The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-25

The Industrial court today swatted
the $3.50 clothing budget for the
poor working girl and in. a tentative
order directed an average increase of
.17.6 per cent in minimum wages for
girls and women in number of oc-
cupations. The order was issued fol-
lowing taking of testimony in a num-
Der of cities. Findings cover work
ers in mercantile establishments,
laundries and manufacturing plants.
Final. hearing on the tentative ward
will be held in Topeka May 9. James
A. McDermott, of the industrial court
wrote the opinion in the tentative or
der. The wage case came under the
industrial welfare division of the labor
court.
General Increase Is Made.
Surveys made by the welfare di-
vision last summer were virtually
waived aside when the hearings began.
Large slumps in costs of clothing and
food resulted in virtual abandonment
of the commission budget. On the
other hand the industrial court re-
fused to seriously consider testimony
offered showing that where woman
made an effort to do so she might live
with a. budget of $3.50 a year for
clothing. The temporary award holds
that existing minimum wages are too
low. A general increase is made. On
the average it amounts to 17.6 per
cent for beginners in industries af-
fected.
Minimum wages for workers in
laundries are increased from $3.50 to
$11 a week Employees in mercantile
Establishments would receive a mini
mum of $1O.50 as against the present
allowance of $3.50. No change is
made in the present $11 minimum ap-
plying in manufacturing plants.
Neither does the industrial court
make findings affecting public house
keeping employees.
No changes are suggested for con-
ditions of labor of various classes of
employees. Laundry employees receive
a wage increase of 29-4 per cent and
mercantile wage minimums are ad-
vanced 23.5 per cent.
Harry Sharp Files Protest.
Harry Sharp. secretary of the Asso-
ciated Industries. today directed a let
ter to the industrial court protesting
against fixing of a final new minimum
wage award He asserted that in re-
cent hearings no evidence had been
offered tending to show women wage
healthy surroundings or that immoral
conditions existed. No emergency ex-
lists, he declares, and there is no oc-
casion at this time for reopening the
wage controversy.
. The various employing interests will
oppose the making of a final award
when the case is called in May.
I'VE feel there is no emergency and
InaL the 1nQuStrld1 court ShOulQ not
assume jurisdiction and seek to force
a higher wage at this time" said
Sharp. THE expense must naturally
be passed on to the public. The fact
that twelve states have refused to
pass similar wage laws and two states
have repealed their enactments indi-
Gates clearly that in most states there
is no serious occasion for such legis-
lation.''
The fight on q new wage schedule
will be based on the fact that no com
plants had been made and that there
was no showing during the hearing
that women wage earners were forced
to live in improper surroundings or
that wages paid in Kansas produced
immortality. The wage controversy
will likely be taken directly to the
court and establishment of an award
held up under injunctions pending de-
cison in the cases.