The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-18
SUFFRAGE IS URGED
TO END LABOR'S ILLS
Mrs. Benedict Tells U. s. In
quirers Wilson Could Bring
Industrial Peace.
BARROW ALSO ON STAND

wAsHrNoroN. May 17.-woman's suf-
frage as a panacea for social and In
dustrial unrest was proposed to the
Commission on Industrial Relations
to-day by Mrs. Crystal Eastman Bene-
dict OF New York. who told the COM
mission that she was an Industrial In
vestigator, writer and lawyer. She
spoke for the Congressional Union. one
Of the national suffrage associations.
III you ask me to suggest what your
commission should recommend as a
remedy for social unrest said Mrs
Benedict at the conclusion Of her testi-
mony. "I would say urge tho immediate
adoption OF the woman's suffrage amend
ment to the Federal Constitution. And
would say to you: Don't walt until
you make your final report before YOU
make that recommendation-make II
now.
81 urge this because we feel that ths
question OF woman's suffrage Is one tha'
should not be cluttering up twentieth
! century MINNIE ~ b'A'i'So '
eighteenth century"
II was suggested 10 Mrs. Benedict thai
the commission. created by Congress
must make It's report and recommends
lions to Congress-. which will not be II
session until next December.
Don't wait for Congress- she said
Make your recommendation to Presl
dent Wilson. lie Is the one who can ge'
that constitutional amendment adopted
He can do IL"
Mrs. Benedict declared hat keepini
the ballot from women was one OF tn
big causes OF social unrest. and argued
that as the vote has been essential u
labor In winning what II has won 1t wal
equally vital to women. She quoted
statistic. to show tho ~injustices dom
women in industry, saying that on tn
average women wage earners are paiS
only one-half the wages OF men.
Discrimination by Government.
In the Government employ. she said
women clerks start In at $500 a yea
while men begin at 5000. n the womel
have to pass the same examination an
do the same work.
why" she said. I'VE have instance
Of $1,000 women clerks M are IN
structing $500 men clerks"
Mrs. Benedict referred 20 tho big gar
ment makers strike in New York
few years ago. when 10000 wome'
paraded to City Hall to urge the caus
OF the strikers on tho then Mayor Nc
Clellan.
"They were ignored-turned down,
she said. III they had been voter
they would have received a most re
spectful hearing. for $4,000 voters ca
always command n hearing
Walter Drew OF New York. counss
for the National Erectors Association
the organization that had the prolonge
struggle with the structural iro
workers, gave the commission the EN-
ployers' side Of tho controversy. "
urged the incorporation OF labor union;
denounced the boycott and defended tn
use of the injunction in labor disputes
He insisted also that labor and union
nave always had more than an eve
break In the courts.
Pleading the cause OF unorganize
labor Mr.. Drew said:
1T is the common laborer. morgan
lied and unable to get into a uniof
who IL the one constantly exploited an
who should have consideration. W
don't hear much OF his grievance
against society.
II want to say 20 you that we wi
not &c, any progress by worrying our
selves about giving a 20 cent an hou
bricklayer 10 or so cents an hour. bu
We VIII get progress 10y giving Just
little help TO the man clear down at IN
bottom of tho heap-the lola and
quarter a day man."
barrow Pleads for Poor.