Of The Times, Miss Zoe Rey-
nolds one OF the strikers discharged
by the corset company, because or be-
ing TOO prominent in the Kalamazoo
union of the corset workers, said:
''The sanitary conditions in the fac
tory were very bad, and only two
towels a day were provided for from
three hundred 10 four hundred en-
ployes. In addition to this, the girls
were often subjected 10 offensive re-
marks from men, some OF them hold
ing important positions with the com
pany. a4s
"But Il was the request for better
wages that led up to the strike. Most
of the girls were making very small
pay, few getting as high az IS a
week When we asked for more
money, the company wouldn't listen
TO us-wouldn't recognize our union
nor submit to arbitration"
Why do not the leading men OF
toe city step in and help the strik-
ers?" Miss Reynolds was asked.
Simply because most of the prom
inent men OF the city are stocknold-
ers in the company" Miss Reynolds
replied.
why don't the girls leave the fac
tory IL they are underpaid and sub
jected to indigniues?" was suggest
led to Miss Reynolds.
! "They can't very well leave" an
swered Miss Reynolds, because many
of them have families depending on
them"
The suffragists request the aid OK
the public for the corset factory
strikers and will appreciate financial
assistance. Subscriptions may be sent
TO Suffrage Editor, Detroit Times.