Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1918-01-11
WAGES FOR WOMEN
WORKERS TOO LOW
INDUSTRIAL WELFARE CONIMIS-
SIONS ASKS EMPLOYERS TO
PAY PROPER WAGES.

The cost Of living has increased
at least 35 per cent over the cost for
the years 1914 and 1915, owing to
war conditions, declares the WASH
ington Industrial Welfare Commits
sion, in session in Olympia last Mon
day. Because of this advance the
says that If the women
and child wage workers of the state
are to be maintained according to
American standards of living much
higher wage must be paid than the
rates which were established by the
conferences arranged by the COM
mission in 1914-15.
Efficient, physically strong and
healthful, mentally alert, and con-
tented workers are necessary to the
industrial activities of tie state in
this hour of the nations supreme
test. Employers are asked to meet
these requirements by paying a wage
that. will properly house, nourish
and clothe their workers under the
war conditions that have made such
high prices for necessaries.
The text of the proclamation Is as
follows:
A proclamation by the Industrial
Welfare Commission of the state of
Washington:
American standards must be
maintained during the period our
nation is engaged in this world war,
that efficient, physically strong and
healthful. mentally alert and con-
tented workers may keep the indus
trial and commercials activities of
our state at high standard of serv-
ice to the nations cause in the hour
of it's supreme test. Such STAN
dard can only be maintained under
a condition where the workers re-
ceive a sufficient wage to guarantee
proper nourishment, housing and
clothing. and with work day OF
such reasonable hours as to allow
them necessary time for rest and re-
creation. The states workers are
patriotic and desire to do their part
in supporting the nations activities
in the prosecution of the war. II
the women and minors engaged In
its industries receive a wage that
will enable them to purchase bonds
and subscribe their snare for Red
Cross work, ETC., 1t will have q tre-
mendous influence in making, not
only for industrial contentment. but
will be conducive to higher STAN
dard of citizenship.
The minimum wage orders of this
commission, affecting the women
and minors engaged in the various
Industrial and commercial employ
ments in this state. were promul-
gated in 1914 and 1915. when tho
country was at peas and the cost OF
living was at least 35 per cent lower
than at. this time. Such rates Of pay
do not constitute living wage
under present conditions. The COM
mission believes that these condi-
lions are incident to the war and
are, therefore, temporary. and 1t Is
reluctant to invoke the legal meth
DDS of establishing a higher scale.
but appeals to the patriotic sense OF
duty and obligation resting upon
the employers Of the state to grant
to their employees in this class a
proper increase of wages to cover
this period of the greatly increased
cost of living with which we are now
burdened. This commission expects
a full and prompt response to this
appeal from all employers through
out the state. Unless employers do
respond satisfactorily the commits
sion will be compelled to take such
other action within its power as may
be necessary to insure the desired
result.
Having full confidence in the pa
trotism of all our people that en-
ployes and employers alike will Co
operate to the end of bringing about
the highest industrial efficiency In
, the state, we do hereby issue this
proclamation, and hereunto set oul
hands and seals this 7th day of Jan
/ ,,Nia 70 y, I'M yt n