The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1912-08-28

is breathed by the women, many
of whom camplain of chronic cough
and colds. The dust and dirt are
so thick upon the clothes of the
girls that at the noon hour which
in many cases consists of but a few
minutes. and at the close of the
days or nights labor. the girls have
TO sweep each other clean with
brooms."
The custom of working Newcomer
all night, it was learned, was per-
manent. Married women were So
lected. and for their labors, which
started at shutdown and lasted until
$50 O'Clock in the morning. they
received never more than 81 8
week. In many families the hus-
band was employed at an average
wage of about IS during the day,
This woman testified that she
could not work during the day be-
cause of her children. When asked
when she arranged to sleep. she ex-
planned that she stole few hours
rest in the morning while her neigh
bors cared for her children.
William NJ Greig. superintendent
of the Harvester Irvine mills, was
closely questioned by Mr.. Elkus. Mr..
Greig informed him that the mills
employed about 400 women, of
whom 200 worked all night. He
was asked who was responsible for
the existing conditions.
All our regulations as TO shifts
and general conditions come from
the home office at Chicago" he re
piled.
who decides how long every EN-
ployee is to work." asked Mr.. Elkus
That is decided by one man. Mr.
Rice"
and under whose instructions
loes he act?"
He gets his orders from the board |
II directors in Chicago"
How often do you report to the |
lome Office"
Every day"
"And do you report everything |
hat happens?" Asked Mr. Elkus.
Practically everything" was the
eply.
Here in effect are the reports OF !
he personal statements of few OF
he girls as to the conditions under
which they worked;
Katie Nelson, an Austrian, seven
cen years old. Works from ut |
light until $50 in the morning. Her
ister works during the day. Must |
tand on her feet all day. Is paid by |
he piece and receives on the aver
Ige 81 week.
Mary Provi.-Nineteen wears old |
md has been working in the mill |
or three years. Her hours are from /
$50 a. m until 6 p. m. She re-
elves fifteen minutes at noon in
which to walk home Ga FIVE minute
galk), take her lunch and come
'ack. Her feet and throat bother
Ter continuously, and she is fire
ucntly sick She complains that
he floor is dangerously slippery
Fhere she works and the dust thick
When she comes home she must do
for her mother and
ather.
Josephine Cristenolli -- Sixteen
ears old, born in Italy Works
rom sunrise until p m for ST q
week. Must push loads of twina
across the floor weighing about $50
pounds. Has no time to sit down
md gets ten minutes for lunch. Com
'lains Of suffering in her feet, head
md hands. When she cuts her fin
gers she is quickly taken care of in
he factory and sent back to work
explained that II she and the other
girls arrived later than 7 in the
4 orning they are not allowed to
work until noontime. As they ar
aid by the piece this is equivalent
0 docking their wage. The knives
lsed by the girls for cutting twinc
rust be bought by them and if on-
s stolen they must buy another.
Martha Blink lis an inspector ami /!
eceives 1875 a day Is eighteen
ears Of age ad Pole. Says that
ghen an employe is sick she is paid
.9lf her regular earnings,
Rose di Pasquale. Aged thirty
line Supports a family on an aver
se wage of $6.40 Says all the
iris are encouraged to work over
jme and at highest speed
Lizzie Simiali Forty-two years
# age. Supports family of four
md husband on an average wage
# 81. When asked about the way
he lived she declared: 1--WE get
,nough to eat sometimes. But We
20 to work hungry just as often"
The Senatorial Investigating Com.