The correct answer is B) Owners could play woman and children less than they paid men.
The factor that encouraged mill owners to hire woman and children was that owners could play woman and children less than they paid men.
Women and children were paid less to work in the mills. Owners could save money and exploit the work of women and children. Working conditions in those years were very poor. There were no healthy or clean facilities, and the pay was low. Children could fit in small places when needed. Owners considered women temporary workers to be replaced at any time.
