Evening journal., 1918-11-23
Want women TO
STAY IN INDUSTRY
National Consumers League
Pleads for Workers Who
Have Made Good
SOME MEN NUISANCE,
MRS. DEWEY DECLARES

"What will be done with the women
workers when the men discharged from
war industries and the soldiers come
back and want jObs7" This was the
most discussed and most unanswerable
question before the session OF the Ma
tional Consumers League yesterday.
II was a nearly unanimous opinion
that women who had made good, and
wanted 10 remain In industry, and were
not under-cutting the men ought to
have the chance. No resolution 10 this
effect was adopted, as Mrs. Florence
Kelley expressed the sentiment OF the
league by saying:
"Such a resolution would be an i'm
pertlnence at this time; we can trust 10
the intelligence OF the women and ofil-
clals to adjust the matter as 1t comes
up"
Miss Edna Palmer, Delaware in
spector, said that many women had al
ready been discharged from a local
munltion plant TO make way for men,
and she though this seemed to be the
tendency locally. However, with the
opening OF all the smaller shirt and
clothing down-State factories, which
have been closed during the war, Miss
Palmer thought there would be no dinl-
Guilty in securing plenty OF work for
women. She said they would not get
half what they got as war wages, but
board was much cheaper down the
State.
War wages are war wages, and every
thinking person must know that no
country can continue them in peace
times" exclaimed Miss Hadow, the
British government Inspector present.
Speaking OF the peace industrial prob
lem In England, Miss Hadow said that
previous rough censuses showed at
least one-thlrd OF the English workers
desired to withdraw to home life. She
thought many would continue as small
farmers, as they like II, and a huge
amount Of land has been added TO the
farming area since the war. Also, so
many OF the ordinary needs OF life
have not been manufactured in England
for four years that there are years OF
work ahead to renew the supply. II
England can secure the raw materials
she said, there will be no doubt of suf-
'nclent work for both men and women
II raw materials are not plentiful, the
problem will be entirely different.
Mile. Bourat, speaking for France, SAID
that a large percentage OF French
women were in industry before the war.
and will naturally go back 10 their pre-
war Jobs, with the big dressmakers,
keeping small shops and running small
farms. Before the war, seven million
French women were in gainful occupa-
tions.
Miss May Matthews spoke for the
Federal Children's Bureau, in the alb
sence OF Miss Julia Lathrop, saying the
chief work now would be a back to
school,. drive for all minors who have
been out working during the war
men are a nuisance; they will, not
allow any reconstructve legislation be-
cause a governor Is always coming In
or going out In our State. Every time
you want 10 do anything the men say
TO sit still and not rock the boat COM |
planned Mrs. Davis r. Dewey, a mem |
Der OF the Massachusetts, Labor Board.
She asserted that the commission in
that State could not enforce the labor
laws because OF the scarcity of in
spectors allowed them, and because po-
litlcal pull put aged and ignorant per-
sons 10 these positions. She claimed
that the Civil Service examinations were
a farce; men who knew nothing OF labor
or machinery securing high-paid po-
stons ahead OF practical experts.
A resolution was passed opposing the
OF women under 2i years |
OF age as messengers, letter carriers, ele-
vatOr operators, street car employees, |
meter inspector or bell girls.
Caring for girls who are being dis |
charged by thousands from govern |
ment Jobs at Washington was one OF
the peace problems that was brought |
to the attention OF the league. II was |
declared that many OF them left their
homes in various parts of the country |
and went TO the nations capital, where
living was high and the housing con-
ditlons inadequate.
As a result their salaries were eaten |
up In self-suppOrt, so that many Will
be unable 10 pay their train fare home.
The league will take some measures to
aid these stranded girls In an effort to
prevent a repetition OF the conditions
which existed after the Spanish-Ameri-
can War, when 400 girls disappeared.
All speakers agreed that Allied or
life would never return 10
the lower pre-wsr standards. The
speakers advised safeguards and. eau
lion In employing minors in war cam
)aigns.
Mrs. T. Coleman dupont said the Y.
". C. A. was opposed to any soliclta- |
ion for war funds by girls under IS
ears.
Miss Hadow, OF Great Britain, Minis
ry of Munitions, Welfare Department,
old of how TIE standards of comforts
D homes had gone up when the women
iere enabled by the munition plant
rage to provide for their families little
lxuries long denied Before the war,
he stated women in the middle classes
'ere unsccustomed TO eating meat;
ley save such nutritious visnds for
he men and children. eating pastry and
ghter food themselves. When the
Iar upset the country and women were
allied into the factories, they were di-
3cted TO eat meats and strengthening
)ods so that they would be in physi-
II condition TO Withstand the work.
Mile. Bourat. in quaint halting Eng
sh, outlined her work as government
lspector OF factories in France. At the
utbreak Of the war, she said, industry
'as brought to a standstlll and the
women then employed were termpo- ,
arily thrown out OF positions. Then ,
.sme the urgent call for munitions and
leavy factory work, which the women
Undertook despit the dangers to their {
physieal y well-be'ng They believed then /,
Shat ~. me condition would not last over !
Sn ,,.1 months and factory improvements
mere ro.l. therefore postponed. When the