The Lowell girls were hired at a time when workers willing to take such
jobs were scarce. The employers gave them pretty good working and living
conditions, although some observers thought their lot was pretty
wretched.
When the economy turns sour, they began to squeeze the girls and then
replace them with Irish workers.
Just as Yoshie says, the alternative was to stay home on the farm with
unremitting work. In the factory, the girls were able to spend their
money the way they wanted.
--
Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA 95929
Tel. 530-898-5321
E-Mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
