Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-03-27

MINIS are in deplorable state. and we
recommend that the commissioner of
labor investigate them"
The report details at length condi-
tons in a number Of the Atlanta fac
tories visited by committee members
ana the deplorable conditions are set
forth for the perusal Of the Federation
of Trades in vivid terms In discussing
conditions at one factory where the
maximum wage paid is S1o5. the report
said:
The informants also state that girls
and women have been forced to work
overtime, working nights without extra
allowance. Some time ago a force of
girls and women were compelled to
leave this company on account of being
imposed upon. General labor condi-
tons at this factory are most deplor-
able, There has been complaint among
some women, former employees, of be
ing forced to work with negroes.
AT another factory the piecework
system prevails and infprmants state
that conditions under which women are
forced 10 work are Of the sweatshop
character. The following prices are
paid: For sewing back pockets and
sundry stitching, 1925 per 100 pairs of
overals; for trimming 100 pairs of
overalls. which is considered tedious
and combining labor. SO cents"
No Fire Escapes in Factory.
At still another factory where the
hours are from Z a. m. TO $3.50 ?. m,
half a day off on Saturday and one
half hour for lunch. the conditions are
described a $ follows:
There is no elevator and girls must
walk up four flights Of stairs through
dark and dirty halls. According to in
formation obtained there. there are no
fire escapes. and in case Of fire or OK
citement employees claims they fear
being killed or seriously injured in the
rush down stairs. Sanitary conditions
are said to be deplorable. One young
woman was placed on a bench or the
floor when she was taken sick recently.
The average wage paid to women in
this factory is from six to eight cents
an hour"
At one place the employees speak
highly Of the company. Girls are well
paid and advanced rapidly. The floors
are scrubbed daily and a hospital room
is 1tte completely for every emergency.
, At another factory. where sanitary
, conditions are said to be hopeless, girls
complained TO the Investigators that
they were forced to work along side Of
naoro EMPLOYEES The report COntin-
ued:
"Informants state that the prevailing
wage paid to iris in certain stores is s.
per week. There is complaint among
the girls on account of being detained
in the stores late on Saturday nights.
Girls were found in one of these stores
after 10 o'clock on Saturday night on
March %, 1913.
Girls are cautioned not to attempt
to rest, but keep busy. one girl said;
inst imagine working US from a. m
n 10 r. m. and no seats provided The
management informed this girl that
there would be no seats provided, law
or no law
Asks Leave; Discharged.
"yben a girl asked for a leave of alb
sence recently on account Of sickness
and death in the family. one of the
managers said. Sure. leave for you
forever and she was paid in full"
on the subject Of female employment
in department stores. the report said;
..AHuiners and saIesadies in the suit
and cloak department and trained
clerks in various departments are well
Maid However, the average salesgirls
engaged in selling notions candy, nov
cities. iewelry and perfumes are work
; ING for less than minimum wage"
In an auxiliary report the committee
comnosed of Samuel H. Brady, Earl E
{ Griqgs. j. A. AlIeyn and James R. New
said:
be,ng openly violated. children have
} boe, forced 70 work at night and som.
: ,bfI5rau found working were unoei Tia
aoa prohibited by law"
s. A considerable part Of a second aux
riary report was taken up with in
formation that foremen and were guilty
s 81 ,,listreatiug and insulting employees
n.bila under the influence of liquor
hrorgbt into the factories and con
.,,,,og during working hours.