New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-08
INSISTS LOW PAY
DOESN'T MEAN VICE
Continued from irst page.

way fare, theatres--probably only about
half OF girls necessary expenses"
Witness and inquisitor had II out on
this Lasis. the former insisting that the
Senator should not disregard the fact
that most of the employees lived at
home and were not wholly dependent
on themselves.
Mr.: Simpson had come prepared with
figures which showed, among other
things, that the Marshall Field retail
store employed 4,222 female clerks.
whose average wage was SO IS. OK
these 440 were short hour employees,
who worked during the rush hours and
while the regular clerks were at lunch.
All lived at home, he said.
II developed that the short hour en-
ployes were paid on basis OF 50
week. so that a clerk working only
four hours a day would receive only -
TINS latter class is composed mostly
Of married women who wish TO earn
bit of pin money. and of students who
do not depend upon US for a living,
explained Mr.. Simpson.
Senator JUL would not have il that
way. insisting that II the girls and
women worked they should receive an
income from their labors to live on, and
when the witness was excused they
still differed on the point
Declined TO Toll Profits.
The witness was asked TO state the net
profits of the Field business. but he de-
clined TO answer without consulting his
attorney, In which refusal he held stead
fast after the authority OF the committee
to compel a reply had been quoted 10 him.
The same question was put TO other en-
ployes. Its purpose was to learn II the
salaries of girls earning 81 and s. could
not be doubled without materially affect
ing profits.
Mr. Simpson stated that no state should
be allowed to adopt a minimum wage law
for women. as the business men OF that
state would be at disadvantage as com
pared with other states. II should be
federal law, If at all. he declared.
Z When ScfatOT Juul ltllidi hNu AiidA hiiNtN
was no sentiment In business Simpson be-
came rather enthusiastic and said there
was a great deal OF It at Marshall Fields.
He detailed the welfare work OF the firm,
speaking OF the rest rooms vacations,
compulsory school maintained IN the
store. where those who have had no ad-
yantages In childhood are forced 10 ac-
| nf s.tI
salaries paid during sickness, and the like.
The last witnesses OF the day were
women surprised I'm the Tenderloin by
deputies who invaded the district In taxi
cabs with Jane Doe" warrants
Stories Told in Whispers.
They talked IN whispers, and all TO the
same effect, namely. that they had been
unable TO make a living at reputable
callings. and so took the downward path.
"A. r." was woman of thirty-eight.
she worked in laundry At 81 20 a week
after her husband died and left her with
two children.
You couldn't support family on that
could YOU" inquired Mr.. OHara.
NO: / found I couldn't even support
nNSeil on IL so "'bN
How old were you them
Twenty eight"
Where are the children now?
well. YOU may be- sure they are not In
| Chicago"
"E. p. r." worked in ST Louis shoe
factory from the age Of fourteen years
TO eighteen, and never got more than -
week. Then she answered the call OF
the underworld. and had been there for
five years Like the others. she placed
her earnings at about s. week.
r.. NJ" worked for 50 week. but her
parents seemed dissatisfied with her con
,ributions To the general fund. and she
left home.
Did they scold you about earning 30
little asked Mr.. O'Hara-
"Oh. no: they just looked dissatisfied.
was the answer.
Wore Her Mothers Ring.
"R. r." wore a wedding ring, the only
piece OF jewolry about her
Married % asked O Hara.
The girl looked at the ring. hesitated.
and then answered mo. II belonged to
my mother. IL = inc Only lHtnb VI "o
have"
Those close enough To hear the tetu-
mony we're reminded OF Mr.. Mandel's tes-
timony about girls going into domestic
service when u. H." took the stand.
why did you go wrong?' asked Sen
ator JUL. TOO little money!
well. YES. That was IT,"
What did you work at before thatf
Domestic servant
What were you PAID
"Two-fifty."
Well, tell us about it.
81 got up at O'Clock in the morning
and worked until through. generally about
S o'clock at night. ! had enough to eat,
but | didn't want 10 work 80 hard. got
to running around with fellows. and then
I'd want to be decent and would go back
to work again. but IL was too hard. /
began household work after my parents
died, and ] was ten years old. / stuck
10 il until I was seventeen"
Mr.. RosenwaId Answered.
Julius Roseuyald. president OF Sears,
Rocbuck & CO.. philanthropist, employer
nd nd