Chicago’s Court for Working Girls
Chicago has given us something new, in the way of a special court for the working girl. The girl who is out of money, or who is dissatisfied with the wages paid her, provided her wages are below $8.00 or $10.00 a week, may come to the judge of this court, where it is said she will have a sympathetic hearing, and help will be given her in her difficulties and perplexities. An effort will be made to find her a new job, where she can get better wages, or, if she is out of employment altogether, to find her a place to work. Social workers are quite enthusiastic over the plan, and of course, as usual, a great many people will point to this as another one of the “great evidences of social progress.” But if we were making such great strides in social progress, why should we be under the necessity of forming such courts? What is the matter with the Christian homes in our country, and the Christian churches in our country, that girls in these destitute or distressing conditions are not taken care of in the proper seclusion and shelter of the home, rather than having to seek a public court for sympathy?