Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-03-08
Head of Hillman's, ChiCa-
90, Praises Conduct Of
Female Employees.
MORALS Up TO PARENTS
Witness Says Smallest Pay Is
Given to Cash Runners Who
Are DESTROYS of Learning.

Chicago. March S.-Edward Hillman /,
Of Hillmans, one Of the citys largest /.
department stores, was the first wit |
ness before the Illinois vice commits
sion today. The witness thought there
was, in some cases, a connection be-
tween low wages and immortality OF
women.
do you think a woman would sell
her virtue before she would starve?"
asked Lieutenant Governor OHara.
chairman Of the commission.
Yes" was the prompt reply, the
frs. Of ,he kind from an employer
thus far heard. Hillman said there
are s17 gir.s and women in his store
or these 46 girls received S5; "a. 81;
2%, $35o and six, SO. These last are
erranI girls, whose parents want them
TO learn the business so they may
advance to higher salaries.
PARENTS RESPONSIBLE.
'if one of your So girls lost her
virtue would It hurt your conscience?"
asked O'Hara.
Certainly"
Would you hold yourself respon-
sibleo"
81 think the parents would be re-
sponsible."
The witness never heard Of a girl
h,acklisted for bad conduct. but d n
know foorwa.ker who suffered that
fate for immortality.
ii'Uan admitted he was self-made
mau. He started to work as a cash
boy at s. a week.
Gould you live on it?" inquired
"Hara
We'll father earned $14 and my 80
helped ou0"
IE COULD LIVE on $40.
Asked on what amount he thought
girl could support herself in
depcndeutly. Hillman said IS or 50
week. Il could live on S12 and,
could squeeze through on SO. / think"
Hillman promised the commission
he would hire an investigator TO look
into applications for position in his
store and ascertain whether an ap-
pilcant could live on the salary in pros
pnct lie said he thought IL a good
idea, and he would be glad to do It.
ACCESS TO BOOKS.
James Simpson of Marshall Field &
Co. who yesterday declined 10 dis
close the profits OF the firm. offered
The commission private access to the
books Of the company. Hillman agreed
10 do the same
Asked by Senator BeaT IL he gave
employees a chance TO advance. Hill
man said:
"You bet. We want them to ad.
vance There is a sign in my office TO
grow or go"
Representative Lloyd informed the
witness the report Of the Chicago vice
commission showed many department
store girls lead Lives Of shame.
MASHER ROUGHLY HANDLED.
This was news to Hillman. who de-
MED any such conditions in his store
Why he exclaimed. 'let me tell
YOU about one Of those Washers who
are always taking up the time OF girls
Two weeks ago one OF our detectives
caught one OF them. and. honest. wher
hat bull got through with him he was
a sight"
Hiuman said the moral standard OF
girls I'm his store is high. He invited
Beall TO "come over and size 'em up
You can tell as much about EN- as
can. I'll show you around" Beall. for
merly known as the "stork' mayor Of
Alton H.. said. "I'll be there"
GLENN ATTACKS o'HARA.
Secretary Glenn OF the Illinois Man
utacturers' association. owner Of the
Manufacturing News. the organ OF the
association, was the next witness. He
took issue with the statement that 50 ,cOt
girls IN Chicago are employed at ;
wage OF IS or less per week. Glenr
said IN his Judgment an editorial fl
he Manufacturers News was correct
This article charged that the vice com
mission would pay less attention to re
tail stores II the stores gave NOR,
advertising 70 a newspaper by which
OHara was formerly employed.
Don't YOU know that statement L
be a ie:" glared O'Hsra.
MANDELS RAISE PAY.
President Maudel OF Mandel Bros
% q letter 20 O.Hara stated he ha,
raised the minimum wage OF girls O
I1 % l. years OF age. who run er
raud-. % 81 Following a suggestion
OF the commission. he will appoint al
Investigator 10 ascertain II applicant
for positions can live on the wage
they are 70 receive
O'Hara expressed qualification az the
attitude OF employers.