This is the ninth letter that Ada Nield Chew sent to the Crewe Chronicle on the 28th July 1894.
Sir, — If I may, I should like to give Chronicle readers an account of some rather startling events which took place in the factory in which I work on Friday last. For some time previously there had been distinct and audible rumblings, especially every Friday, when copies of the Chronicle were so much in evidence, but on this particular Friday, sir, the climax was reached, and the storm burst in full fury. I myself was, of course present, and I think I will first give a faithful account of the doings of the day, after which, with your permission, I will comment thereupon, and finally will again address my fellow-workers. You will understand that I am unable to do this in any direct way, only through the medium of the Chronicle. Now for Friday last. We had only been at work about an hour when we became aware that something special was about to happen. In the finishing department tables and chairs were removed to make an open space. The machinists were then fetched from their room, and any of us who were in the tea-room or anywhere else were informed that a meeting was about to be held and were requested to attend forthwith. When we were all duly assembled the manager ascended a kind of platform and proceeded to address us. I listened very keenly, and as nearly as I can give it the address was as follows:
He (the manager) had been desired by the employer, who had visited the factory the previous day, to call that meeting together. He had called it here (in the finishing department) for two reasons: First, because it was more conveniently — and secondly, because arranged — there was more room it was from this room that the necessity for it had arisen. He need not say what had caused the necessity for the meeting — that was well-known to all. Some of them had been with him long enough to remember what sacrifices had been made by the employers in times past for their comfort. However, ‘base insinuations’ and statements had been made by one of the newspapers that profit was being made out of the materials and tea-money. (The manager was here greatly agitated, and the next sentence was very emphatic.) He denied these statements. Not one farthing of profit was being made out of them. However, as a consequence of these ‘base insinuations’ he was desired by the employers to inform them that the tea-room would be closed. A pause was made here, evidently for some expression of opinion by us, but as for the moment we were all quite overcome, strict silence was maintained!
The manager proceeded to tell us that there was a supply of tea in hand, and next week we should have tea as usual without paying, because we had already paid for it. After then the tearoom would be closed. He also desired to inform the late risers that in future they must arrive at eight o’clock or stay out altogether, and no more penny fines would be taken from them. Having now recovered a little some of us found voice and asked what we were to do for dinner if the tea-room was to be closed altogether. And just now I observed one of the persons with whom I made Chronicle readers acquainted mounted on a form, and she being one who dines in the factory at this point was most eloquent. The answer was received that we should all have to suffer for the one who had written the letters, and that we must ‘thank our friend for that’ (meaning the writer of these letters). The manager then dismounted, and the meeting broke up.
Chronicle readers are aware by this time that as a class we are not very far-seeing, and accordingly many of us now proceeded in somewhat strong language to call down all sort of blessings on the head of the unfortunate one who had been the cause of this deprivation. During the morning great excitement was evident everywhere, and I observed congregations of girls assembled at intervals in the machine-room. I, being a finisher, was now too far away to hear what was being said, but I understand chat the object of the meetings was to devise some means of finding out and expelling the wicked girl who had written the letters. I am sorry, but not surprised, to say that I myself several times heard some rather creditable methods of doing this, which were more forcible than elegant proposals. And I think it only justice to say that these disgraceful propositions have not been confined to those of my own sex who are employed in this factory. And I can vouch for the truth of this statement because what I have just hinted at has been said to me — and before this particular Friday. During the morning a petition to have the tea-room remain open was addressed to the employers and submitted for the signatures of those of us who desired to sign. I have no knowledge whether this petition has since been forwarded to the employers. So much for the morning.
Now for the afternoon. A short time only had elapsed when we again became aware of something else in the wind! It transpired that a few brave spirits had arranged to assemble outside the office door (the office is situated midway between the machine and finishing departments) to interview the manager. Their object was to inform him that the tea-money, as was shown in the letters, was not the only grievance possessed by us. There was the ‘favourite’ question to deal with, he was informed, and the unfair way in which the work was distributed; about our having to rise at such unearthly hours to come and stand waiting outside the doors in a morning; and about a few girls, well-known to all of us, having a special gift this way, and as a consequence getting the work every day before we who were of a more sluggish disposition could get chance. Oh! it was an exciting meeting, sir. The two gentlemen who have us in charge were desired to attend, and we closed round these two and the manager, and what some of those plucky girls said would have warmed the hearts of Chronicle readers.
