The Washington times., 1913-02-04
GIRL WORKERS ON
STAND OPPOSED TO
E|GHT,HOUR BILL
Object to Limitation Proposed
on Ground 1t Would Cut Off
Pay for Overtime.

In the course of a hearing on the
eight-hour bill for women and girls in
the District, before the Senate District
Committee today, a number of young
women employed in the city appeared
lation.
Robert Pluym, ladies' tailor, intro
duced two young women employed in
his establishment to object to certain
features of the proposed legislation
Miss Mildred Reynolds. who has worked
for Mr.. Pluym for ten years or more.
said she did not object to the eight
hour feature in general, but did not
want to be restricted to eight hours II
she chose to work overtime.
I'VE work eight hours and then more,
II necessary. We are not compelled to
do 1t, and we are paid for overtime,
said Miss Reynolds.
Miss Amelia Everett, also employed
by Mr.. Pluym, said:
IT object to taking overtime away
from us. 1t is a great help to us at
times"
Says Overtime Helps.
She pointed out that the work in this
greatly to work overtime at certain
seasons. She said she had heard no
special complaint among the women.
Mr.. Piuym supplemented the state
ments of the young women by say
ing that, owing to the shortness OF
the season for ladies' tailoring. 1T
was necessary to work overtime In
the rush season. "We ought to be
made an exception Of" said he. "As
a rule. find people anxious to do tt"
Miss Lizzie Murphy was then before
the committee TO make a short state
mcnt. Miss Murphy works in the
" Of So eSmpnn Eaward se Bes said she as
eight-hour law would cause the wom-
en- to be driven like slaves" on the
rush days Of the week. wednesday
was the only heavy day In the laun-
Monday, the hours were from in the
afternoon to only or 5 O'Clock.
Miss Katy Gam. employed In the
Martha washington candy store. where
oses ssfs the sfhy s sSe Se sad she s Moksd
from $50 to $3.50 one day and 1:3o to $50
the next Later she said that every
other night she was off at 6.
Want the Extra Pay.
MIR. Sheets is so good to me that I
get a day off when I want one," said
Miss Gam.
The girls were satisfied with hours
and pay, according to Miss Gam.
II have to work, and II / work over
time / am paid extra she said. II
have a family to support, and the bill
would affect me a great deal. am not
docked wien / come late, and Mr..
Sheets has never said one cross word
to me-"
Employer Opposes Bill.
Edward l.. Brice. laundryman. said:
Il am not opposed gene ally to bill
to regulate the hours OF employment. !
am opposed to limiting the hours of
labor in any one day to eight. I have
been in business here fifteen years. I
have failed to fird any dissatisfaction
among employees in my employ
Z, c. Graham. of the National Elec-
trical Supply Company. opposed the
bill. He declared II would tend to
Testrict the employment OF women
further and they were restricted
enough already. 1t was hard already
for them 10 maze a living. They were
paid from 25 per cent to two-thirds
OF what men were paid. he said. He
pointed out that the southern railu ay
was doing away with girls because
they could not do the work the men
could. This proposed law would puJ
still more out of employment. Mr.
Graham asserted.