The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-02-17


Aid to That End-Favors Federal
Eight Hour Law.
BY FLORENCE l.. SANvILLE,
Secretary and treasurer of the Womens
Trade Union league Of Philadelphia.
The first meeting of the Philadel-
phia Womens Trade Union league In
its new home in that city was fore.
cast of what it hopes to become to the
wage earning women of the commu
nifty.
In the executive board meeting, which
took place first, and in the open meet
ing of members and friends; which fol-
lowed, the twofold purpose of the
league was evident-frst, the improv-
ing of the workers conditions through
organization and through legislation;
second, the education of wage earning
women SO that they may more effec-
lively secure these ends.
The most important action taken by
the executive board was the vote in ia
vor of supporting the workers in the
shirtmaking trade in the demands for
improved conditions which they have
sent In to the manufacturers in that In
dustry. A letter from the secretary of
local No. 1853 of the United Garment
Workers was read urging the assist
ance. of the Women's Trade Union
league in extending their organization
among the American girls in the shirt
making trade. Women constitute a
very large part of the workers in this
industry, and they now represent about
two-thirds of the organized workers.
Information was also received by the
executive board concerning the situa-
ton In closely allied trade-that of the
waist, silk suit and children dressmak-
ers. This strong union of more than
5000 men and women concluded an
agreement just year ago at the end
of short strike. For some weeks past
negotiations have been in progress be-
tween the workers and employers. The
union has wished to see enforced the
wage scale for cutters, the principle of
which was granted by the board of ar
bitration at the close of the strike in
January 1916 but has not been en-
forced. The union desires this to be
put into operation now and is anxious
for the matter to go before the arbitra-
ton board so that minimum wage
may be established. This board was
| chosen at the time Of the strike year
ago and determined the agreement I'M
der which the union and the manufac-
turers have since operated.
An important matter was acted upon
by the executive board. That was the
decision to form joint publicity COM
mtttee with other organizations of wo-
men in the city for carrying on the ed
ucational campaign in behalf of the
eight hour day for wage earning wo-
| men in Pennsylvania. A letter of invi-
tation to this effect has been sent out
to the more important women's clubs
and civic organizations.
The general meeting was addressed
| by Miss Emma Steghagen of Chicago,
secretary Of the National Women's
Trade Union league, and by Mrs. Flor
ence Kelley Of New York. secretary Of
| the National Consumers league Mrs
Kelley spoke on the proposed federal
eight hour bill for women which is to
be introduced into congress. This meas
ure will limit the hours Of work of
women engaged in the manufacture of
goods for interstate commerce to eight
hours day and will aim to operate on
the same basis as the recent federal
child labor law. The Consumers league
and the Women's Trade Union league
are cooperating both as national or
CARNATIONS and in their local branches
for the enactment of uniform laws es-
tablishing an eight hour day for wo-
men.
The meeting was attended by work
ers from the bindery trade, hosiery
manufacture, wooden yarn aud uphol-
stery trades, waist makers, cloak fin
ishers and cigarmakers, as well as Of
fee and department store workers All
except the last two of these groups
have trade union organizations.
A resolution was adopted calling
upon representatives In congress to act
quickly and favorably on the Casey bill
to establish a womens division in the
bureau of statistics in the department
of labor.