The Employments of Women: A Cyclopædia of Woman's WorkPenny, Virginia
General
The Employments of Women: A Cyclopædia of Woman's Work
Penny, Virginia
Women -- Employment
=183. Cassimere.= A manufacturer of cassimere in New Hampshire writes:
"We pay mostly by the week, $3.50, working eleven hours a day. We pay
the same to women as men. It requires from two to twelve weeks to learn.
They are paid what they can earn while learning. There is no surplus of
workwomen in this branch of labor. Our girls board in families, and pay
$1.34 per week." A manufacturer in Vermont says: "Twenty women are
employed by me. They are all American or English. They are paid
according to the amount of work they do. Girls that weave make $3,
besides board. Some are paid by the yard, and some by the week. They are
paid as much as men for the same kind of work. It usually takes four
weeks to learn to weave. Learners give their time. Work is performed ten
hours a day all the year. Women prefer factory to housework. They pay
$1.50 per week for board." A manufacturer in New Hampshire writes: "We
pay from $2.50 to $4.50 per week. For the work that women can do in our
establishment, they are worth more than men, as they can work quicker.
Women soon learn to weave, but for the first six months they are not
worth more than half pay. The prospect for future employment is good.
The best seasons for work are spring, summer, and fall. They are usually
employed ten hours a day. We employ none but American women. Some parts
of our business are suitable for women, but we can get boys cheaper.
Board $1.25 per week." B. Brothers, of Proctorsville, Vermont, write:
"We employ from thirty to forty American women in preference to men,
because the work is more suitable for them. Prospects for increase of
employment in this line are very flattering. The women average $2.50 per
week with board. They work twelve hours a day, and can be employed all
the year. They are superior in all respects to men. If they were not, we
should employ men. Their facilities for mental and moral culture are
good. Women are paid less than men, on account of the work being light.
Board $1.50 per week." The Globe Woollen Company (Utica, New York)
write: "Our women, seventy-five in number, earn from $3 to $6 a week,
and are paid both by the piece and week. Men and women work together in
the weaving room. It requires but a few days to learn to weave, although
experience is valuable, both on account of wages and excellence of
production. Mental and physical ability ought to be combined to insure
success. The prospect for future employment is good. Continual
employment is given. Our hands work 12 hours each day, Saturdays 10½.
One fourth are Americans, and they live and dress well. The demand for
labor is good all through the country. There is no part of our business
where women could be advantageously introduced, where not now employed.
The women have all the facilities a city affords for mental and
aesthetic culture."
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