The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-06-14
UNEMPLO LOYMENT IS
 BIG PROBLEM OF GARMENT WORKERS
Average Length of Work Year Is 24 Weeks Man
 ufacturers Fight Union

(From Committee on Industrial Rela-
 tions.)
 Washington, June 14-Every man, woman and girl worker of the 6O,OoO employed in the cloak and skirt di- vision of the garment trade in New York is necessary to the nanufactur- CTS during the two busy periods or seasons of the year. Yet the average length of time in which these workers are given employment is 24 weeks, less than one-half of the year. The average rate of wages for the men during the whole of the year is only $1d a weezx. because of their long periods of employment. The aver age for women workers, who consti- tute about 20 per cent. of those en- pIoyed, is around $6./ At least three fourths of the men workers are mar ried and have an average of six peo- during slack seasons and seasons of no work at all, they must borrow money or live on credit.
 These are among the chief facts brought out in a report to the Com nitte on Industrial Relations by in- vestigators within and without the union, under the direction of Juliet Stuart Poyntz and -Dr. Trachtenberg of the Rand schaal.
 The Manufacturers association is trying openly toN break up union or ganizatton among the workers. The members of the association are de- fantly telling the public that they workers, the 100000 workers and de- pendents, whose services they must have during busy periods
 In fighting to maintain their or ganization these union workers in the most important industry in New York are trying to protect the public inter est as well as their own
 "A recent study by the United States Public Health Service of the health conditions of the workers en- gagged in the garment industry in New York city reveals the fact that the garment workers as a class exhibit a large number of defects and di- seases,p says the report to the Com rnittee on Industrial Relations. ''The specialists who have made a thorough medical examination of representative groups of garment workers report that only about per cent. can be considered freefrom defects.
 ''In searching for the cause of the prevalence of tuberculosis among garment workers. the investigators for the United States, governmen showed that in their effort to provide for those dependent upon them the workers are likely to reduce their personal expenditures for necessities to the minimum, and in this way di- unfinished resistance to the disease is produced through insufficient diet and inadequate clothing. In addition to this, the necessity for earning the greatest possible wage in order to tide over the dull season wouldsl es- pecfa11y in the case of piece workers, lead to unusual exertion, diminishing vital resisteace and predisposing to tuberculosis infection.
 s"The finishers, with the lowest in- come, had the highest mortality among the garment workers farni1- lies is estimated to be about 1 6 per cent"
 An investigation into the home conditions of the garment workers was undertaken. The report says: s"The average family numbers six people The average number of rooms occupied per family was found to be three. They are almost invar- iably dark; often two of the rooms had only airshafts. Here were crowd ed usually five, six, or seven people. Only occasionally was here any sign of a bah that could be used. The toilets were generally in the halls and were used by occupants of the entire floor. The halls were dark and mar row. The rent paid never fell lower han $10 month, and sometimes reached as high as. BPS. The average was about $16. Itawas quite usual to take in a boarder, or perhaps two, to help with the expenses.