The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-05-11
MILLION WOMEN IN
BRITAIN'SNDUSTRY
Have Replaced Men Work
ers Since War Began.
LONG HOURS ARE RESTRICTED
Rigid Measures Urged to Preserve
Health Of Children.

1Aoh a NoEnGn nave III
rectly replaced men in Industry in
Great Britain since the war began.
This fact, together with the duties
which women are required to perform
in factories and other lines Of endeav.
or. periods Of employment, arrange
ments for rest and meals. and the
physical conditions OF women work.
ers as well as a discussion of matters
affecting the employment OF Juveniles.
including hours Of labor, and super.
vision OF health and welfare. IS set
forth IN Bulletin 223 issued by the
Bureau OF Labor Statistics Of the De-
partment OF Labor.
1t is estimated that since the war
began and down to October, 1915. $685.
500 women. or 800 per cent Of the
number employed in July, 1914, had
been drawn into the various Govern
mental. industrial. and commercial
activities, and that in October. 1915,
933,0O0 women had directly replaced
men in industry. Many OF these wom-
en- are performing operations never
before considered possible for them
to do.
Long Hours RestrIeted.
In seeking to conserve the health
and thus promote the efficiency Of
these workers, the health and munI-
ton workers committee reached the
conclusion that long hours, particular
ly at night, are. perhaps. the chief
factors in fatigue, and that in the in
terest Of output and health they
should be restricted. There should be
suitable pauses for rest during the
working period and adequate cessa-
ton from work at each week end, in
addition TO periodic holidays. The
system of three shifts of eight hours
each appears to yield better results
than one shift OF thirteen to fourteen
hours. or two shifts OF twelve hours
each, because "the strain OF night
work. indeed. the strain generally. is
sensibly diminished. greater vigor Of
work Is maintained throughout the
shift, less time Is lost by unpunctual-
ity, or illness, and there Is less liabil-
ity to accident"
Employers are increasingly recOg-
MIXING the disadvantages Of an over
time system. well-managed indus
trial canteens, facilities for rest at
night, and a high standard OF sanitary
conditions are essential, for "cleanli-
ness and good order contribute to in
creased output as well as to the disci-
pline and morale OF the factory" Wise
and suitable arrangements for the
management and supervision OF wom-
ems labor are extremely important
Increasing Mobility shown
During 1914 the number OF women
who obtained employment in other dis
tricts through the employment ex-
changes was 81, 9Ss; in 1915, b3,396; in
1915, l60. 003: indicating the increasing
mobility OF women's labor due to war
conditions
To maintain the physical weIl-being
Of children, opportunities for recrea-
ton. time for plenty OF sleep, can
teen facilities and the efforts OF vel
fare supervisors are regarded as high
iy important. Sunday work should be
eliminated and children should be en-
ployed at night only when other la
Dor cannot be obtained. Employment
OF boys under sixteen should be re-
stricted 20 sixty hours per week. It
should be borne in mind that this
limit recommended by the committee
expresses their opinion OF the max
lmum which may be permitted to
meet the imperative need OF necessary
military and other supplies in a time
OF great emergency. From all that Is
known OF the effects OF Industrial en-
ployment upon the health OF young
persons, Il Is evident that a sixty-hour
week for boys under sixteen years Is
the absolute maximum, to be permit
ted only In case OF the direst necessity
to Eecure the production OF indispen-
sable supplies and munitions. 1t Is
estimated that 100000 chilren at or
about the age OF fourteen normally
leave the elementary schools annually,
and that in 1915 this number was ex-
ceeded by about $4,000. with the prob
ability that II Is now much greater.