The Detroit times., 1913-03-10


governors Of all the states . Few day
ago. asking their cooperation.
Al IN executive session. befor,
he probers resumed hearing wit
nesses today. the senators decided 4
order James Simpson. yice-presiden'
II Marshall Field 4 Co.. recalled a.
4 witness and again asked To tell the
committee OF the enormous profi
supposed to be made annually by bis
company.
Lieutenant Governor O'Hara an-
bounced that II Simpson persisted IN
his refusal to answer, the committee
would hold another executive SEES
sion TO determine whether or not he
should be cited for contempt.
The resolution creating the COM
mittee gives IL power to compel wit
nesses TO testify
: When Simpson was put on the
stand and Intercepted by Lieuten-
ant Governor OHara, he repeated
his refusal to answer questions con-
corning Marshall Field & Co. q
profits.
Marshall Fields has been q
profitable business" said he. "They
can AFFORD TO pay wages that any
other firm can pay. ! would not like
to tie the company's hands by saying
that II will not resist the enactment
OF a minimum wage law. but 1t was
never vet resisted proposed legisla-
ton
81 think the minimum on which
any young woman can live is So or
50 a week. But II a minimum wage
law Is enacted ii will increase the
present cost OF living. The increase
will be passed on to the public"
Senator JUL asked:
What would you think OF a min
imum wage OF 50 day for women?"
IF 1t were enacted In Illinois. 1t
would drive many men out OF bus
mess In the state" said Simpson.
1T might not be hurtful to business
II 1t is federal law In force in all
the states"
Senator Tossey inquired:
IF you pay 81 day to women.
would II reduce your profits ma
terially?"
1.-THE added cost would probably
be added to the goods" answered
the merchant. But l would like to
ask the commission a question: II
we pay the girls minimum Of 81 a
Aall we pay the man with
a family?"
Lieut.. Gov. O'Hara objected to the
Interrogation.
He said that was question For the
merchants to decide.
George Lytton. vicepresident and
treasurer of "The Hub Safest.
corporation. was the next witness. He
was asked to tell the probers about the
proft-sharing plan his company con-
Quoted for employees.
I'VE have no real profitsharing
rlan," testified Lytton. I'VE make
presents to our employees. but 1t IL
voluntary on our part and can be STOP
ped at will. The employees are made
TO understand that"
Lytton said he preferred not to tell
the committee what proportion of the
profits OF the company went to the en-
ployes through this plan.
He testified that the lowest wage
paid any female employee was $3.50 a
week. ne KIT ou'h 6hs
would receive from the company
would amount to two per cent Of her
salary, after she had been with the
company a year. Taking the same
stand as the Marshall Field head, he
refused to tell what the annual profits
OF The Hub are.
Senator JUL questioned the Wit
ness.
Your minimum wage for women is
$3.50. What do you think girl can
live on?"
Eight dollars"
Then who do you think pays your
girls the $l.50 differences??"
The families OF the workers"
The witness told the committee that
his store could we'll AFFORD to pay girls
a minimum wage Of 81 q day, but he
objected to suchDan enactment, for
the wage Increase would necessitate
general increase In wages.
Joseph Basch, vice-president and
general manager of Siegel, Cooper &
Co, was the next witness.
His Arm employs 1850 women and
girls, with minimum wage OF $3.50
and an average wage OF $3.50. he
swore.