The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
VICE COMMISSION
P[EADSFOR BETTER
WAGES FOR GIRLS
Helpless to Reform COndi-
ti0ns Without Aid of En-
ployes-Ask Better
Conditions

Chicago, March S.-Members of the state
senate vice commission, as a result of the
last two sessions here. are beginning to
regard themselves as successful mission
aries rather than as inauisItors and franz
ers of laws.
Since employers of female labor have
been among the witnesses. as was the case
yesterday and today, the commissioners
have overlooked no opportunity to assure
the witnesses that the commission, stand
ing alone was helpless to improve con-.
ditions of immortality among. working
women The attempt was made to instill
some enthusiasm on the subject into the
big employers, to convince them that their
responsibility for the welfare of employees
is an active rather than passive one 1t
goes. further, It was asserted, than mere
ly paying fair wages, paying sick bene-
fits and mere philanthropy.
AS a result two of the biggest merchants
in the city employing thousands of women
III tDE utpdI liiitnt StVito SA'~' wv e'fc
spirit of the movement today \ took
steps to learn if home condition. were
such as might augment temptations sur
rounding working girls.
Leaders to Take Action
Edward Hillman and e. c. Mandel took
tho lead in promising to make certain
that no employe of their stores can ever
justly claim that they took the downward
path because they were not paid living
wage. Individual cases will be studied
and condensation paid in accordance with
Individual needs.
Mr. Hillman was the first witness of the
day and testified in a bluff and hearty
manner. His sales women, he said, re-
ceiye an average of SSH a week, although
there are some errand girls who receive
as low as So.
When asked as to the moral standards
of the girls In his store, Hfllman said
they sized up pretty good, but invited
the commissioners to size EN- up for
themse<yes.
..Do Won think that a woman would
sell her virtue as If she were chateI be-
fore starving?' asked Lieutenant Gov
ernor Barratt OHara, chairman.
yves T do came the prompt reply.
IJilluan said that many girls and won,-
on S17 or more are employed at his
store. or these 46 girls receive $5, "a get
"a. % earn $3.50 and six receive $3. These
Ia at are errand girls, mostly brought in
nv parents who want them to learn the
business so they may aosance " hlgher
salaries, he said.
.Tf one of your 50 girls lost her virtue
wonld II hurt your conscience?" asked
O'Hara.
"Yes.'
"Would you hold yourself responsible?'
Think Parents Responsible Il
.eWeIl. now let $ think; would I? Here 3
girl brought in by her parents, living
az bome: should 4 be responsible? |
twink not said witness. II think the
narents should be held responsible"
The witness said he had never heard
of q girl being blaclslisted for bad con-
duct l,ut did know of floor walker who
had suffered that fate for immortality.
That the vice commission's work had
horne fruit was shown when a letter wa {
u . ed bv chairman OHara from r. r.
Mandell. president of Mandell Brothers
zts,t.s,a that ne mad raised the minimum,
wage Of juveniles to $4 week The iii.
veniles are girls between the ages or 10
and t5 who are employed on small er-
rands.
Wherever possible, by reason of the ant
ness or general fitness OF the girl. tho
wage will be more than 81. 1t was testi-
fed In addition. Mandell said that. fol-
lowing suggestion of the Commission
he will employ an investigator to ascertain
II applicants can live on the wages thew
are to receive Resuming his testimonv
Hillman admitted that he was self ,nade
man. He started work at 81 a week = :
a cash boy. he testified.
could you live on it?' Inquired The
chairman of the commission.
s.WeIl. my father earned $14 and nv =
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