Evening star., 1938-01-11
HEARING
CALLED ON PAY IN
B0ARD|NGH0USES
Wage Board Gives Propri-
etors Chance to Air Views.
Expect Lively Debate.
PROGRESS is REPORTED
ON WAITRESS BUDGET
Agreement Reached on 5 Items.
Variance in Allowances Cues.
toned by Employees.

Proprietors of Washingtons numer-
GUS rooning and boarding houses will
be granted special hearing tomorrow
afternoon at o'clock before the Con-
ference Committee Of the Minimum
Wage Board that is still analyZing
budgets for women workers in the ho-
tells, restaurants and allied industries.
1t was decided to meet earlier to
give this group of proprietors or en-
ployers an opportunity to present their
side of the wage problem before fur
ther consideration of budget matters
continued. From earlier indications,
the special hearing will be a lively
one, for the boarding house keepers
are practically unanimous in believing
their help should receive smaller
wage, for instance, than hotel en-
ploye.
The Conference Committee reached
agreement late yesterday on five budget
items. namely, raincoats, rubbers,
handbags, handkerchiefs and trans
portation. After the conference ses-
sion concluded for the day. the board
met and reelected Mrs William Kittle
as chairman and reappointed Miss
Gwen Geach as executive secretary.
In accordance with the minimum
wage law, the board is required to
elect chairman on or before jan
uary 10 of each year. Mrs. Kittle, who
came to Washington some seven years
ago from Wisconsin, has been promi-
nent since in District matters. She is
vice president of the Council of So
cial Agencies and was president Of the
Voteless League of Women Voters in
the District.
Different Rate Questioned.
The Conference Committee tomor-
row will have fairly tough problem
on its hand. 1t will be required to
determine the question: why should
maids be allowed only $3.50 week
for room and board. while kitchen
helpers are allowed SO week?" The
room and board budgets are those pre-
sented by the employer representatives.
1t is the employe spokesmen on the
Conference Committee who want to
know why there should be difference
They are countering with an Sl1
weekly budget for room and board, re-
gardless of the type of employe.
The conference table yesterday took
on the appearance of bargain coun-
ter in department store as employers
and employees handled and questioned
the prices of shoes, uniforms scarfs,
rubbers, handkerchiefs. umbrellas and
other articles put on exhibit.
One item, a $299 pair Of shoes made
in Czechoslovakia, aroused comment.
Looking at the label. Arthur Schoen-
thall, board member for the employers,
asked: do you want us to buy for.
eign shoes?"
Agree on Several Items.
The budget agreements reached were
as follows: Transportation, S125
weekly for passes; rubbers, so cents;
raincoats, $3.95, to serve three years,
or $1.32 per year; handkerchiefs,
dozen at 10 cents each, and hand
bags, So.
The question Of. budgets for self
improvement" aroused more discus
sion and probably less agreement than
any other.
The employers estimated $40 for
mattresses and sl0.50 for kitchen help.
The employees put s35 as a minimum
budget for self-improvement. They
estimated $40 for permanent waves.
sl2 for hair cuts. shampoos. ETC.: $500
for soap and cosmetics, 80 cents for
hairnets {required by the health regu-
lations) and s7.2o for periodicals and
newspapers.