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Neal Hurst
Philadelphia Inquirer
1-17-1862
Page 8
Local Intelligence
U. S. Arsenal – There are now at least five thousand women employed at this establishment upon clothing for the army. In addition to these there are, perhaps, five thousand more working for the Branch Government clothing depots in this city, making ten thousand in all. In addition to these several thousand women are employed here by contractors for the same work. The various contracts soon expiring is the intention of the Government to give out as few more of the kind, in future, as possible, as much as by employing women direct, the latter get better wages and the work is better executed, without extra expense, the contractors profits being thus saved. The average earnings of good sewing women, at Arsenal work, is about 4 dollars weekly. The use of the sewing machine is disapproved of, as work by hand is considered stronger and less likely to rip. It is all, therefore done in the latter manner.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, work is received and given out, and an incessant stream of the softer sex can be seen from eight o’clock in the morning till five o’clock in the evening.
A New York Paper remarks that two hundred thousand knapsack were delivered to the Government during the last month, in addition to former purchases in the previous eight months. Half were made in New York, a Quarter in this city, and the remainder in Newark, N.J. and Wilmington at an average contract price of two dollars each. Some regiments have been supplied by the States with more substantial articles at four dollars and four dollars and fifty cents. These have given employment to many trunk makers, whose usual trade was dull, and many brass founders, stair rod makers, wire drawers, and other working in metal, have devoted themselves to the manufacture of brass trimmings and buckle for knapsacks. The demand for canvas, thread, and paint has stimulated trade in these articles, and it is said that nearly fifteen thousand dollars have been spent in wax alone, for stitching the thread needed in the manufacture of the knapsacks.
The male employees of the United States Arsenal number at present six hundred and twelve.
Neal Hurst
Philadelphia Inquirer
1-17-1862
Page 8
Local Intelligence
U. S. Arsenal – There are now at least five thousand women employed at this establishment upon clothing for the army. In addition to these there are, perhaps, five thousand more working for the Branch Government clothing depots in this city, making ten thousand in all. In addition to these several thousand women are employed here by contractors for the same work. The various contracts soon expiring is the intention of the Government to give out as few more of the kind, in future, as possible, as much as by employing women direct, the latter get better wages and the work is better executed, without extra expense, the contractors profits being thus saved. The average earnings of good sewing women, at Arsenal work, is about 4 dollars weekly. The use of the sewing machine is disapproved of, as work by hand is considered stronger and less likely to rip. It is all, therefore done in the latter manner.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, work is received and given out, and an incessant stream of the softer sex can be seen from eight o’clock in the morning till five o’clock in the evening.
A New York Paper remarks that two hundred thousand knapsack were delivered to the Government during the last month, in addition to former purchases in the previous eight months. Half were made in New York, a Quarter in this city, and the remainder in Newark, N.J. and Wilmington at an average contract price of two dollars each. Some regiments have been supplied by the States with more substantial articles at four dollars and four dollars and fifty cents. These have given employment to many trunk makers, whose usual trade was dull, and many brass founders, stair rod makers, wire drawers, and other working in metal, have devoted themselves to the manufacture of brass trimmings and buckle for knapsacks. The demand for canvas, thread, and paint has stimulated trade in these articles, and it is said that nearly fifteen thousand dollars have been spent in wax alone, for stitching the thread needed in the manufacture of the knapsacks.
The male employees of the United States Arsenal number at present six hundred and twelve.