To go into the details of this meeting would, I am afraid take up all the columns of the Chronicle , and good as you are to me, sir, I can hardly expect that, so I shall have to content myself with just quoting one statement made by the manager and giving the results. I am rejoiced to say that the meeting had results of a practical nature. The statement made was follows: The manager knew of two or three girls who were then surrounding him who were in a league, and had all been concerned in the writing of the letters. (I shall have something to say in reply to this statement presently.) Now as to the results. As a preliminary we were informed that if we were not satisfied we had better leave. But this was not our object as we tried to show, and finally the following new rules were made and approved of by us: That in slack times we should stay out a day occasionally while the work accumulated, instead of coming in and wasting so much time, as at present; that turns should not be taken from coming early to the door; that no work should be placed on the table before eight o’clock; that we should take turns in strict order as we placed our work on the table; finally, that if on one day we did not all get served, those who did not should be the first to be served on the following day.
This last rule is worth all the trouble, for it has frequently been our fate — it has to be somebody’s when there is not supply sufficient for all — to get no work one day and then on the next to see some who had some the day before, before me, and yet more , before us. We came back very much flushed and dishevelled — for it was rather a crushing meeting — but triumphant. But that was not the last meeting, sir. We had hardly been seated a minute when we noticed several of the married ladies consulting together, and finally marching off in a body to the meeting-ground. You will not be surprised to hear, sir, that on seeing this we girls could not restrain our laughter, and a hearty outburst was the result. I should like to take this opportunity of assuring the married ladies that we were not laughing in derision, as they seemed to think and naturally resented. But it was not that — the situation was really funny, sir. Well, we girls naturally wanted to hear what the favourites had to say, and the meeting being an open one we accordingly filed off again. We had not now got the front place, and were not near enough to hear everything distinctly, but I heard the manager say with reference to one of the married ladies who is an invalid that he would see that she had in the future what she had had in the past — all the light and best work, and he was sure that she was a very cruel, hard-hearted girl who would grudge this. I did not hear of any other result of the meeting which is of any moment.
And now let me comment on some of the transactions of this eventful day. First with regard to the statement made by the manager which I have quoted above. I desire to inform that gentleman and anybody else whom it may concern that there is not a single girl in the factory or out of it who knows or can prove the identity of the writer of the letters. I take it that nobody can prove I wrote the letters unless l, as the writer, had told them so, and I hereby emphatically declare that no girl or woman in Crewe can say that I have ever done so. Nor have I ever hinted in the slightest degree to any of my fellow-workers that I am the writer. It is therefore impossible that any of them, can have been concerned in the writing of the letters, and what the manager says he ‘knows’ is what he suspects, and is suspicion only. I make this statement as an act of justice to my fellow-workers. I am grieved that suspicion should attach anyone through my agency in writing the letters.
And now as to the meetings and the results arising therefrom. With regard to the sacrifices made by the employers our comfort — have throughout done them full justice in this direction. Now as to the ‘base insinuations’. How can what I have said be construed thus? If you will refer to my letter you will see that I made no assertion whatever that profit was being made out of the materials or tea-money. But I did make the assertion that we had no certain knowledge to the contrary. And I repeat that assertion. The manager has denied this, as I have shown, but you will forgive me if I want more than mere denial — I want proof. I asked for proofs, and they have not been given, and until they are given I must take the liberty to maintain my position. Why should they be withheld? Why not treat us like thinking, reasoning beings and satisfy us on this point? We are not complaining in an uncharitable spirit, but surely we may expect to have a little charity shown us. Why not indulge us and give us proofs?
And now as to the decision come to by the employers to close the tea-room. This will necessarily cause great inconvenience to those who come from a distance and dine in the factory and also to the women pressers, whose work is very laborious and who need refreshment. But, sir, I am entirely at a loss to understand why this drastic measure should be taken at all and certainly do not see how I am responsible for it. I never contemplated being the means of depriving my fellow-workers of comforts to which they have become accustomed; and further, I deny that I am the means, or am the one to whom thanks is due (as stated by the manager) for this deprivation. If my fellow-workers will only exercise a little common sense they will surely see that it is the employers whom they have to thank, and not me. What I said, and shall say, is that we should have liberty such as is enjoyed in other factories, to have tea or not, as we please. Why not show us why this is impossible in our case? And supposing it is to be proved impossible, why not adopt my suggestions both in this case and that of the materials, and show us just how and in what way our money goes?
