Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 6.djvu/786

 77 2 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

been overlooked; so that stores in which the conditions on the surface seem to be fairly good may be placed on the " white list," when in reality they do not belong there.

But to continue with the investigation. We may begin with the question of hours. What are the number of hours employes are compelled to work ? Do they work on Sundays ? Are they paid for extra time ? Are they given a sufficient period for meals ? Again, are they fined, and, if so, who receives the bene- fits of the accumulated fines ? How much are the fines ? Are they out of proportion to the wages that are paid ? Again, what is the treatment of employes by employers ? Does a sort of civil-service rule exist in the store ? Are people given vaca- tions with pay or without pay ? Do they receive commissions on sales? Again, what is the moral condition of the stores? What is the attitude of employers toward the saleswomen ? What is the standard of living, and how far do the wages go to cover this standard of living ? Are there any temptations sur- rounding the employes of a store that are more notable than those found in other employments ? These and many other questions might be asked, which cannot be ascertained by look- ing around the store for a few hours ; the information, on the other hand, must be secured by careful examination and after the expenditure of considerable time. Hence a consumers' league in order to have the information necessary for its pur- pose should secure the services of a factory inspector, or of some person who has served in that capacity, to do at least part of the work of investigation that it has before it.

At this point the merchant or factory manager may well ask : " What right have you or anybody else to investigate my premises, talk to my employes, and disturb my customers?" None, so long as the laws of the state in reference to the employment of workers are complied with. This is aside from the mark. As pointed out in the beginning, the distinction between producer and consumer is not so great as usually indicated ; both are cooperators in the great problem of production and distribution. Instead of a hostile attitude there should be a friendly one. The Consumers' League says to the merchant and manufacturer :