Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 6.djvu/656

 642 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

age, have no business to be at work, and many women who are in poor health or should be free to perform home duties. Yet it is to be hoped that, if such a change is to be wrought, it may be in the nature of an evolution rather than of a revolution, in order that the suffering and wretchedness and hatred that attended the introduction of the factory system through the inventions of Kay, Crompton, Hargreaves, Arkwright, Cartwright, and others, may be avoided. It is further to be hoped that some of these factories may be established in the country, or at least in the outskirts of the city, where sufficient space for air and light will be available. There are surely men with the capital necessary to start large factories of this kind. There are also men with the business ability to carry on such an enterprise successfully.

The other person to be held responsible for the conditions of manufacture is the consumer. It has taken many hard lessons to teach the consumer this ; some of these came in the form of the loss of little children through the wearing of infected clothes ; others came through the contraction of disease by older people ; and the lessons have been learned by some through a mere acquaintance with the facts. For these, simply to see and know the conditions of the workers was enough, with- out any selfish interest or fear. And many there are who have not yet learned the lesson at all.

If those men whose hearts are not of stone would find out before the rush season begins what kinds of suits they wish, and would leave their orders early, some of the hurry of the height of the season might be avoided. The department stores seem to have found a way of avoiding some of their rush with ladies' tailor-made gowns, or at least a way of rewarding patience. In one or two of the best stores, late last spring, placards were noticed, "Ladies' suits made during slack season at half price," or something to that effect. Such a reduction is possible, prob- ably not because of lower wages paid to the tailors, but because there is so little to be done.

The Consumers' League recognizes the responsibility of the consumer. So much has been written and printed of the league that it is not necessary to enter into any lengthy discussion or