The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-02-03
DOMESTIC SERVICE.
Miss K. B. Davis Deals With
This Vexed Question From
Various Points of View.
HOW IT AFFECTS THE EASTERN CITIES
A Comparison Of Wages-To Make
Cold Meat Palatable-Rachel's
Recipe for AwkWardness.

|
Miss Katharine Bement Davis gave
recently at the Drexel Institute in Phila-
deiphia the last lecture but one in the
course on household economies that has
proved not only of interest, but OF value
to her hearers. The topic for the talk
was Domestic Service which is, as
Miss Davis stated. one of the burning
questions of the lay.
she gave interesting statistics showing
what per cent. Of the entire population
OF the United States was employed in
domestic service, the percentage of ma
tive born and of foreign or immigrant
servants and in which States the largest
number were employed. The States hay
ing our largest cities within their bord-
ers showed the largest percentage of
domestics, with the agricultural States
showing the smallest. There is a some
what Extraordinarily large percentage
shown in the Pacific and Southern
States. accounted for by the cheap
Chinese labor in the one. instance and
the colored in the other. OF the entire
population of the United States, accord
ing to the census of 1880, the last census
not being yet completed as to the figures
bearing upon this topic, a little over 2
~ SSHes ICh5aSSo II NOIllCSllC BEL
vice, and of these only % per cent. were
foreign born. The fact of domestic SER
vice falling into disrepute in this country
was then taken up.
She contrasted our conditions with
those of England. giving a short review
of the history of domestic service in
this country. The decidedly easier con-
ditions which this problem presents to
o111r Ernu1ich o1,,ci,e o,.r;, 49, ~~1o1,3r
accounted for by the fixed class lines
which prevail in that country to the less
restless spirit of the average English
aid and also to the chance of promo,
ton, which, step by step, is so common
there. In contrasting the rates of wages
paid there with the rates presented re-
Gently by the Civic Club to its members
for their consideration with a view to
their adoption, it is interesting to note
that the chedule here is from $3.50 to
81 per week, while in England, f2O to
ESQ a year, or about 50 per week, are
good wages for a moderately expert
cook. the same difference holding good
IN the matter of housemaids, mattresses,
ETC. OF course, this is in some degree
explained by the fact that 1t costs less
to live there, their wants are simple and
their dress cheaper.
Miss Davis mex took up the qualifca-
lions for a good mistress, which she
thinks quite as important as the uuali-
f~ications for a good servant. Speaking
OF the necessity for thorough practical,
as well as theoretic knowledge, as to
how work should be done, she praised
the methods of the Drexel Institute and
Of its sister, the Pratt institute, of
Brooklyn. Added to these qualifications.
the mistress should possess great execu-
tive ability. good judgment and self
control.
Qualifications for a good servant con-
sist in a practical knowledge of the de-
taiiS OF her. work, neatness, quickness
ana also self-control. If these conditions
mald IS an ideal one. AS it is almost
needless to state. they do not. Miss Davis
u fss esSditi several n tb STEPS leading to a bet
The first of these reform measures
SPOKEN OF was the plan of the Women's
Buffalo,. who advocate the employment
Of regular business methods, such as ex-
lst between men and their employees. AS
drawn up and signed by both mistress
and maid, in which the length of time
q the contract Should be clearly stated,
were to be paid, what was to be done in
case ct Illness. what time the maid was
" udsc lCF HERSELF, ana IN Iact every de-
tail absolutely specified. This contract
should be as carefully lived up to as any
other serious business partnership. The
work should be systematized as much.
as possible. A carefully planned schedule
Of work was an aid they recommend,
and also the giving of a receipt for
wages paid. etc, was commended. In
fact. anything hat tends toward the dig
nifying. of domestic service, these women
ADVOCATE as a step in the right direction.
Miss Davis took up the proft-sharing
plan Of Professor Lucy Ta1Inan, of Vas
practicable where one maid was kept;
also cooperative housekeeping, which at
the present time presents the difficulty
OF being rather expensive.
She concluded her talk by saying
Reform usually begins at the top; that
is, a movement for better domestic SER
vice must be initiated by the more edu-
Gated and intelligent class of a commu-
nifty, SO do all you can to helm in the
good time coming but do not forget
that until you have perfect mistresses
you have no right to expect. perfect SER
ants