Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-12-27
CITY PAYS
AMERICAN GIRLS
HIGHEST WAGES
Their Earnings Average
Twice Those of the Mex
lean Women, According
to a Recent Survey.

Austin, Tex, Dec. 26.-An indus
| trial survey recently made of FL
| Paso, Tex, by the women's divi-
sion of the state department of
labor, and comparison OF work
| ing and living conditions of Ameri-
| can and Mexican women in Texas,
| disclosed the fact that wages of
| American women in FL Paso av-
erage more than twice those of the
Mexican women. who constitute
approximately half the female
working force of the city.
! There were 944 American wo-
men and girls found in employ
ment at an average wage of
$19.1S," said Mrs. Claude De Vann
Watts, chief of the division. while
843 Mexican women and girls
showed an average of only SSS7;
a difference of $1O31 in favor of
the Americans. The general av-
| erage for women and girls of both
races was $14.32 for 1887 workers.
! Mexicans Quick to Learn.
This difference in wages paid
the two races is to be accounted for
/ through a number of causes, chief
among which are lack of educa-
!
inferior efficiency on the part of
the Mexican. Tnese conditions are
unquestionably due more to en-
vironment and lack Of opportunity
than to a mental inferiority, as is
proven by enquiries made BY our
inspectors in the schools. showing
that as a rule the Mexican child is
remarkably quick to learn and
shows extraordinary powers of
concentration and application to
studies.
"Of American women and girls
gainfully employed, SAT per cent
were single. 26.7 per cent married,
11,2 per cent widowed and IA per
cent divorced. OF Mexicans there
Were rs per cent single. 8 per cent
married, 10 per cent widowed and
1.6 per cent divorced"
Mrs. Van De Watts compared
the I'll Paso survey with one of
Fort Worth and continued: There
is a remarkable similarity between
the percentage of single, married,
divorced and widowed women of
the two cities, so far as Americans
are concerned. But the most re-
markahle thing in connection with
the Mexican race is the high per-
lcentage of women who have never
been married. The figures show
the percentage of unmarried Mexi-
can women abnormally high. while
the number of married and di-
vorced women is very low.
Lower Standard of Morals.
This would indicate a muck
lower standard of morals and a
scant regard for the marital rela-
ton. This is also borne out by the
fact that the birth rate out of we'd
: lock is much greater among Mexi-
cans than among Americans.
! Among the causes for this eondi-
: ton are low wages, making mar
: riage impractical; indiscriminate
: crowding of housing conditions.
Q regardless of sex, and low stand
: iards of living and education
= Perhaps the most valuable in
e formation to be had from this sur
Z vey is 4 comparison of educational
2 ! standards OF the two races. and the
g relations of wages and education.
= "A reference to the tables will
show that no American women or
= girls were found who had no
f schooling. Only seven were found
t who had quit school between the
= first and third grades. $50 between
= the third and eighth. 4Sl mad at
G tended high school, tifty-five had
e some college education, and forty
/. five had taken a business course
= OF the Mexicans, forty-siX had nc
D schooling, 263 quit school between
e the first and third grades, 513 be-
i h. it1
teen had gone to high school. none
s to college and two had taken a
n business course.
n Advantages of Schooling.
It "The average wage of those who
Il had no schooling. all of whom
n were Mexicans. was $7.55 q week
Y The average wage for American
II women and girls who had gone t.
5. high school was $20.06 a week. Of
~ 265 per cent higher than those wh'
l. had no schooling, while the aver
l. age wage of the college woman
was $2S.25, or 374 per cent higher
It and that of the woman who MAJ
i taken q business course $25.44, Q
II 337 per cent higher.
1.-THE average wage of Mexican
women and girls who had gone t
high school was $3.50 a week, o
1913 per cent higher than thos
who had no schooling, while thos
!, who had taken business cours
II received SIS a week. or 1887 pc
cent more wages.
THE value of education in busl
nj ness and Industrial employment
n crap hically brought out in IN
IS summary showing the averag
I'd wage of American women an
II, girls who have received a mig
to school education to be $20.b0
o. week, those who had not receive
in business training $25.44. and thos
with college education $2S.25.
p '"The percentage OF Mexica
so women who live at home or wit
rd friends or relatives is much grea'
In err than with Americans. Inc ms
IS, ures show that 500 per cent of tn
as Americans and 97.5 per cent OF III
ce Mexicans live at home. Nlnetee
re and fourteenth per cent Oh Ut
Americans, and only 2.5 per cai
o. Of the Mexicans, board. The ave-
ne age amount paid for board an
ii lodging per week is SLIGO *
We Americans and $4.SS per Mexican
it. which graphically brings out Y
he difference in standards of livir