1893 - State Library Information Center

WOMAN'S WORK AND WAGES. 87book-keepers, domestic servants, laundry workers, schoolteachers, saleswomen and miscellaneous employes in mercantileestablishments.Of the total number of women reporting, 3,176 were born inthe United States, or nearly 82 per cent. Ireland was the birthpJaceof 206; Qreat Britain of 154 ; Qevrnauy of 144, and Italyof 86; the small balance claiming other foreign countries. Thelargest foreign element seems to be among the following: Silkoperatives, 123 out of 330; of those engaged in domestic service,109 out of 250; flax and jute workers, 46 out of 67; electriclamp makers, 87 out of 216.The bulk of the workers comprises young women, their averagepresent age being only 21.8 years. The ages range from 12to 66:Individuals.Under 15 years 10115 to 20 1,50120 to 30 1,855HO to 40 28140 to 50 9450 and over 36That is, 42 per cent, are under 20 years of age and 89 per•cent, under 30. Those employed in domestic service, dressmakingand as railroad car-cleaners seem to constitute the olderworkers.The average of the ages when these women began to work,not necessarily but generally at their respective occupations, is14,9 years; and the range from 5 to 59, for domestic servants.The next widest range is for cotton-mill operatives, from 7 to 50.Both of these are extremes, as will be seen from the classifiedlist, which gives 1,665 individuals who began work under 15years of age; 2,036 from 15 to 20, and only 176 when 20 yearsand over—nearly 43 per cent, under 15 and 96 per cent, under 20years of age. The average number of years at work has beenbut 6.6; the number of individuals who have worked, under 5,being 1,739; from 5 to 10, 1,302; 10 and over, 836.The average daily hours of work are 10J; weekly, 63; whilethe range is from 9 to 15, and frond 57 to 93, respectively. Thisapparently high range is due to a few employments like domestic