52 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



sanitation if need be till marriage sets them free. This and other 

 reasons which have kept women wage earners from adopting union ideals 

 in the past are still operative it is true, but the more intelligent are 

 beginning to see the benefits of organization, and are uniting with others 

 of their trade for mutual betterment. Union men have not always 

 been friendly toward unions for women, chiefly for the reason that they 

 feared the acceptance of women into their ranks might militate against 

 increased wage scales. Their attitude has changed, however, and this 

 has had its share in stimulating an interest in organization among 

 even young women workers. 



Many persons interested in social hetterment are now growing 

 sanguine over the possible future of women's unions, owing to certain 

 successes achieved by them in the garment and other trades in recent 

 years. Hitherto the union has flourished most in time of stress. There 

 is inspiration in a fight, and, moreover, a fight is sometimes necessary 

 to overcome injustice. But these working women need, too, the minis- 

 try of peace, and when the unions shall have passed through their mili- 

 tant stage, the women workers will doubtless be the gainers. Union 

 women are now standing shoulder to shoulder in their effort to obtain 

 higher wages, shorter hours and healthful conditions of work. If they 

 have these, they say they can provide themselves with opportunities for 

 education, and recreation, and other desirable things in life. They are 

 fighting for a chance to work, and a chance to live. 



The other form of industrial betterment under discussion is that 

 carried on by more or less philanthropic employers, and through the 

 National Civic Federation called "welfare work." Such work is as 

 varied as the employer's appreciation of needs, or ingenuity in suggest- 

 ing remedies for existing difficulties. With one it may take the form 

 of shower baths, and a system of profit-sharing; with another hot noon- 

 day lunches and dancing classes; while still another may discharge 

 what he considers his duty by providing club rooms for men, and 

 aprons for women. But whatever the method pursued, vastly better 

 physical conditions have resulted. Welfare work has given us model 

 factories, and beautiful surroundings must ever be an incentive to right 

 living. 



Several hundred employers in the United States are carrying on 

 some form of betterment work for their employees, while ten or a dozen 

 stand out prominently for their unusual, even notable, undertakings. 

 In general, welfare work may be said to include : ( 1 ) improved physical 

 conditions; (2) opportunity for rest and recreation; (3) educational 

 work; (4) benefit funds. 



Now each of these things is good in itself, and employees, while as 

 a rule willing to recognize the truth of this, yet are more or less sus- 

 picious of their employers' undertakings. They do not object to the 



