Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-07
ouIzzED AS TO WAGES
Connection Between Poor Pay and
Wrongdoing Sought.
YOUNG GIRL ON THE STAND
Declares Employees of Big Store Help
One Another to Get
Along in World.

SIiiS<A1O, Mdfcn I.-l~eaQlnS meTcnantS
of Chicago were called before the state
senate's vice investigation committee to.
day in an endeavor to ascertain what
connection there is between low wages
paid to women and the vices of the under.
world.
1t Is asserted by Lieut.. Gov. Barratt
O'Hara that in Chicago alone 5000 wom-
en- are employed at average of $5 week
or less, and that many of them for that
reason enter evil paths.
Julius Rosenwald, president Of Sears
Roebuck & Co., testified that his company
employs 4,732 women and girls. whose
average wage is $9.12 week. The low
est salary of S. is given to girls sixteen
years of age. After three months they
are advanced to $3.50. The company hires
only girls who live at home The concern
employs ], ,465 girls and women who re-
ceive less than 50 a week.
Rosenwald, broad-shouldered, quietly
clad man, peered intently through heavy
lenses at his interrogation, the youthful
lieutenant governor, evincing the greatest
interest. From time to time he remarked
Perhaps Mr.. Miller can TELL" and turned
to peer into the audience. Presently G.
H. Miller, superintendent Of employment
at Seers, Roebuck & Co., was sworn and
Once on Vice Commission.
Rosenwald testified that he was at one
time chairman of the Chicago vice COM
mission which conducted an Investigation
Of vice conditions in this city. A portion
Of this report was suppressed by the COM
mittee.
Did your company within the last few.
years conduct private investigation to
ascertain the minimum wage necessary
for girl to support herself without as
sistance?" asked Mr.. OHara.
don't recall-there may have been.
but don't remember just now. Per-
haps Mr., Miller
and said that such an Investigation had
been held by committee composed OF
department heads.
The committee reported the minimum
requirements OF girls "adrift" (not lv-
ing at home) was S.
Now want to ask yOu," said O'Hara.
as q man OF wide philanthropy, IL you
in wOmen:'' s'
Will answer that as I have an
connection between. them, 81
Asesf1e Delfeved that woman who earns
more than $40 was as likely to be
immoral as one who earns Less. 1t
depends ON the woman. "A girl earn
Ing small wage might use that as
subterfuge to account for her dere-
lictions," he added.
Questioned as to Wages.
DO you consider S. enough for any
woman to live upon?'
Yes, If she lives at home.'
And So Is enough for one who sun
ports herselfg'
That is what our investigation
showed" :
How much did your corporation earn
approximately $1,000, ,ooo."
Gould you raise wages and Still nav
your stockholders a legitimate profit?'
The witness said the stock Of the
corporation pays per ceAt on both
surplus Of $12,o0o.0oo at the end Of
1912. He said he could have given
$s.ooo00o out of profits and still pay
some dividends
State Senator Niels JUL asked the
witness If he thought the stockholders
were fair judges Of what ,compensation
the girls should receive, and If he didn't {
think the state would be fairer judge.
Witness Is Applauded.
There was applause when Mr.. Rosen-
wald replied that he would be glad to
meet the wishes of the state so far rs
competition will permit"
Asked if he would object to disclosing
his own income. he replied in the
negative.
well. them" smiled O'Hara, could
you live on SIS week?"
There was a litter when the witness
said he had never tried 1t.
O'Hara asked If there were drives
in his employ. The witness had never
heard of them.
Have you an employe called the
scolder'?
Not SO far as / know"
Senator Juul took the witness and
wanted to know IL the corporation tool
pains to learn IL the wage received by 9
girl was suficient in the individual case
Moo" was the slow reply
the girls must live on what you pay
themg' commented Juul.
Then he asked II the witness though,
any woman should be asked to live on
less than any average woman.
Competition might account for the dif
ferences.'' replied the witness.
ITO pay 1000 girls s. a week more thar
you do would cost YOU $260,OOO year,
stated the senator. Would that maxi
much difference to your dividends?''
II would say. In answer to that, tina
the earnings OF one year might not b.
those Of other years., said Mr.. R0sen
waId.
There was craning of necks when
slender. rosy-cheeked girl. whose nam
was not announced. was called as wit
| ness
| She was fourteen years of age whel
| she went to work for Sears. Roebuck 4
| Co.. she said. and was paid $3.50. Whel
| she left there after two years she wa
receiving $3.50.
| Says Girls Are scolded.
Asked by Mr.. o.Aara il the girls wer.
ever scolded. the witness became ami,
mated and replied. You bet they were
| and sometimes the girls cried"
| What. exclaimed O'Hara, big girl.
criedy
swell, they pounded the desk wher
1 they called u.s."