The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-28
COMPROMISE
1T Has Been Reached on WOm-
ans Wage Bill.
Be Sc a Week Instead of So and
8 Hours q Day.

A compromise of the minimum wage
and maximum hours bill relating to en-
ployed women and girls. was reached
by the labor committees of the house
and senate last night following a hear
Ing that lasted four hours, and in which
unusual interest was taken. The COM
promise provides for a minimum wage
of $6 week instead of So, as proposed
IN the Riddle bill, maximum week OF
o. hours, or an average of hours q
day, and a maximum day of not more
than 10 hours.
The senate chamber was packed with
people interested in the measure, pro
and con, and there were many left
who wanted to be heard when the COM
nittee adjourned the public hearing
shortly before 1880 o'clock But the
committee felt 1T had been given both
sides of the case and refused to hear
further arguments.
The compromise to be introduced in
two separate measures in both houses
today, means a marked improvement
over present conditions, and is regarded
by the supporters of the original Riddle
bill a step in the right direction.
while those opposed to the Riddle bill
do not regard it as so dangerous as
the former bill. The maximum day
bills, introduced in the house by Repre-
sentative Robert Stone, of Shawnee,
and in the senate by Senator c. s.
Huffman, of Cherokee, were only
slightly amended, and thus will be rec
commended for passage. 1t was the
minimum wage measure that received
the greatest cut the low figure being
reduced from 50 to $6 week.
Among the speakers were prominent
club women, employers and employees
both from Topeka and other cities,
large delegation from Wichita being on
hand for the hearing. The crowd was
apparently evenly divided on the sub
ject, particularly good argument from
either standpoint bringing forth a burst
of applause from the onlookers.
Friends of the Riddle bill urged its
adoption because they said its provi-
sions are absolutely necessary to the
protection of working women and girls
Pleas were made especially for girls
coming to the larger towns from the
country who, unable to make ends
meet on the pitifully low wages paid
in some instances. are led into evil ways
of living. Those opposed to the meas
ure, including a number OF working
women and girls in Topeka and other
places, urged that if the figure is set
too high they will be displaced by men.
Arthur Mills Of the Mills Dry Goods
company suggested a compromise in
fixing a. nine-hour day and a minimum
wage of SIS a week. He was the first
speaker. He protested against she orig
inal bill, declaring its action confisca-
tory.
Sim A Bramlette, speaking for or
sanized labor, favored the bill. but pro-
posed a graduated scale from Sc a week
up as a minimum. Ralph Faxon, repre-
senting the commercial and industrial
interests of Wichita, opposed the high
minimum. and declared the enactment
of such a law would be a tremendous
setback to Kansas industries. -
Mrs. Lee Monroe urged the enact
ment of the original bill because. she
said il was for the protection of the
eat hi Ia
to live respectfully, and would prevent
their running their constitutions by
overwork.
A. e. Houser.. an egg packer
of Wichita, said the minimum
wage proposed would prevent
him from meeting the competition of
states He declared he is |
paying women and girls a dollar a day |
up. but that he could not afford to
pay beginners as much as SO a week |
and compete with neighboring states |
where women receive as low as $3.50 |
a week
Mrs. Nan Sperry, deputy factory in
spector of Kansas City, Mo-, pleaded !
for shorter hours for working girls. |
She said Missouri is we'll pleased with |
the nine-hour law. She declared ex- |
hours weaken the constitution |
of the girls,
Miss Lynn Wyatt answered the wom- |
en- employed by the Santa F'e by saying |!
they do not need such law, their |
already being inside that |
prescribed and ascribed their opposi- |
ton to that fact. Jake Sheppard, So |
cialist attorney of Fort Scott. begged |
the committee to white gently if they I
found it necessary to reduce the mini
mum scale, and declared shorter hours
In California and other places have not !
hurt either the employers or the en-
ployed. .s..-
Miss Spence. talking for employed |