Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-29
WHIMS OF FASHION
DISTURB INDUSTRY,
SAYS INVESTIGATOR
Women Thrown Out of
Work by Hundreds Every
Time Craze" Changes,
Miss Poyntz Declares.

The fashion craze" in America, as q
disturbing and highly agsravating factor
IN industry. was condemned by Juliet
Stuart Poyntz, special investigator for the
American Association on Unemployment,
at the second session Of the association,
at the Hotel Walton today.
Miss Poynts said that America was
simply in the grip Of an awful fashion
craze which makes our women the butt
of rldicule on the part Of the women OF
other countries"
The speaker maintained that every
whim and caprice Of fashion was directly
responsible for throwing one group OF
workers or another out OF employment"
She said that the fashion craze was
directly responsible in aggravatlng chaos
and disorder In industry.
'Tf every woman In the grip of the fash
ion craze" said Miss Poyntz, knew that
every change In the style Of her shoes or
dress causes untold suffering to hundreds,
and perhaps thousands OF workers. she
would be less enthusiastic in her adher-
ence to style"
The enormous amount OF shifting from
place to place and from job to Job by
workers driven by the lash OF necessity
was described by Mrs. Irene Osgood An.
drews.
The speaker pointed out the gravity of
the problem of unemployment IN the fact
that although great masses OF men and
women. through no fault of their own,
may be out OF work, their lack Of en- |
ployment does not eradicate their right |
for work and for food, clothing and shell |
ter. The entire session was devoted to |
the consideration of reports of special in
and the discussion OF public |
bureaus.
I'm the course OF my investigation"
said Mrs. Andrews "the head of a great
metropolitan establishment told me that
he employed 1900 persons during year
TO keep up n force that was never larger
than 5H3 In ten confectionery estab-
hshments 318 persons were employed to
maintain an average force of 953 The
net result OF this irregularity Is a still
further reduction in earnings that are
ow enough at best.
out OF over 1000 women workers in the
netter candy factories OF New York two
birds lost more than 10 per cent. of their
ate while nearly nth lost more than
'ne-quarter OF their supposed earnings
IN account Of unemployment"
Juhet stuart Poyntz, a collaboration |
With the famous English economists Syd-
icy and Beatrice Webb. also spoke.
AANi buUJtCI WAS seasonal 1T1doE' |
ne speaker said she recently completed
study of this problem through the CO. |
peration OF the Boston Chamber Of Com
1erce and the Association on Unemploy-
1ent, and that her investigation had re-
called widespread irregularlty of employ
lent among workers in the building, boot
nd shoe, printing cigar making and ]
ther trades.
The percentage OF union workers in the
ullding tradeI unemployed in Boston has
OF fallen below 10 per cent. In any
Inter since 1901. according TO this in
esusator' and has usually reached or I
assed 20 per cent. For unslSilled labor
ne conditions are much worse, said the !
Deaker. q
Employers" she added, "can do much 6
increase the regularity of employment .
eyeral are making this a special object \
ld have organized employment bureaus, 5
ith specially trained employment man Y
ger at their head. One is even con- A
mplatlng unemployment insurance for n
S workers" n
Frank o'Harra, of the Catholic Uni 7
'rsity of America, who directed the in p
istigations in 1914 of the Oregon Com T
ittee of the Association on Unemploy- N
ent. spoke or public works.
1T is the duty OF those charged with
q expenditure of public money for la -
n ne said, TO study the conditions !
the labor market. Even where the l.
st or executing public work is slightly j.
CHER In industry's dull season, II will a
found that In the long run II is true j.
onomy to furnish the workers OF the y
.ton with steady opportunity to earn M
living rather than to furnish them with NJ
termittent doles Of charity" Al
Charles B. Barnes and Walter L. Sears u
'ectors OF the New York State and New n,
'rk City Public Employment Bureaus. r.
spectively, spoke on the opportunities e;
: constructive work and accomplish M
mt through these channels.
The times are out OF joint through no
alt Of theirs" declared T. S. McMahon To
Seattle. In speaking of bhe number OF an
Hing and able workers now out OF em- u.
'yment on the Pacific coast. They Ki
que that the workers have produced Nj
nty for all and are willing TO continue q
produce, but are not given the oppor ~
ilty. AZ
They refuse to beg. They demand oy
rk, and, falling TO obtain 1t at a fair &c
ge, they quietly walk into the res
rants order meal and walk out with Al
suggestion that aOntafv nau th. bEgt-- ] "