The Washington times., 1913-02-01
EIGHT HOUR LAW
FOR WORKING GIRLS
CALLED OBNOXIOUS
Harry King Says Women Work
ers of District Are Well Car
ed for by Employers.

An eight-hour law is obnoxious.
We ought to have law that wouli
allow not less than 81 hours or sixty
hours a week
This declaration was made to the
Senate District Committee today oy
HAIRY King. of Kings Palace, who,
with number of other Washington
merchants appeared before the commit
te to oppose the proposed eisht-hour
measure for women and girls in the
District of Columbia
Mr.. King asserted an eight-hour law
>is an obnoxious law to the people of
Washington.
not include the newspaper offices and
the household servants.
Warns Against Hurting Women.
MIR. King said he had no objection TO
legislation that looks to the better
ment of present female labor condi-
TONS" and SAID he was willing to meet
the situation half way But he de-
clared 1t was not fair to try to reach
the millennium at one fell swoop and
he suggested an amendment that would
make the maximum hours flfty-four
or sixty. He said that would reduce
the average working day one or one
and one-haH hours. He told the COM
mittee that unless II was careful, it
would hurt the women and girls more
than II helped Them.
Mr.. King insisted that women and
girls were paid all their labor war
ranted. He said the public would be
the proposed change. 1t would mean
lower wages. he insisted. He defended
the morals Of the women and girls in
the stores and manufacturing establish
ments, and said they were as high as
in the Government service.
Mr.. King sought to show that the
figures given yesterday by Miss Ober-
nau6r, of the Bureau of Labor, were not
fatrfto the merchants, and said that In
the averages for wages for saleswomen
she included cash girls, cash boys, and
the like
Senator Gallinger, Senator Jones,
and others of the committee said the
record showed that he was wrong in
this and Miss Obernauer, who was on
hand. said specifically that her fig
alleged. As to exclusion of buyers,
which Mr.. King said was done, Mics
Obernauer said she had excluded only
nine buyers, who were getting an aver
4ge OF N.2Oo a year.
Tells of Lowest Wages.
Mr.. King said the average pay in his
sAorl for women was S.55 to s7.65 per
week. The lowest paid to girls was IS.
and Sn some instances 81. The wages
ranged as high as s14 per week He said
30 per cent Of the women and girl en-
pioyes lived in Washington.
IL, ha
applied to Washington. when Baltimore
has ten-hour law" asked Mr.. King.
In other words, why should We be
made the goat?'
He declared that If a merchant in
Washington was making from to
per cent net, he was doing well. He
said the average wages I'm Washington
would compare fayorably with those of
any city in the country. He explained
that the women AND girls who worked in
the stores here were well cared for.
that chairs or ledges were provided. that
they were allowed time on at lunch
hours, and the like.
Many questions were asked Mr.. King
by members of the committee. Senator
Works wanted to know, II the reform
were a good one, whether il would not
be well to start II in Washington.
NO" said Mr.. King. "Pve as much
u
you have"
He said Commissioner Judson had prom
ised to give the retail men a hearing
before the eight-hour law was recon-
mended by the Commissioners, but they
were given none.
"a bill comes with more weight when
the Commissioners indorse it." said Mr..
King.
tor Works.
Obnoxious to Merchants.
Mr.. King then proceeded to declare
the proposed law. as It stands now, OBJ
noxious to the merchants. He objected
to its being passed without the mer-
chants being heard.
John W. Lowe, of Baltimore, opposed
the proposed law on behalf of the laun-
dries. Wren Mr.. Lowe arose TO speak.
Miss Constance D. Leupp arose at the
same time. Miss Leupp desire to speak
briefly
"Mr. Chairman. 1 was recognized
first" protested Lowe.
But in the Senate, We have rule Of
that a gentleman shall yield
when requested" said Senator Gal |
linger-
Miss Leupp. however, said she was
willing to wait and be heard later.
Laundry Workers Pay.
Mr.. Lowe said he had looked UP the |
pay for laundry employees in three |
laundries. It amounted in one to s5.4
per week, in another to $40, and in an
other to $5.45. Minimum wages were |
"A and $50 and thereabouts Hours |
were ten per day with half day Sat |
urday. |
considering the character OF these
people. they are the highest paid people f!
IN the country" said the witness
Senator Jones and others asked him |
what he meant by ''the character of |
these people" He said he was not re-
decttng on them, but the most of the |
laundry help was Of low grade of |
A great deal of 1t, he said. was col |
pred help.
Joseph /. Weller, for certain retail |
opposed the bill as IL stands /
md offered an amendment which would |
exclude employees Of retail stores and |