Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1913-03-29
Father Peter Dietz Discusses
Woman and the Wage
Problem.
Catholic Thoughts Which Should
BE Taken Into More
Consideration.
HOME VERSUS BUSINESS CAREER

There is a great deal OF hysteria
in the present ferment about white
slavery, low wage slavery, vice
commissions and minimum wage for
girls and women, writes the Rev.
Peter e. Dietz, who has given much
study to the present day labor and
social problems. There is reason for
the ferment of course and in the
end common sense will dictate a
way out and it will be a road to
progress. At the present time pub
lie opinion, though properly aroused,
is largely in a chaotic and Uniformed
state. II is not our object to go into
the merits of the detailed matters
that are involved in the discussion; /;
the daily papers have amply taken
care of that. But we want to put
much emphasis upon several Cath
Ollie thoughts which ought to be
taken into much more consideration
before public opinion crystalizes.
The elemental truth that girls and
women belong in the home can not
be over emphasized. This is the
larger background into which the
present agitation must be detailed.
By nature and by grace woman is
destined for the making of homes
and rearing the children. The mod
ern industrial revolution has vio-
lently torn woman from her native
soil, and outraged nature is wreak-
ing her vengeance on the human
race and upon women in particular.
The lowered status of woman is one
Of the penalties for the decadence of
true Christian chivalry. Now that
the latent sense of honor among men
has again been quickened, there is
hope that the result may be a back
tc the home movement for women.
In the light of this fundamental
truth, We may regard in its true
proportions the other subsidiary
truth, that innumerable girls and
women are compelled by whatever
circumstances to enter the factories,
department stores and business of
fices, etc. Modern development has
taken from the home many of it's
activities that formerly fell to
women, but may we not ask why our
much boasted industrial progress
does not, in proportion to it's
progress, tighten the burdens of
humanity, and particularly of
woman. Where is the beneficence
of all our improved machinery If it
Ia meant only to swell the Golfers of
those that own it. and does not at
the same time enter into the plan
OF divine redemption from the curse
OF original sin, one of which is hard
labor? But the problem of cheap
female labor and it's sad conse-
quences is with us, and society must
deal with 1t. The preference of
young women for Industrial and
mercantile employment creates a
supply in excess of the demand.
This naturally keeps down wages
and at the same time creates the CO.
related problem of domestic service.
Minimum wage and other regulative
Legislation can not solve the
problem, yet 1t will have the effect
to provide adequate protection and
a fair living wage to women, as we'll
as establishing more sanitary mini
mum age limits. Decreasing the
supply OF girls for the labor market
and increasing their wage will bring
about a saner competition between
young men and young women.
Greater economic equality is to the
advantage OF the young men. for all
things being equal, they are pre-
ferred by employers OF labor. At
the same time 1t would force young
women who have TO be bread-win-
ners into domestic service. where
they are much needed. Such service
would not only be more wholesome
Tor girls, since II is particularly
adapted to the feminine equipment,
L would provide them with the
training they need TO meet the de-
mand that will sometimes be made
upon them as wives. At the same
time the deterioration of the home
would receive measurable set
back.
The other truth that we wish 10
emphasize strongly in the present
agitation is the falsity of the
Socialist tenet OF economic de-
terminism; in other words the
materialistic conception of the is
sues involved. This shameful doc
trine means in plain words that
money or Its equivalent is the
moving power of all human life and
conduct; that money and that which
it can buy Is the only thing worth
while In this world; that in compari-
son with II honor, virtue and char
scter are negligible quantities In the
souls or men and women. II would
almost appear that this is the dom
lnant note running through the
proceedings OF various Investigation
now demanding public attention: a
weakened sentiment is displayed
that girl must almost necessarily
lose her virtue because she is poorly
paid. More harm than good is done
when the attempt is made 10 prove
that girls must choose between high
wages and shame The alternative
n ust not be put. because II is a lie
and a convenient excuse for weak
characters who would fall under
any adverse conditions. The In
vestigation must not produce de-
moralizing results II Is deplorabl'