our estimate of a fair house, or one which
under existing conditions is eligible to admission to a white
list."

Preceding this appeal and the public meetings which ensued, came, in
1890, the formation of the Consumers' League, Mrs. Josephine Shaw Lowell
its President. Quiet and inconspicuous as its work has been, the best
retail mercantile houses in New York have accepted its prospectus as
just, and stand now upon the "White List," which numbers all merchants
who seek to deal justly and fairly with their employees. "What
constitutes a Fair House" expresses all the needs and formulates the
most vital demands of the working-woman; and the results already
accomplished speak for themselves. As a guide to other workers, it is
given here in full:--

STANDARD OF A FAIR HOUSE.

+Wages.+

A fair house is one in which equal pay is given for work of equal
value, irrespective of sex. In the departments where women only are
employed, in which the minimum wages are six dollars per week for
experienced adult workers, and fall in few instances below eight
dollars.

In which wages are paid by the week.

In which fines, if imposed, are paid into a fund for the benefit of
the employees.

In which the minimum wages of cash-girls are two dollars per week,
with the same conditions regarding weekly payments and fines.

+Hours.+

A fair house is one in which the hours from eight A.M. to six P.M.
(with three quarters of an hour for lunch) constitute the
working-day, and a general half-holiday is given on one day of each
week during at least two summer months.

In which a vacation of not less than one week is given with pay
during the summer season.

In which all over-time is compensated for.

+Physical Conditions.+

A fair house is one in which work, lunch, and retiring rooms are
apart from each other, and conform in all respects to the present
sanitary laws.

In which the present law regarding the providing of seats for
saleswomen is observed, and the use of seats permitted.

+Other Conditions.+

A fair house is one in which humane and considerate behavior toward
employees is the rule.

In which fidelity and length of service meet with the consideration
which is their due.

In which no children under fourteen years of age are employed.

+Membership.+

The condition of m