BRITTLE BOOK This item is extremely fragile, please handle with care. If you need a photocopy, please ask Circulation for information. Return the book to Circulation when finished. Thank you. Hillllllllllllllllllllllllllllldlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll-IIKIUIIII^ I C1.3 S Trinity College Library 1 Durham, N. C. j RecM 7HA rnlllllllllll mill ri|ll||l||l|ll|l:l'!|ll|il|!'« I I I I I I I I I I I lllllllll Hr ••A A Living Wage for Working Women of the Post-War World: ONE ESSENTIAL FACTOR IN RECONSTRUCTION MINIMUM WAGE LAWS IN EVERY STATE September, 1918. Minimum Wage Law for the District of Columbia Signed by President Wilson. November, 1918. Resolution of the Associated Merchants and Manufac- turers of New York State: “We Favor the Creation of a State Minimum Wage Commission.” HD 6061.2 .116 L 585 1919 (TV 3 ¥ https://archive.org/details/livingwageforwor01nati Why 1919 is the Year for Minimum Wage Legislation: (a) Because investigation shows that while wages have been sen- sationally high in some wartime industries, the compensation of women in other occupations has been wholly insufficient to balance the vastly increased cost of living. (b) Because the experience of the modern world has been that wages fall after war, while prices continue high. (c) Because over forty State Legislatures will be in session in 1919. Cost of Living Constantly Climbing: Per Cent, of Increase in Retail Prices, August, 1918, Above De- cember, 1914.f Food Clothing All Items Baltimore 83. 111. 80. Boston 61. 118. 65. Buffalo 59. 89. 56. Chicago 69. 107. 64. Cleveland 48. 70. 46. Detroit 56. 84. 58. Norfolk, Va. 78. 99. 74. New York City 65. 103. 62. Philadelphia 54. 108. 67. Portland, Me. 68. 85. 62. Some Typical Wages of Working Women: Even in wartime, when the cost of living was constantly climb- ing, recent investigations have shown the following significant fig- ures : Yearly Washington* Baltimore Under $300 22% 15% Under $400 46% 48% Under $500 64% 84% W eekly Under $ 8. 39% 31% Under $ 9. 53% 65% Under $ 10. 60% 76% fMonthly Review, U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, October, 1918, Pp. 112-119. Decimals dropped. *Monthly Review of the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, February 1918, based on a study of 600 working women. **Report on 100 Wage Earning Girls and Women in Baltimore. National Consumers’ League May, 1918. 4 What Business Men Think of Minimum Wage Legislation: Testimony of Mr. Edward A. Filene of Boston before the U. S. Senate and House Committees on the minimum wage bill for the District of Columbia, April 1918 : “We have had the minimum wage in our concern since March 1, 1912, and the important thing about it is that, relatively, the cost of the wages as compared with other costs of running the business has not increased, but on the contrary, has decreased . . . We have found that there was an enormous advantage in adopting the minimum wage. . . . It is not a question of philanthropy; it is a question of good business. We can easily get a reasonable response out of any girl who is well and who is free from the daily worries. A decent wage, then, seems to us the basis of intelligent work, and we feel that the minimum wage merely provides the machinery by which joint action is secured on the part of all in a trade.” Of this testimony, the Report of the U. S. Senate Committee said: “The favorable opinion expressed by the employers in the District of Columbia was confirmed by the testimony of a prominent Boston employer, Mr. A. Filene, whose firm owns one of the largest specialty houses in the world, employing 3,000 workers and doing a business of $14,000,000 per yerr. This firm has had a minimum wage in operation during the p<..st six years. The results of their experience are typical of gen- eral and world-wide experience with the working of a minimum wage. The payment of higher wages has stimulated the efficiency of both the management and the workers. It has resulted in improvements in organization and in methods of training em- ployees on the part of the management, while with higher wages the employees have improved in health and intelli- gence.” Testimony of Mr. Charles J. Columbus, Secretary of the Mer- chants and Manufacturers Association of the District of Columbia : “We like the commission plan; we like this form of arbitration, so to speak; we like this method whereby, as con- ditions change, either side can go to this commission and seek 5 a rearrangement of the wage scale — that is, a minimum. . . . I come here this morning to tell you that the Merchants and Manufacturers Association is absolutely unopposed to this legislation and favors it.” Of this statement of an important Employers Association the Senate Committee said: ‘ ‘ Their approval means that such legislation is recognized as being based on sound business principles, because it makes for a more efficient and more contented labor force. It also protects the fair and enlightened employer from underbidding competitors.” Why Minimum Wage Legislation is not an Experiment: Spread of the Movement. The Report of the Senate Committee states : “This is not a new or revolutionary measure. Laws of this character have been in effect in the United States as well as in England and Australia long enough to prove their effects in actual practice. Within the past six years 12 States in dif- ferent parts of the country have enacted minimum- wage laws: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Kansas, Massa- chusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.