We cannot legislate suooly and demand, We cannot create demand by law,
le caamo' legislate orln wages when oeoole ned to obtain work even at low
rages. While distributing work, I have often 7iven beads to men who were
)f the so-callpd "-hite collar" class. I om myself in this starving con-
'ractor business because I cannot get a decent job, and I am quite haroy
Ln it, as it gives me the o-opportunity to earn something for my family.

 The manufacturer faces two dilemmas: to close his factory or trick the
.aw, if the law mrans higher wages, which makes the merchandise cost higher
ind thus becomes not saleable. The worker is auite willing to be victimized
)y the manufacturer and sign any receipt for high wages which he did not
receive, provided he gets something which will give him bread, shelter and
,ome clothing "or his family. A quarter loaf of bread is better than none
-egardless of wages established by law.

 A homeworker, who with the assistance of other members of his family
.an average 6 hours a days work, would be satisfied to earn 20 cents Der
our or $1.20 ner day. 20 cents an hour would make possible for the bag
industryy to live.

 It is well known to you that the homeworkersl wages in 7urooe, Asia,
atin America, etc. are as low as the equivalent of from one to two cents
er hour and naturally bags can be imported from Czechoslovakia in spite of
he high tariff, if the manufacturer here nays 35 p-er hour, provided, of
ourse, that the consumer will buy bags if instead of beinF sold at !1.00 are
old at $1.50. The increase of im-oorts from Jaoan in site of our low dollar
nd high tariff, demonstrated that we are vulnerable as soon as wages enter
nto a cost, and the' same thing will aapoly with Eirooe in regard to bags.

 I honestly believe that wages of 20 to 25, per hour would be fair and
 ould not kill the bag industry,

 Yours truly,



 I am a homeworker on beaded bags working for one of the largest firms
 n the industry. At your request I have called to give yoa the information
 asked for on beaded homework,

 My wife and self just finished 48 dozen of beaded bags. We worked 121
 ours a day each from the hours of 7:00 A. M. to 10:00 P. M., only taking
 I.ht time for meals. We finished these 48 dozen bags' in one week, working a total
 f 75 hours each during the -e-k, ond wn earned $22 for the complete job, or
 1 each. We consider ourselves fast workers.

 We are paid 4 a niece to sew around a complete beaded bag, insert and
 w in linings, and sew on the button fasteners,


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