Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 6.djvu/638

 624 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

1. Wages to remain the same as at present for three years.

2. No demand for a back-shop to be made for two years, but any mem- ber of the exchange can put in such a shop if he chooses.

3. If in the third year two-thirds of the men in any one shop demand a back-shop, it will be put in, and those who desire to work elsewhere than in the back-shop may do so.

4. Any tailor now employed by members of the exchange may continue in his work whether or not he is a member of the union.

5. All fines and penalties assessed against members of either body grow- ing out of the lockout are suspended.

6. February i, preceding the expiration of the contract, the union shall state if the contract shall continue.

7. If the union is unable to secure skilled workmen, the boss shall do so anywhere he can.

8. All controversies shall be referred to a standing conference committee composed of three members each of the union and exchange. 1

Many of the tailors were far from satisfied with this settlement. Although many of the employers may soon introduce the back- shop of their own accord, the tailors feel that it is putting its universal introduction too far in the future.

One feature of the sweating system that deserves some atten- tion is the general diffusion of the goods throughout the country. In order to get at the extent of this distribution an inquiry was made into the character of the goods sold in a country town in Illinois 150 miles from Chicago. In the first store only overalls, working shirts, and jackets were kept. They were bought from J. N. Ward & Co., Peoria, 111,, who own a factory equipped with steam-power. The girls make from $5 to $9 per week at piece work, but are required to pay 5 cents per day for the steam- power. The next merchant who was questioned, one who keeps a low grade of goods, denied outright that he kept any sweat- shop goods, and added that what he knew of sweat-shops was favorable to them.

Another merchant, in answer to the questions whether he knew anything of the conditions under which his goods were made, and whether in steam factories, small shops, or tenements, said : " I suppose in all, but I try to get goods that are made out- side of sweat-shops." To illustrate the prices at which it is

1 Chicago Record, April 17, 1900.