* “Brief History of the Acts. Australasia: “The first law embodying the principle of the minimum wage was enacted in New Zealand 25 years ago. From there it spread gradually to the other Australian States, and was adopted by the Australian Commonwealth in 1904 for disagree- ments extending beyond State lines. “In 1896 Victoria, the largest industrial State of Australia, passed the first act providing special boards to fix minimum wages in different trades. Beginning with a few sweated in- dustries, the movement has grown by successive special acts *In September 1918, the District of Columbia minimum wage law was passed by Con- gress. 6 until, in 1916, there were almost 150 trades or occupations in which minimum wages were set by special wage boards. Great Britain: “The same general plan was followed by Great Britain in the trade boards act of 1909. Experience there has been similar to that of Victoria, the successful operation of the mini- mum-wage system in the first four industries scheduled lead- ing to the inclusion of four additional trades in 1913, and to the official proposal to include additional trades at this time. ( i . e., April 1918.) “Such an extension of the minimum-wage system, as a war measure, at a highly critical period of the war, speaks louder than words. In the opinion of thoughtful statesmen in Eng- land this legislation is to be extended, because it has proved its value, and, in a word, it works.” ‘ ‘ Success of the Acts : “ Minimum- wage legislation has been on trial both in this country and abroad long enough to disprove the fears enter- tained as to its operation. It has been asserted, for instance, that the setting of a minimum wage would lead to a general levelling of wages, so that the minimum would become the maximum. But special investigations have proved that after the minimum was set, the percentage of women receiving a higher rate remained the same as before or even increased. The expectation that costs would be greatly increased has likewise proved ill-founded.” What Becomes of the Workers Who Cannot Earn the Legal Minimum Wage? On this point the Senate Report says : “The fear has often been expressed that if higher wages are paid only the most efficient workers will be kept and the others dismissed. The experience of the Filene firm disproves this fear. Working girls when better paid have responded to intelligent management and have improved sufficiently to be able to earn the increased wage. Higher pay has therefore not led to any wholesale dismissal.” 7 What the Courts Have Said: In April 1917, the Supreme Court of the United States, de- clared the Oregon Minimum* Wage law constitutional. Following this decision, the Supreme Court of Minnesota in December, 1917, upheld the constitutionality of the Minnesota law and in September, 1918, the Supreme Court of Massachusetts up- held the Massachusetts statute. Why Is Legislation Needed? Three Ways are Suggested for Raising Women’s Wages : 1. — The voluntary action of the employers. This method has so far failed to insure living wages to a large percentage of workers. There are no standards by which wages are fixed. 2. — The organization of the workers. In many low-paid occupations, women workers have not suc- ceeded in forming effective organizations. 3. — Legislation. This method has proved the only way to guarantee a living wage to workers, especially in unorganized trades. What the Best Minimum Wage Laws Provide: What to Copy : The best laws provide for a permanent wage commission, with subordinate wage boards for separate trades or occupations. These boards consist of representatives of employers, employees, and of the general public. After careful investigation of the cost of living, such boards recommend to the Commission minimum wage rates to meet the necessities of life and to maintain health and wel- fare. The Commission then, after public hearings, promulgates the legal minimum rates. This procedure has been adopted in substance by eight states and the District of Columbia, and should be followed in all subse- quent legislation. What to Avoid : The laws of Massachusetts and Nebraska provide that the rulings of the Commission shall be only recommendatory. In 8 practice this does not make for uniform enforcement of the law and all future minimum wage statutes should be compulsory, as they are in all other states. The laws of Utah and Arkansas should not be followed in pro- viding a flat rate per day for all employments, instead of having rates set by the separate wage hoards, based on the cost of living in a given locality. This is obviously a more elastic and fairer system of setting rates. How the Minimum Wage Works in Practice: Summary of Most Important Decrees. The most inclusive rates have been set in California, Wash- ington, Oregon, Kansas and Massachusetts. California. In California, the minimum rates in the industry employing most women in the state, that is fruit and vegetable canning, were raised in May, 1918. Fruit and Vegetable Canning : For experienced women (i. e. after 3 weeks’ employment) on time work, not less than 20 cents per hour; inexperienced women and minors not less than 16 cents per hour. Piece rates for preparing different fruits range from 121^ cents to 50 cents per 100 pounds ; lower rates specified for smaller amounts. In preparing tomatoes, rates are set per 12 quarts. For adult women, work over 8 hours in any one day or over six days in one week to be paid not less than one and a quarter times regular rate ; work over 12 hours in any 24, to be paid not less than double regular time or piece rates. Minors may not be employed more than 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week. Fruit and Vegetable Packing: $10 per week for experienced work- ers, $8 for inexperienced workers. Pay for over 8 hours or 6 days, same as above. Mercantile Establishments : Ranging from $6 to $10 per week according to age and experience. Special rates for learners under 18 years, between 18 and 20 years and over 20 years; women deemed ex- perienced after employment ranging from eighteen months to two years, according to age. Fish Camming Industry. $10 per week of 48 hours for adult wo- men or minors. If employed less than 48 hours, not less than 25 cents 9 per hour. Work over 8 hours in one day to be paid not less than one and a quarter times the rate paid during regular time; work on seventh consecutive day in one week to be paid not less than one and a half times rate paid during regular time. Minors may not be employed more than 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week. Laundry and Dry Cleaning: Ranging from $8 to $10; women deemed experienced after 18 months. General and Professional Offices : Ranging from $7 to $10 ; women deemed experienced after employment ranging from one year to 18 months, according to age. Unskilled and Unclassified Occupations: $9.60 for a 48 hour week or 20 cents per hour for experienced women (i. e. after 3 weeks em- ployment) ; $7.50 for a 48 hour week or 16 cents per hour for inexper- ienced women or minors. Manufacturing: $10 for a 48 hour week or 25 cents per hour for less than 48 hours for experienced women or minors; $7.50 to $9 for a 48 hour week or 20 cents to 23 cents per hour for less than 48 hours for learners, according to age and experience. Workers deemed ex- perienced after employment ranging from 6 to 9 months, according to age. Special rate per hour for women employed on home work. Oregon. In Oregon, minimum rates were raised in June, 1918. Mercantile Establishments : $11.10 for a 50 hour week in the city of Portland or a 54 hour week in the rest of the state. Manufacturing ; Personal Service, Public Housekeeping, Telephone or Telegraph Establishments ; and Laundries : $11.61 for a 54 hour week. Office Work: $48 a month for a 51 hour week in the city of Portland or a 54 hour week in the rest of the state. Time and a half for over time. Adult apprentices, ranging from $7.20 a week to $9.60 at the end of 8 months to 1 year, which is the longest term of apprenticeship. For minors three months counts as one in the apprenticeship of an adult. When 18, if experienced, workers must receive minimum adult wage. 10 Washington. In Washington, minimum rates were raised in September, 1918, effective November, 1918. Any Occupation, Trade, or Industry: $13.20 during the period of the war. Previous rates were as follows: Factories: $8.90 per week for experienced workers over 18 years, $6 under 18 years. Mercantile Establishments : Ranging from $6 to $10 per week, ac- cording to age and experience. Laundries and Dye-works: Ranging from $6 to $9. Telegraph and Telephone Service: Ranging from $6 to $9. Office Work: Ranging from $6 to $10. Hotel, Restaurant and Lunch Room Workers (except Waitresses) : $7.50 per week if over 18. Detailed rulings govern the minimum pay of apprentices. In No- vember, 1917, the minimum rates for minors between 16 and 18 years were raised from $6 to $7 in various of these occupations. Kansas. In Kansas, the first wage rulings became effective in 1918. Mercantile Establishments : $8.50 per week for experienced women. Apprentices, $6 for the first 6 months and $7 for the second 6 months, after which they are deemed experienced workers. Minors, $5 per week, rising to $5.50 after the first 6 months and $6 after one year. Laundries: $8.50 for a 54 hour week for experienced women. Workers deemed experienced after 6 months. $6.50 for learners. Telephone Operators: $7 to $9 for a 48 hour week after one year’s service, according to the size of the city. Ranging from $6 to $8 dur- ing the first year. Factories (Proposed) : $11 for a 48 hour week for experienced women. Deemed experienced after 6 months. $7 to $9 for learners according to experience. 11 Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, minimum rates were set for the following indus- tries in 1918: Wien’s Clothing and Raincoat Factories: $9 per week for exper- ienced women of ordinary ability 18 or over. Workers deemed ex- perienced after one year. Wien’s Furnishings Factories: $9 per week for experienced women of ordinary ability. Deemed experienced after 52 weeks. Wluslin Underwear, Petticoat, Apron, Kimono, Women’s Neckwear and Children’s Clothing Occupation: $9 per week for experienced employees of ordinary ability 18 or over. Deemed experienced after 52 weeks in needle trades, 26 weeks of which have been in the fac- tory in which the worker is for the time being employed. Retail Wlillinery Occupation: $10 per week for experienced em- ployees of ordinary ability 19 or over. Deemed experienced after 4 seasons. Special rates are set for inexperienced workers. The following industries were covered by minimum wage rates be- fore 1918: Brush Industry, Laundry, Retail Stores, Women’s Cloth- ing Factories. In addition to the rates briefly summarized above, most of the states have special regulations governing issuance of licenses to per- sons crippled by age or otherwise, who may be paid less than the mini- mum rate. In various state licenses are required permitting lower wages for apprentices or learners. In order to guard against under- cutting the legal rate, the proportion of such apprentices or learners to the total number of workers is usually limited. NATIONAL CONSUMERS’ LEAGUE 289 FOURTH AVENUE NEW YORK CITY Date Due $ZSfr6S600CI sauBjqn ZjiSJSAiun Q^nQ