that she had worked 16 years in his store and attained a wage of only
$5 a week, he raised it $1. So the wage is supplemented by the girls
(in the store) underpaid themselves, but comprehending the woman's
need.... Thus seventeen years of faithful service to one master has
won for Jennie this position of semi-dependence upon charity,
increasing anxiety over an unprovided-for future, and declining health
as a result of her pitiless struggle to stretch a miserable $5 over
the cost of support of herself and mother.[13]

The most comprehensive report has been made by the Federal Government, and
includes a survey of conditions among women in stores and factories in
seven cities[14]. According to this report the average earnings of the
women in retail stores of these cities is $6.88 in the case of those who
live at home, and $7.89 in the case of those who are "adrift."[15] Among
the factory women of these cities the average wage of those who live at
home is $6.40, and of those who are "adrift," $6.78. The Boston
investigation shows that from 11,000 to 12,000 women and girls were living
in lodging- or boarding-houses at an average cost of $5.18 a week for
prime necessities, leaving only $2.24 for clothing and all other expenses.
The following comment is made on this government report by the
Massachusetts Minimum Wage Commission:--

Although more than half the adrift women (in Boston) live in lodging-
or boarding-houses,--numbering be it remembered between 11,000 and
12,000 girls and women,--two thirds of them lack the use of a
sitting-room and must entertain men as well as women in their
bedrooms. Not a few indications were seen in the course of the
investigation of the demoralizing results of this practice. Many of
the young women in lodgings were young and were friendless and were
earning very low pay. Eighteen per cent of those who were reported