The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-07
WAGE PROBE is ON
Merchants Testify Before ILL.,
nOiS State Senate.
Endeavor to Ascertain Relation
of Low Wages to Vice.

Chicago, March There was a
tense, dramatic moment at the end of
the forenoon session of the state SEN
ate vice commission. julius Rosen-
valid, president of Sears, Roebuck &
Company, ulti-millionaire, philan-
thropist and employer of over 1000
women, himself at one time head of a
vice investigation, had been on the
witness stand for hours testifying to
the wage scale of his company and
explaining in his judgment wages and
the immortality of women had little
to do with each other. The
small room where. the sessions
are being held was packed with a
women. Then a young woman. clad
in black, answering to the name of
Emily took her seat in front of the
inquisitors and by the side of Rosen-
valid. She had been employed BY
SearS-Roebuck, but left there to take
a better position. Her only criticism
of the firm was that the forewomen
''ScOlded" and made some of the luck
less culprits guilty of some infraction
of the rules cry. This did not occur
every day. however.
Suddenly attention became acute as
Lieutenant Governor Barrett O'Hara,
a young man, leaned over and, with
bushes, asked the witness a question
which he found difficulty in wording.
I'VE have a great deal of philoso-
ply here today from men; now let
US find out what yours its If a girl
was getting IS a week (the minimum
paid by Sears-Roebuck to girls living
alone) and had to support a widowed
mother, would you blame that girl if
shelf she-she committed a crime?'
The witness looked puzzled for a
moment, and then, compromising,
looked up frankly and replied:
NO: l would not.
would you blame her if she killed
herself?''
phatic reply.
and would you blame her if she
committed a greater crine?''
The chairman's meaning was ap-
parent in his embarrassed tones and
his bushes and by now the girl was
the more composed of the two. She
paused just moment and then re-
peated distinctly:
No, / would not
The room had been painfully quiet, |
but at this there was a round of ap-
plause led by the women spectators, |
and the first geenral spontaneous out |
dismissed.
Leading merchants of Chicago |
were called before the state senate |
today in an endeayor to ascertain the
relations of low wages paid to women
to the vices of the underworld 1t |
is asserted by Lieutenant Governor |
Barratt O'Hara that in Chicago alone |
$4,000 women are employed at a wage |
of s. a week or less.
Juilus Rosenwald, president OF Sears,
Koebuck & Company, referring repeated
employs 4,732 women and girls, whose
average wage is S9.12 a week. The lowest
salary of 50 is given to girls of 16 years
of age, the witness stated After three
months they are advanced to $50. Tie
company hires only girls who live at
nome The concern employs 1,46o girls
and women who receive less than IS d |
week.
G. H. Miller. superintendent of employ
ala1Icl- &
titled he was at one time chairman of
the Chicago vice commission which con-
Quoted an investigation of vice in tkis
city.
Did not Your company, within the last |
few years, conduct private investigation
to ascertain the minimum wage neces-
asked O'Hara.
Miller said such an investigation had
been held by a committee composed of
department heads. The committee re-
ported the minimum requirements of girls |
adrift. not living at home. was IS.
speaking to Mr.. Rosenwald. 9'as man
of wide philanthropy, if you think that
low wages induce immortality among
It will answer that as I have answered
said Rosenwald. There is prac-,
tically connection between them I
believe prostitution is as likely to come
who earns less 1t depends on the wo-
man. = girl earning small wage miHSt
Us that as subterfuge on account Of her
DO you consider s. enough for any
woman TO live upon?''
Yes, il she lives at home
And s. is enough for one who supports
herself?''
THAT is what our investigation
How much did your corporation carr
Approximately s.. 10000"
Could you raise wages and still psyi