Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-02-05
URGES MINIMUM
WAGE FOR WOMEN
Believes Better Work Would
FolIoW-Praises Act of
Henry Ford.

Roman Catholic seminary at St. PAU,
was the principal speaker at a largely
attended public meeting held yester-
day afternoon in the First Presby
terrain Church by the Consumers
League of New Jersey. Father Ryan
spoke on 1.-THE Minimum Wage"
1t is exceptional for a priest to
speak in any but a Catholic church.
Father Ryan received special per-
mission from his superiors to speak
in the First Church So far as could
be learned today it was the first time
in the history of the local ediffce that
a Catholic priest spoke there.
Father Ryan is one of the
most prolific American writer's
on the question of socialism. He is
the author of a number of books on
the subject, and at present he is one
of the principals in a discussion of
socialism that is being carried on in
a leading monthly magazine. He has
been connected with the seminary
at st. Paul, which is under the direc-
ton of Archbishop Ireland since 1872.
For some time past he has been
on a lecture tour of the country and
will speak in Jersey City tomorrow
Speaking on the need of minimum
wage legislation, Father Ryan yester-
day said:
Inc DeSL AUTHORITIES On LIlt SuOJtSl
agree that three-fifths of the adult
working women earn less than IS per
week. The best authorities on the
cost of living agree that So week is
the lowest that self-supporting wom-
en- can live on decently in this coun-
try There are not any methods by
which those three-fifths who are earn
ing that small amount weekly can
have their wages raised except
through legislation and laws.
Minimum wage legislation has
worked successfully in Australia and
in a few trades in England to which
apparent reason why it wouldn't work
as well here. at least applied to
women and minors. Nine States in
this country have adopted a mini
mum wage schedule for women. In
two of these States, Massachusetts,
and Nebraska, violators are not fined.
but In the others fines and imprison-
ments are the penalties imposed for
violations.
Higher Pay, Higher Prices.
1.-THE argument most frequently
heard In opposition to the proposal"
the speaker continued, SIS that 1t
would lessen employment because the
employer would have to raise prices
in order to get the additional money
to pay higher wages. 1t isn't at all
certain that this would happen except
in some industry where the raise
would be very great"
Continuing, Father Ryan declared
that greater efficiency would be the
result of minimum-wag order. IL
girls are not getting enough to
properly nourish themselves. they
cannot do as good work as if they
olofhod he
argued. So the minimum wage would
bring about increased efficiency of
the workers.
Then, too, there would be better
business methods, better organization
of production by the employer and
managers of business than has
usually happened where wages have
been raised. There would be better
understanding between capital and
labor, he urged.
Another part OF the increase in
wages" the speaker said, would I'M
doubtedly come out of profits in those
! establishments that are now making
more than the usual rate of profits.
I'VE must admit that there would
possibly be some increase In prices In
some goods upon which women work,
but there is no reason to believe 1t
| would be in any way large"
No Bad Effect from Raises.
Father Ryan said the same argu-
ment that is being used against the
minimum wage problem can be and
is used against the raising of wages
of any class But he pointed out that
as a matter of fact it was well known
that raises in wages have very rarely
produced a bad effect or reduced the
volume of employment.
IF this argument were good or
sound" the speaker said, lit would
mean that we can't hope to raise the
wages of any of the underpaid Sec
lions of our working population. In
other words, it would mean that our
present Industrial system is bank
rupt, and don't believe it is"
Speaking of the Consumers League
of New Jersey, Father Ryan said it
was encouraging to see how much
could be accomplished by such q
small number of enthusiastic women.
He pointed out that the league was
composed of women who have GER
tain amount of leisure, and while it
was not a working women's move
ment, 1t was very encouraging to him
to see that class taking an interest
in the affairs of their less fort
sisters.
"A
solution of the problem until the
more fortunate class realize their
duty to the less fortunate" asserted
Father Ryan.
Father Ryan was asked later about
his views concerning the recent ac-
ton of Henry Ford, automobile man
ufacturer, who has established
minimum wage of SIS among his en-
ployees
Praise for Henry Ford.
"I am glad of it-glad because of
the general effect it will have on 9TH
er employers throughout the country.
1t will start them asking themselves
questions. 1t Is an excellent plan, and
| only hope Mr.. Ford's profits are such
as to warrant him in continuing the
plan OF course. / don't believe that
all industries could stand such plan.
Another thing, Mr.. Ford will not be
able to stand it, either, If some con-
Germ can put out an automobile that
will compete with the Ford machine"
Henry F. Hilfers, secretary of the
State Federation of Labor, also spoke.
He urged the support OF Assembly Dill
No. 80, which provides for working
day of nine hours for women.
Preceding the public gathering the
business session WIS held in the
church parlors and officers were
elected for the ensuing year. They
are Mrs. G.. w. B. Gushing, of East
Orange, president; Mrs. Charles L.
Thompson, of East Oranges; Mrs. S.
Bayard bod, of South Orange, AMI
Miss Anne McIlvaine, of Trenton,