New-York tribune., 1898-12-11


that the preceding one was lost. If a bad Char
acter" has been inscribed servants may claim
a new book. il they can prove that for two
years since the time it was given their conduct
has been irrcproachable
Another means Of protecting employers against
undesirable servants Is found in the regulations
Tor managers Of intelligence offices. These an
nounce to the police their intention OF opening
such bureau The police then make invesiga-
lions concerning them. and satisfy themselves
that they are proper persons to conduct such
an establishment: if on investigation they
ma them unqualified for an enterprise Of
TINS Kind they refuse their permission. Per-
mission granted, however. servant mediators."
as the Germans call them are obliged TO inform
themselves regarding those who wish 10 OBJ
tain places through them taking special to
ascertain that all the police regulations have
been observed by them They are also obliged
to state the qualifications OF the servants in
their charge conscentiously; if they recommend
any one against their better knowledge juds
ment. and it can be proved against them. they
are personally responsible for damage done if
the servant is unable to indemnify his or her
employer Whether the result Of their dishonest
recommendation has been disastrous 0r not. II
complaint is brought against them they are
fined for the first offence from 50 80 to 81 10.
and in Of a repetition of the act the per-
mission TO ply their trade is revoked.
THE TERM OF ENGAGEMENT.
IN hiring servants in Germany. unless special
arrangements are made. they are understood to
be engaged by the quarter. and six weeks'
notice is legally required on both sides. In order
to clinch the contract. and in default Of a writ
ten agreement. the servant receives 'miethS-
thaler." or "hirc1ollar." equal TO 20 cents
curious provision is made however. in this CON
nection. at least by the Prussian law. which
stipulates that if between the day when the girl
was formally hired and the day when she IL to
enter the situation she has an opportunity to
marry, even though the mi, hslhaler" be given.
the contract is null and void Servants engaged
by the quarter and already in service are also
allowed to break their contract. although not
without short notice. II they have chance to
marry set up in business.
When a servant is engaged by the month two
weeks notice is necessary on both sides, to be
given the 18th of the month. before II
O'Clock in the morning. quarter Of an hour be
yond this time it would have no effect.
1t Is only within the last two years that there
has been any intimaton of n servant problem In
Germany. Up 10 this time the market was so
overcrowded that maids especially could not
afford to be too fastidious in regard TO the work
required or the arrangements made for them
The stream Of girls from the country has now
been warned against coming into the cities by
the police and instead is turning toward the
factories while girls who formerly were content
to be cooks now leave good places in order 10
hire out by the day as 'aushulften. or helps De-
cause Of the greater liberty to be enjoyed IN TINS
way. Although these changes are felt. the difii-
cultjes here. in comparison with American con-
ditions are ncOnsderable. The average COOK or
maid of-all-work is content with a wage of 50
a month while a housemaid usually receives
from S. - to 81 30 A very experienced cook
"eine perfekte k0chin." as she would probably
dub herself may draw 81 80 month. Such
wages are however. comparatively rare
But it is not only in regard to remuneration
that German domestics are less exacting than
their American cousins and cousins in America
In every Berlin fat and flats are used here al
most exclusively there is little room, gener-
ally above the bathroom and only half as high
an the other apartments. called the "hauge-
N.o6en or loft In the newer houses a narrow
stairway is provided for the ascent to this
cIoset but i'm many Of the older buildings it Is
reached by a ladder. This since time immemo-
rial has been the bedroom Of the servants and
a is only within the last few years that the
beaIth officers have required that they be pro-
vided with windows if used as sleeping rooms.
The bedding for the domestic is. almost without
exception of checked cotton material, usually
red and white: pure white sheets and pillow
cases being reserved for the 'herrschaft." e..
employing classes or gentry
THE TIPPING SYSTEM.
Although wages are low it is always expected
that they will be supplemented by fees and