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147, Wigan Lane, |
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Wigan, |
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November 20th, 1911. |
Dear Sir, |
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With reference to the Coal Mines Bill which will shortly be considered
on Report Stage by the House of Commons, whilst the Bill was before
Committee the following amendment was carried: |
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"No girl or woman other than those employed |
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"on or before the first day of January, 1911, |
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"shall be permitted to be employed above |
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"ground on any Mine, provided always that this |
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"Section shall not apply to any woman who is |
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"engaged in the cleaning of Colliery Offices |
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"or for any other like purpose." |
On behalf of the Pit Brow Women I appeal for your vote and assistance
to defeat the amendment when the same comes before the House. |
Over 5,000 women are engaged in the work which has been proved to
be suitable for them, to be neither detrimental to their health or
morals nor dangerous to their limbs. The women like the work and bitterly
resent this attack on their livelihood. As a class they compare favourable
with any other class of working women, and it will be a great injustice
to the women of the country if Parliament debars them from engaging
in this work. |
May I ask your careful perusal of the enclosed: |
A DESCRIPTION OF THE PIT BROW GIRLS' WORK, and statements made by |
Dr. T. M. ANGIOR, of Wigan, who has a large Colliery Work-people's
Club Practice, extending over twenty-five years; |
Dr. COOKE, of Aspull, who has had over thirty years' experience in
a purely Colliery District; |
Miss MACINTYRE, Matron of the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan,
which receives Indoor and Outdoor Patents from a radius of seven miles
of Wigan, in which area over 2,000 Pit Brow Women are engaged; and |
The Rev. T. F. B. TWEMLOW, Vicar of St. Peter's, Preston, and for
several years Vicar of Abram, in which Township several important
Collieries are situated, and where many women are employed. |
I hope these statements will interest you and enable you to decide
to support the Pit Brow Women's case by your vote and influence. |
I have the honour to be, |
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Your obedient servant, |
| [signature] Sam Wood |
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Ex-Mayor. |
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