The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-09
GIRL TOTLER TELLS
EVIL OF LOW WAGES
Heard by Factory Commission
on Minimum Scale for
Women.
EDUCATORS FOR NEW LAW

The question Of recommending legisia-
tion for a minimum wage scale for
women and minors was again discussed
before the New York State Factory In
vestigating Commission yesterday, in the
Municipal Building While most OF the
witnesses believed in the establishment
Of n minimum wage there was conflict of
opinion as 20 the effect OF such law.
SocioloCists, philanthropic workers
statistlcians, educators. representatives
OF trade unions and manufacturers we're
present.
The FIRST witness was the Rev. D. J.
Mcmahon. supervisor o. the Catholic
Charities OF the Diocese OF New York,
who said that the s,me had come for a
minimum wage scale for women through
state legislation. Tic believed that when
women were paid less than "A living wage
the balance was made up by charity.
Dr. Waite T.. Weyl, author Of the
New Democracy and an editor OF the
NCtO Repvbhc. said that when woman
had to work TOR less than a living wage
she suffered from III health. which i'm
paired her efficiency.
The statistics OF ten years Of the
commission" he said. SHOW that wages
paid TO large numbers or women, sup
posed To be adequate. are far below what
II Is necessary for them to I've on. We
cannot escape some kind of minimum
wage legislation anu 7 DelleNe lutl II q
law fair to both sides for a minimum
wage Is passed It would operate so salts
factorily that the employers would not
want to have II repealed"
He cited the minimum wage bill passed
In 1895 in Victoria, Australia. regulating
the sweating industries. which was at first
opposed by the employers. When the
law was in operation some time, he said.
1t was extended through the efforts OF
employers to 1874 trades.
Or. L. L. \. Seligman. who holds III"
( McNickar chair Of economics at Column
bla, said that legislation would help. but
that a living wage for workers was a
question OF social responsibility.
Miss Josephine Goidmark OF the Ma
tional Consumers League said that il was
matter beyond question that the low
wages undermined the morals Of the work
\ ers She said that she was surprised when
she saw 20 many OF them good under the
circumstances She thought II was foolish
| to talk Of efficient living on S. a week.
Dr. Henry 4. Sea ger. professor OF po-
litical economy in Columbia University,
believed that If there was to be mini
mum wage law II should apply to men as
well as women and minors.
DIR. Edward T. Deyine OF the School OF
! Philanthropy was on tho stand for a short
time and was followed by Miss Mary Won
| IIeeck. who made an Investigation for the
commission a short time ago. She advu-
Gated the establishment by law or other
wise of minimum wage boards. She thought
a woman should not be paid less than SO
| a week Very low wages led to a lower
moral tone among the workers, she said.
| At the request of Miss Charlotte Bangs.
a writer. a girl was put on the stand who
said she had been for many years working
| in a store at $3.50 a week sometimes
working ten and twelve hours a day.
Girls were insultod AT times. she said. and
the conditions tended TO bring about i'm
morality
The third and last hearing OF the board
| In the present series will take place to-day
| in the Hall OF Records.