And now about the fines at the door. I made no comments whatever on that point — I simply stated that such a fine was imposed. I learn, however, that although the weekly contribution to the sick club is one-pence or two-pence, it cannot exist without these fines, and consequently will now cease to exist. I do not know if this is a serious matter at all to us. I suppose if it is it cannot be helped now.
And now as to the afternoon meetings. With the results of the first I am pleased and appreciate, and am grateful to and congratulate the energetic girls who were instrumental in bringing about these results. With regard to the case of invalids, etc., which was discussed at the meeting of married women, I ask Chronicle readers whether, throughout the course of my articles, I did not accord these cases justice and consideration? I declared before, and again declare that we girls do not grudge a fair share or more of the light work in such cases as these. But, sir, that is not what we complained about. What about the ‘favourites’ who have husbands in full employment? Please let us be treated as if we possessed at least a grain of sense.
As a general comment may I say, sir, that though we have been trying to lop off some of the branches, and have succeeded in lopping off one or two, the great root of all the evils the inadequate return for work done day by day — is there, stubborn and unyielding as ever, and about this nothing has been said.
If you can kindly give me space, sir, I will now address my fellow-workers. My fellow-workers: It did my heart good to see some of you last Friday, and stimulated me to persevere in the effort to eradicate as far as possible the evils from which we suffer. I hope great things from you, and I want to show you how we can accomplish great things. We all appreciate even the minor concessions — which are only acts of justice towards us — which you plucky girls obtained for us last Friday. But you know the root is there still. This is the root: The fact that if we work hard 9½ hours a day we are still unable to get enough to maintain ourselves. You know that as a result of the present rate of payment there is not a girl amongst us who, when there is work to do, does not have to work after factory hours. Now we need not do this if we are all resolved not to do so, and set about it in the proper way. And remember that in asking for a fair day’s wage we are only asking for our own — our right. But we shall never get this great evil remedied by asking the manager. The only effective way has been proved to be to ask in a body, with one voice, through an authorised representative, with means at our command to give these appeals weight. Now as I told you before the only way of doing this is to organise ourselves. Don’t you see that we must do this ourselves? That part nobody can do for us. The willing help, Mr. Editor, of the few earnest men who have made it possible for us to organise — have given us the means of doing so — and the sympathy — and sympathy helps — of all the sensible people of Crewe cannot materially benefit us unless we ourselves are willing to do our part.
I am not quite sure, and have not time now to ascertain, but I believe the Co-operative Hall, Market Street, is at our disposal on Tuesday evenings at 7.30, and help will be given us in the way of organising, and our part is to attend and join. I am very glad to be able to tell you that the members of the local branch of the Amalgamated Society of Tailors have met and discussed the position of the tailoresses, and as far as they are concerned have resolved to give us admission to this Society. If the branches in other parts of the country prove themselves as intelligent as that of Crewe and neighbourhood we shall have the protection and help of this powerful organisation. At present we await the decision of other branches. But we need not be idle meanwhile. We can be forming ourselves into a body, and then shall be ready for an existing organisation to take us in. Let me urge upon you therefore, those of you who wish to help in plucking up this root (remember when it is plucked up we shall all reap the benefit) to do your part by attending and joining. I know some of you have already done so. Come again, nevertheless, and help by your countenance those who have not. Come in a body. DO not be afraid. Some of you showed last Friday that there is mettle in you. Come and show it again in this way. Do not be deterred because others are reluctant; probably if you come somebody else will. Do not be deterred because you are thinking of getting married, land therefore you may not reap any direct benefit yourself. Don’t you see that that is rather a selfish way of looking at ‘it, and that if you do not get the benefit (and in an indirect way you will) you will help to confer it on others by joining? In conclusion let me assure you that my object in trying to show how we may set about plucking up this root is that you as well as myself may have the benefit arising therefrom. I would also like to say that I make these remarks to all the tailoresses in Crewe, and not only to those with whom I am myself associated.
I beg you will allow me, sir, to publicly express my heart-felt gratitude to you for the reforms which through the agency of the Chronicle have already taken place, and for the hope of bringing about greater reforms in the future. I should look on it as a favour if you would also let me say that the sensible ones amongst us appreciate thoroughly the powerful aid which you yourself, sir, have given us by your remarks on our grievances.
I remain, sir, yours sincerely,
A Crewe Factory Girl