The Washington herald., 1912-05-04
AID SHOULD BE EXTENDED
WAGE-EARNING WOMEN TO
RAISE THE SALARY SCALE
d. FRANcEs sHAFFER.

Some one took the trouble recently TO
send TO a big newspaper in New York
complaint regarding the discrimination
sometimes shown in favor OF men and
women already well on the downward
grade. to the neglect Of those who push
forward, with the odds against them.
It seems that woman Of wealth visit
ed the Night Court, where she heard
the story OF a young girl charged with
waywardness She became interested
and not only secured the girls release,
hut promised to find home for her and
TO arrange for her education.
And her kindly action brought well-
intentioned protest from a correspondent
whose grievance was that this philan-
thropic woman had gone out Of her way
TO assist one already marked with the
unsightly color of her own waywardness.
when right under her vision there were
women who struggled. desperately
enough. in the face of poverty. evil en-
vironment and adverse circumstances, TO
hold their own and look the world
squarely in the face. s
The correspondent complained that such
action put a premium upon wrong-doing
and brought discouragement TO the class
of women who remained true TO them-
selves in spite OF conditions that dragged
uLnGIh OONlls IL ILnut AAlEAA eASh wy
they were left to struggle alone, while
others who went down were helped, not
only to regain their footing in the old
life but prepared for a fairer, easier
and better way.
Helped NeedIest.
In commenting upon the attitude of
r the correspondent, the newspaper said
that doubtless many others asked the
same question and. saw tho same in
justice without entering into great
reasons why, it pointed to the mission
Of the Hfe-saving crew and said it was
always the sinking ship that was given
first aid, though in the distance, or right
at hand. others might be struggling
against the wind and the high seas.
And so with the woman who was In
deep water, but still keeping her little
craft aioat. and the other who struggled
and went dOwn-the helping hand was
extended TO the neediest.
But I want to tell you something else
that came TO mind as the case was
cited.
When Mrs. Pankhurst was in New
York, making observations Of life as
it runs there, and comparing them with
similar conditions in London, she drifted
to the Night Court, and there she found
many cases similar to the one quoted.
Her Defense.
Among others who came before the
Judge there was a young woman who
had been brought there to answer
serious charge. Before the last word
was said deciding her fate the girl asked
for chance in self-defense.
II was granted, and she said that she
never got away from her better self
-
regarding her employment and was told
that she worked in a cigar factory. Her
wages? Three dollars a week-when she
worked. She was not working then, and
she must live. And what did she have
in reserve? Absolutely nothing.
Her story ended there, but II is not
difficult to carry il to a finish. unless
some one. true and appreciative of her
needs. steps in the breach, with a ten
der of help.
The sorry. @ut eloquent tale Of disas-
take the trouble to lift the curtain that
separates one class from another.
II throws some light on the why for
many of the failures to keep ahoat and
makes us realize that at least some
Of the human driftwood that is the
worst of all might have grown worth
while If economic conditions had been
easier. Easier? One might better say
just livable, becausee s. a week. when
one works, nothing when work is not at
hand. is not a IivabIe wage, whatever
the standard may be.
ShOuId Have Praise.
And it seems that all grades of So
ciety should have nothing but praise for
the philanthropist who makes it possible
for woman to live-and still remain
true to herself and the laws.
And that nothing but cooperation
should be given to men and women
who seek to bring about helpful legis-
lation, TO remove difficulties and to re-
build q better fabric of work for the
woman who must win her own way IN
life.
II the wage is so far down that she
cannot secure the barest necessities Of
life, what then?
Apparently the whole world admires
and in a large way pins Its faith to
beautiful womanhood.
Why not help those who are striving
TO make 1t easier for all women, the
world over, to reach a standard which
will permit them to hold their own?