State Federation of Pennsylvania Women

“ It is claimed that women have affected the labor market to the demoralization of wage-rates; that home life has been affected; that marriage has decreased; that divorce is increasing; and that the birth-rate barely exceeds the death-rate. It is both claimed and denied that the economic and social welfare of the country is menaced by this army of women wage-earners.
We feel that sane conclusions can be reached only by having accurate data. It is the facts that are sought through the proposed Government investigation. ”

“ Following a recommendation embodied in the President's message to Congress, the Secretary of Commerce and Labor has asked the Appropriations Committee for a special appropriation to enable a bureau of experts to make a scientific investigation into industrial conditions of women in the United States, This is the first Federal measure to be advocated by the Federated Clubs, and your attention is earnestly directed to the following reasons why the club-women of your State and all other States in the Union are advocating the investigation. ”

“ The United States census of 1900 reports 5,000,000 women engaged in gainful occupations, and of this number 3,000,000 are reported as working in manufacturing establishments.
This influx of women into the industrial field is a social phenomenon that gives rise to many complex questions. ”