New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-02-09
Bill to Protect
Women Workers ON
Railways Is Backed
Helen Mccormick Tells of
Conditions on Subway
and Surface Lines as
Exposed by Grand Jury

The following statement has been
made public by the Women's Joint
Legislative Conference in support of
one of the bills for the protection of
women in industry known as the
"Women's Programme:
The bill now before the Legislature
designed for the protection of women
transportation workers." says Miss
Helen Mccormick, Assistant District
Attorney of Kings County, "was drawn
up after an investigation by-and at
the recommendation of-the MAY
Grand jury in Brooklyn. 1t is spon-
sored by the Women's Joint Legisla-
tive Conference because of the need
OF protecting the health and morals of
the workers and to eliminate the evils
OF everwork and unsanitary conditions
which the investigation disclosed.
THE investigation was made be-
cause of numerous complaints by the
citizens of Brooklyn with respect to the
conditions surrounding the employ
ment OF women on street surface and
subway lines.
During the investigation District
Attorney Harry E. Lewis examined a
's@i BE AuluucE VI Witnesses, lncluQ1nE
many employees and some Of the Off
Gals of the road.
Young Girls Employed
ut was shown that the company en-
ployed as conductors and guards girls
in some instances between the ages of
fourteen and seventeen. Some of
those employed were shown to be drug
addicts, some prostitutes, and others
of doubtful character. 1t was shown
in many instances that women en-
ployes were permitted or required to
work more than ten hours a day.
Testimony also was adduced before
the Grand Jury showing insufficient
and inadequate accommodations for
women employees at the various depots
and terminals. These conditions are
detrimental and injurious to the COM
munity in general, and particularly as
affecting many decent and self
respecting women now employed or
desiring employment by the railroad
companies.
owe are asking in this law regula-
ton OF the hours of labor on railroads
in this state similar to that provided
for labor IN factories and mercantile
establishments. We ask it so as to
insure the women railroad employees a
reasonable working day under whole
some conditions. And we ask it so
that the public may be safeguarded by
having the women workers in suitable
physical condition.
"This bill limits the hours Of women
workers to nine consecutive hours a
day, and thus eliminates the swing
between runs. 1t provides that they
be paid from the time they report on
duty. 1t provides for one days rest
in seven. It eliminates night work
able toilet facilities compulsory. 1t
further prohibits the employment of
both male and female minors.
To Safeguard Health
due regard for the health of the
employees, whether men or women, re-
quires that employees should not be
worked an excessive number of hours
in q given day. This protection is
especially necessary for women trac-
ton workers, many Of whom have
home duties in addition to their work
on the cars.
"The health of the employee and the
jeopardy which the general public
assumes in riding on cars operated by
employees with insufficient rest make
it necessary that no woman employee
be required or permitted to work more
than reasonable number of hours
during any one day, including time
for meals.
1.-THE employment of women in
transportation work is direct out
come of the war. The investigation,