New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-11-26
A GUARANTY FOR GOOD SERVANTS.

WORK OF THE LADIES DIRECIORY-LABORfNG w0
MEN TAUGHT HOUSEHOLD DUTIEs-uOUsEKEEP-
Frs FURNISHED WITH SERVANTS or ANY AGE,
NATIONALITY, OR RELIGION.
In May, 1873 a number of ladies, IN order to
facilitate the procuring of good servants and also to
benefit the working girls OF the country determined u
establish organization by which these ends might be
attained. After several futile efforts. an association
called the Ladies' Directory formed. with Mrs. E
ward Kearney as President. Mrs John c. Hemcyard as
Treasurer, aud Wm Brisbane as Secretary The Cooper
alive Committee includes Mrs. Theodore Irving, Mrs
A. Stewart, Mrs. c. H. Pierce, Mrs. l.. Wlliamese Mrs
Frederick Prime aud Mrs Lewis j.. Delateid OF New
York Mrs. Edward Prime and Mrs. Webster Woodman
of Rverdale; Mrs Hugh y. Camp and Mrs. James Lees
of FOrdham; Mrs George Belts and Mrs. Talbot Oily
phant OF En- glewoOd Drs l.. l.. Belinge and Mrs Cen
ter OF Elizabeth, n. j.; Mrs c. b. Brewster OF RYE;
Mrs william Whittemoro OF staten Island; Mira. wm
l.. Leavitt OF Flushing; Mrs. W. g. verplank Of Fish
Kill and Mrs. g. Gchrist OF Jersey CITY, The Directory
was opened at Broadway and FOrty-1lth.st. and com
prses committee, q reception. and work rooms. an
employment Office, and "A cooking room. Those who
apply for employment are required TO be neatly dressed
aud to give their name. address. nationality, aud re-
oD aud also tho and address OF former employ
II they have written recommendations these are
examined and fled. Circulars arc then sent TO eac OF
the former employers, with postage stamp desiring
all the information that be given respecting the
servants character, time OF service, etc The Object
&c; far Is practicable In each case complete
history Of the applicant. Tho ladies' who Subscribe to
the Directory pay annual fee Of s.. or y for two
months which entities them to the a'sstance OF tho
Directory procuring goyernesses hJusekcepers sales
women, dressmaker laundresscs, cleaners. etc. Tho
applicants pay fee OF IS cents, which sum go"s To the
relief fund They then entitled TO the privileges
Of the Directory for one week. AMI II place
be secured I'm that time they get renewal
for week longer The relief fund il used TO assist
needy girls who out OF employment. If an appi'
cant is unable pay the small fee OF 2j cents, this IL
given to her. aud in some clothes furnished
until employment be obtained On the part OF those
who apply TO the Directory ncatnes, punctulty hon
esty, ciyility sobriety aud fidelity are req nrcd The
investigation OF the character Of the servants Is very
strict None except Trustworthy servants are sent out
or 6OOO furnished by obtained through
the Ladies' Directory I'm only % have there been
any complaints. Ten OF these were for drunkenness
In such nothing Is done unless the totai aos'
nence pledge is signed, aud certificate stating that "
has been signed is furnished Those VINO apply mus,
come neatly dressed. must discard Jewcry aud false
hair and while at service must dress III raco oticb
conformity to these rules Is required CHICO dresses
and white aprons furnished 10y the Directory al
small advance beyond cost. In connection WIN INC
Directory cookngroom has been cstabllshcu,
whcre those who desire may learn by personal
observation the details OF cookery. Lanes Gao ai'o
be instructed IA cOokng either separator o, ia class
lessons for 81 II tucndrd tnat COOKS
should be instructed free OF charge but a. thy pre-
TERED paying 81 year charged, and they have the
privilege Of coming back AZ time for further insiruc-
ton The design is 10 leach plain economical cooking.
A French cook is employed, and three grad, OF COOKS
are furnished by the Directory. The articles cooked are
sold aud cooking will be done Tor families servants
have been furnished ~ families not only IN New YORK
and vicinity, but also have been sent To ADdnb DE-
troit Norfolk Va and Florida. II lady sub-cfibes 10
the Directory aud does not procure such 'TFdHt a.
She desires her money will be refunded. u Eorriee-
cnces furnished with the applc1lOD, ma lauy Is
satisfied with girls appearance, Sle may t'h' hrI "h
her rcspon sbhty, and when tine Iccf'"re i -
ceiyed duplicate Is forwarded to her A. may - l'j
servants have applied to the Directory IA angle da'
| Country places now much In demand thh many
| women with children are sent To famlh1A Ia 80"
| country. In connection with the Dht',Ofy IL u
| proposed TO establish Home AMI tD"'aes'ht
House for sick. infru, and worn out htiNtht' tith
servant belonging 10 the Directory gives 81 year Il"
ward this object, ani the managers nope '1ti ."Ds,
lions Will DO received u tuthef TINS lrl Ai"s ~ -
hoped that this HON. may be OpeUed ti. nintrr Bf.
]. r. Metcaf viii b. of the director u ii' nome
Is also desired that the cooperation OF .ii' IN F'ti-
Gus parts OF tho cry who ar aclut ,hl 81 ia ~
deserving poor may be- obtained, In ord ti.t employ
mout may gtycI 10 "a many rs possible. lI' Lth's'
Protective Union and Directory - not ai in''iI-cIt"
Office. IL Oniy gives Information .atho - ser
wants, but cOmpcls them Ia cOLio IN 10 - - ana
assists them In other ways girls ioi -iuc 'use n
soon De started. The Directory J. n'thrr a
charita le nor money -maK.g concern. oar
ing the eighteen months since IL esq 'nli'.-
times as much the receipts. the nIu.- 10 ccsife
ladies procure servants from the Drrct"r, 20 gNe
information REGARDING atTNluf Wlcu
appied TO- g. extend the knOwiedSc or to- Directory
servants that interest j. felt In thc, uHh 20 pay $50
annual subscription ~ So aud secure TIE uif" OF ole
taiung IL capacity AL tie rants sent
promised 81 eady employ incnt ana improvement
that in striving 10 "D Hiu III ~ VIII ho
appreciated aud sustained ~ CHRISTIAN cJ." Gnit,
No attention f. paid to church creed o. nat"Hihy h'
the Directory helps all VINO are Willis 10 u'ip tueu''