The Detroit times., 1914-07-09
Low WAGES And
INJUSTICE CAUSE
OF MILITANCY
Hairbrush Maker Gets . Cents
for Article Which Is Sold
for $3.50
TAILORESS GETS Sl.75
FOR FULL WEEKS WORK
Father, Mother and Six Chill
dren "Well Of" on Income
of S6.25 Per Week
sy MARY BOYLE o'REILLY.


LONDON. July Slight years ago
the prime minister OF England curtly
refused 10 receive suffrage petition
ers. Almost Immediately aiterWard
Annie Kenney was manhandled; Mrs.
Drummond arrested, aud Mrs. Pank.
hurst did her first hunger strike for
again demanding audience with tile
head OF cons titutional government
Now. Miss Sylvia Pankhurst Just re-
leased from Holloway prison, lay
down on the steps OF the house or
commons promising to remain there
until. the premier received deputa-
ton. or until she died OF starvation.
Her rntiable weakness, the result
OF repeated hunger strikes, made the
threat ominous as prophecy
/ The first minister OF the crown sur
rendered!
The girl leader, too weak TO walk,
was carried back to Bethnal Green
to call, together the deputation al
ready selected
Five delegates from East London
suffrage societies chosen by public
meetings held in Lime House, Can
ming Town, Poplar, Bow and Bromley
(the five boroughs where millions OF
toilers struggle to livel, left Old Ford
road In the heart OF the dim east end
to wait upon the prime minister
Instructed to go alone, without sur
| frage organizers or members OF par
| lament. Mrs. Ford, tailoress, Mrs.
| Hughes a brushmaker, Mrs. Parsons,
q cigarette packer; Mrs. Payne. and
| Mrs. BIRD. housewives, gathered In
| the premier's library
81 am somewhat late" apologized
| Premier Asquith, as he entered. A
Simultaneous smile assented. Late,
indeed, at least seven years late!
A Transport Workers Wife's Story.
Mrs. Bird, wife OF a transport work
er, stepped forward
"Sit,1 am the mother Of six chill
dren under 13 years of age. ! have
one OF the best OF husbands--a tee
totaler-eaTning $6.25- week. You
may see am not fighting for the
vote for myself. am one OF the
best-off women on the east end.
There are thousands worse on than
me. But holding the home together
depends upon us keeping our health.
"The tenement we live in, the mar
kets for our food, my baby's milk. the
,
oil these are healthy, or dangerous,
according as borough councillors at
tend TO them.
my husband cannot follow up such
things. He comes home late, dead
tired, poor man, needing his sleep. IL
rs ] who must protect the family
The east end as we know II is no
place FOR children. We mothers feel
80 k.s.. AoN., L.. N,-,
proving conditions. But borough
councillors will not heed us until we
have the vote"
She stood back.
A TaiIoress' Story.
Another woman stepped forward,
Mrs. Ford, OF Stepney, tanoress.
Though she bowed bravely her hands
trembled.
"Sir, | am a widow these IL years
There is no man to speak for me or
my two children. At my trade II is
common thing for grown women TO
barn but seven shilhngs (S1.75), for
full weeks work. II is impossible
10 live decentiy on that II Is hard
struggle to make both ends meet
There is no help for us but the
Norkhouse. That means separation
rom my little ones. Surely H. was
lt 20 bear them | am At TO care for
hem.
In my young days took up trous-
>r making and pressing but was
orced 10 leave the shop rather than
submit % the unwelcome attentions
y b foEeman.
"in tho same place there was a
oung giri innocent bat weak.wiDed,
nd she had 10 20 10 the workhouse
who're o child was born. After she
eame out she had no place TO 60 so
ne cnfpe homo with me and shared
ny bad aud room
There were five OF us In ono room
nd rather than talCs tho bread from
ny chfidren's mouths she won't out
Nc day, I never saw her again until
hk and her baby wers dragged from
he river, Hha was dead, SIR, but the
uifity man went scot freel | am
rying To tell you, Mr.. AsQulth, Why
ye need ths vote, As II IL now, Il IL
ways the woman who pays"
A Brushmaker's Story,
Mrs. Hughes, an elderly woman, ad.
anced and handed tho prime min.
Eter hairbrush,
Sir, am brushmaker these Is
ears, a quick worker, having been
Il so long. That brush is sold for
250 For making Il am paid four
ents, Employers know II is safe 10
weat woman, Two cents one sweat.
offered me for filling 200 holes with
ristles, Man, says ], III have the
" on YOU, Woman he laughs I'm
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