Evening journal., 1919-02-04
ENDORSE
MINIMUM PAY BILL
Miss Shearman Explains
Measure to Ministerial
Association
WAGES TO BE BASED
ON COST OF LIVING

Miss Margaret H. Shearman. repre-
senting the Consumers League OF Della
ware, appeared before the ministerial
Union ata special meeting at the Young
Mems Christian Association yesterday
in behalf Of the Minimum Wage bill
for women and minors now before the
Legislature. A resolution endorsing the
bill and calling for its passage was
adopted by the conference unanimously
on motion OF the Rev. DR.. Robert Watt
and Is as follows:
Resolved, That the Ministerial Union
OF Wilmington and vicinity at a called
meeting held at the Young Mems Chris
tian Association auditorium on Febru-
airy 90 al ii30 a. M, hereby endorses
the Minimum Wage Bill, Senate Bill No.
10. now before the Legislature and calls
fer It's passage without weakening
amendments on the ground that II
would conserve the health. welfare and
morals OF women and minors employed
in industry by lnsuring 10 them wages
which are adequate to supply them
with the necessary cost OF living to
maintain them in good health and pro-
tect' their morals"
THE Delaware campaign for the Mini
mum Wage Bill will call for courage
and moral leadership. declared Miss
Shearman who Is a member Of the
legislation committee OF the Consum-
ers' League, land who are more lifted
10 lead ln this matter than the church
es? Remember the experiences OF the
flght for the Ten Hour Law SIX years
ago. Is the church sorry Il helned
them7 or course not. Undoubtedly the
Minimum Wage Bill will arouse oppo-
st'on In some quarters though very
little has yes come 10 the surface In
any public way.
Minimum wage legislation" contln-
ued Miss Shearman, "is the imperative
need OF the hour for women who work
for a living. Jlt Is the most practical
scheme OF three possible ways OF In
surinE a living wage TO women. En-
ployers who would take volunteer ac-
tlon In the matter are too far between.
Then there are too many low-pald Oc-
cupations among women 10 allow Of
such effective organization as would
guarantee voice in industry such as
men wage-esrners can claim. Legsla-
tion by the public and through the pub
lie IS the only other practical way.
This proposal for minimum wage
legislation Is not a new or revolution
ary measure. Twenty-Five years ago
New Zealand and Australia had made a
beginning. with such good results as
time went on that the more cOnserva-
tive mother country. Great Britain. in
1879 adopted similar legislation and ap-
piled the principle to the lowest-paid
industries.
"In the country, States east. west and
central have passed minimum wage
laws In recent years, untf today twelve
States and the District Of Columbia. also
Manitoba In Canada have minimum wage
laws.
"The vital principle Of this legislation
is arbitration. No nat minimum wage
Is proposed but the wage agreed on by
the minimum wage boards. representa-
tive Of employers. employees and the
public equally, Is based primarily on
the cost Of living so that the result Is
indeed a living wage. Special provision
Is made for experienced and lnexper-
fenced workers and for minors In In
dustry. and for the disabled or other
wise sub-normal workers special per
mlts are to be allowed on a clearly de-
fined basis.
"The orders Of the Minimum Wage
Board, would. in fact. vary for different
localities throughout the State, a just
and equitable arrangement.
1.-THE history OF the spread OF mini
mum wage legislation has shown SINH
lar features in different States. Busi-
ness men feared increased cost until
demonstration had proved that fears
were groundless: or where, in the case
Of a courageous pioneer like Mr.. Filene
Of Boston. II had been clearly demon
strated even before legislative enact