Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-11
Household Service.


The fact that, in the midst of widespread labor
agitation in which working people are struggling
against constant tendency to reduction OF
wages, one very important labOring class manages
to remain absolute master OF the situation in its
part OF the field Is beginning to attract attention
The favored class is the house servants. No labor
tumultS disturb or diSInay these serene and auto
cratic persons. Strikes may come and strikes may
go without disquieting Them II is all the same to
them whether the latest movement OF the Massa-
chuSeJtS shOemakers, or Of the western Pennsyl-
vania coke-burners, or OF the Chicago meat
packers, succeeds or fails They have the house
skilled workers; as rule they possess less pro-
flciency In their vocation than any other class
OF persons who earn their living by manual
labor They possess no organization; they do
not act In body; they have no grand master or
head center; they hold no conventions and pro-
claim no platforms; they remain aloof from labor
body. Yet they have things their own way in
matters Of wages, hours holidays and subdivision
New York shows that the wages paid to young
women who work in factories, shops and sewing
and out OF this they have to pay rent and board,
and otherwise support themselves. Their wages
are low because the supply OF this kind Of labor is
women and girls TO work in factories than the
trades require for one place half dozen girls will
make application and this sharp and severe COM
petition for places forces them to work for bare
living.
But are they compelled to work in sewing rooms,
there no other field open to them where they can
do better? Yes; there Is a field OF labor where
they can earn 81 80, s. and a week and get their
living beSldeS-d0lneStic Service-but, strange to
say, they have an unconquerabe aversion TO it.
They would rather live in state OF genteel semi
starvation than earn good living and something
over as servants in a private household our
American young men have not more completely
abandoned the mechanical pursuits than our
American young women have forswOrn domestic
service Both are given up to fOreigners-and for
eign girls only take to It while looking out for
IN the land the care Of it's nous actu %S
goes begging, at time when the complaint is
necessarily heard that all other fields OF labor
OverstOcked, and there Is nothing for the con-
stantly increasing army of idlers to do.
1t is very interesting contradiction and fncOn-
sstency in the labor qlestion-this impossibility
households, in the midst Of the very opposite i'm
possibility OF finding work enough for the workers
In all other departments OF life. No remedy for 1t
has been discovered, and it continues to grow
worse every year. The mayor-elect OF New York,
wretched condition OF working women in that
great city, but 1nt1mates very plainly that they
are themselves to blame for it, since there is al
earn good living, but which they refuse to enter
from false pride. 1t is pleaded in behalf OF fallen
peated efforts to make an honest livelihood in the
ordinary female vacations; but the New York
mayOr.elect plainly declares that he has "neither
sympathy nor patience with those who enter upon
life Of shame when the way is constantly open
to them to pursue an honest livelihood" in private
The subject Is one that needs investigation.
Why is it that girls and single women are SO
ayerse to household service and refuse to quality
themselves for 1t? Is it their fault the fault Of
| their mistresses; or the fault OF the way our
households are adjusted? Is is because OF the
want OF cordial relations between the master and
mistress OF the household on one side and the SET
wants on the other7 Whatever be the cause the
evil Is so harassing q one as to warrant DETER
mined and thoroughly fair effort TO ind 1t out that
| 1t may be removed or remedted
Arthur Higgins, OF New Haven, priest OF the
Dominican Order, has received the degree OF the
doctor OF theology from Pope Leo. He is the first
ecclesastfc In this country TO be so honored.
Senator Aldrich, OF Rhode Island, voiced great
truth when he said that ''uhere Is something more
required Of the best citizen than to stay at home
| and growl"
| George W. corwin was arrested In Middletown,