New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-14
Avoid "Sister Susie" Aid in War,
British Expert Tells Americans
Mary Macarthur Says Patriotic Women Did More Harm
than Service by Competing with Regular Workers
Urges Good Pay and Short Hours
By F. A. WRAY

London, May 15.-"They also serve
who only stand and wait" is the text
that sums up the views Of Miss Mary
Macarthur toward the organization OF
women for war work.
Miss Macarthur is rhe leading au-
thority in Great Britain on the subject
OF women's work and organization. For
years she has been the secretary OF the
Women's Trade Union League and also
of the executive council of the National
Federation Of Women Workers, and IN
any question arising out OF female
labor is the first person referred 70
either by employers or government de-
partments To her mainly is due the
improved conditions OF pay and hours
conceded to women during the last
three years.
Her text is founded upon experience
gained during the first weeks OF the
war and all the time since. In the hrst
week after the declaration there was
in many trades an industrial panic.
Women were discharged wholesale and
many businesses were shut down on the
spot, and a time Of serious general I'M
employment appeared imminent.
I've had not learned" said Miss Mac
arthur, Chat although war must mean
dislocation of employment II does
not necessarily mean unemployment.
So much to the contrary that at the
present time there are still great num-
bers Of women in this country awaiting
work"
Central Committee Of Women
Immediately on the outbreak OF war.
the government set up central COM
mttee. entirely composed of women, 10
deal with this question of women's un-
employment. Miss Macarthur was ap-
pointed honorary secretary and other
members included Lady Crewe, Miss
Violet Markham and Miss Margaret
Bondfield.
1--WE found ourselves deluged,' said
practically unframed women workers IN
luxury trades, stenographers, shop as
sistants and seamstresses. This was bad
enough. But it was made worse. Be-
cause there was a sudden wholesale
demand for work Of various kinds on
behalf of soldiers equipment, great
army OF well-to-do women, full OF
patriotism. but having no experience or
training of any kind, just threw them
selves into the market all ready to
WORK for nothing. They were pre-
nared 10 cut out and make soldiers
shirts. knit socks and mufflers-in fact,
do any mortal thing to help. But the
result of this Sister Susie INVASION as
we termed il, was TO make matters
a hundred times worse for the ordinary
working women. 1t was economic COM
petition of an unheard-of nature.
I'VE gradually disposed of this ele-
ment. Then, with the aid of the
Queens Work for Women Fund, we
started to make rea. use Of the wom-
en-. thrown out OF their accustomed
employment, and train them for other
suitable work.
Main Executive Functions
"Our main executive functions were
these: ,.,
ave assisted the proper distribution
of work available for women IN Norman
tg.et
industry and facilitated the provision
Of alternative employment mot entail
ing loss of skilD for skilled women as
placed because OF the war.
ave promoted new openings for per-
manent employment under economic
conditions. lit,
1--WE laid down the lines on which
the central committee would De pre-
pared 10 approve schemes for the pro,
vision of work for women uhemp!oyeu
because of the war.
ave considered actual schemes sub
mitted for approval by local representa-
five committees, and, after approval,
supervised their administration.
ave promoted and administered ex-
detrimental schemes, approved by the
government committee, under when
work was provided for women displaced
because of the war.
ain the first category our principls
was that workers should be self-main-
tanning rather than dependent upon
relief. even when that relief was gwen
in the form Of work. One or our nrst
stems was TO create n special contract
department. with the idea OF enlarglng
the number of firms and workers par
ticipating in the supply OF governmen'
requirements. This enabled US 70 ad-
wise in regard 10 the placing OF con-
tracts and orders so that unemploy
ment might be prevented or minlmlzed,
and. secondly, to undertake government,
work. 10 be carried out either by hrms
adversely affected by the war, or In
workrooms which we organized on
self-supporting basis.
"As one instance, we obtained the
following orders. soon after we oegah'
% 600 army cut-out gray shirts 10 be
made IN: 10000 similar shirts per week
when above were finished; 10000 han
mol body belts for the French and Brit
ish armies; 100000 pairs army gray
seeks.
Work Made Maintaining
"These orders were only undertaken
when certain conditions prevailed. The
first was that the ordinary trade should
ba fully employed. The second that
tho work should be carried out st trade
prices and be self-maintainlng, and the
third that the pay should be that usual
in women's trades.
am regard 70 relief work we opened
wcrkrooms whose supervision was dele
r.l n