Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1913-03-10
so TESTIFIES A MERCHANT
THE ILLINOIS VICE COMMISSION
OBTAINS SOME RELIABLE
INFORMATION.
WILLING TO RAISE PAY
ONE EMPLOYER SAYS HE WOULD
LIKE TO SEE GIRLS WELL
REMUNERATED.

Chicago, H., March 1O-The com
mission investigating the relation of
immortality among shop girls to their
lack of proper wages was encour-
aged today by statement of
prominent men who were questioned
that they would be willing to raise
the wages of girls in their employ
if it can be show1s that they cannot
live on the stipend paid them.
James Simpson, vice president Of
Marshall Field and Company, was re-
called to the witness chair before the
state vice commission today. The
room was again filled, the spectators
being largely women.
Simpson was asked again as to the
profits of his company and again
asked to be excused from answering.
He assured the commission that Mar
shall Field and Company could well
subscribe to any minimum wage scale
of women, which might be adopted.
1T is inevitable he said, that any
increase would be paid by the public.
Senator JUL brought UP the subject
of work during Christmas week, but
dropped some question he had in mind
when Simpson said that hours were
heightened only half hour day.
Senator Tossey asked if Marshall
Field and Company could raise the
minimum wage of women to 50 a day
without raising prices Of goods to the
consumer 1t could be done, Simpson
said, and without materially affecting
the profits Of the firm.
George fytton, vice president OF he
Hub, next faced the commission, with
his back to the spectators Lieutenant
Governor Barrett O'Hara, chairman Of
the commission, explained that the
commission desired to ascertain the
relation of low wages to immortality
among women.
Lytton said that it was the practice
of the Hub to give annual presents
to its employees, Independent OF the
profits of the year He asked to be-
excused from answering a question
asking what percentage of the net pro-
fits Of the firm the gifts formed. rhe
Hub employs 15O women, none Of
whom receive less than $3.50 week.
DO you have to charge moro for
clothing than others because Of hi yh-
er wages?" asked Chairman OHara.
ooh, no"
do you believe it is good policy tc
pay good wages?"
Certainly"
Lytton declined to state the profits
of his firm. There are 1O4 women at
the Hub receiving $3.50.
1T had been estimated that 1t costs
eight or nine dollars to maintain a
young woman, said Senator Jaul.
Where does the difference come
fromY"
eThey live at home and it comes
from their parents"
"Then you take all Of girls time
and skill and expect her parents to
help pay her wages?s pursued Iuul.
Il Will say that we have been con-
sidering raising the minimum wage
to Ss.'
Witness said he had devoted much
time to the wage question as it af-
fects women, and that woman can
live on S. a week. He promised to
give the commission a schedule Of the
expenses Of a working girl.
What we want. said Senator JUL,
is what she must spend. Never mind
the pleasures. l suppose when we
pass law, wen have 70 add dollar
or two for recreation and the like"
The Hub, besides It's gifts. has A
pension fund and sick benefits lgt.
ion was emphatic ii stating that lhs
lIiub could we'll afford % pay Mini