New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-27
SERVANT PROBLEM AGAIN.
MRS. SMALLER OFFERS GOOD SOLUTION
TO THE DIFFICULTY.
As PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSEHOLD EcoNoMI

ASSOCIATION SHE APPEALS TO ALL WOMEN
TO HELP THE CAUSE.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: E. A. F. Randolph. in her letter published in
The Tribune recently. asks in substance Whose
fault is It II the old fashion OF home-making Is
dying out. and what is the solution to the domestic
problem AS president OF the New-York State
Household Economic Association and OF the
pioneers in the present movement 10 awaken
women 10 their responsibility in the matter OF a
greater knowledge OF domestic science. and all
that term implies am in constant receipt OF just
such inquiries from a large variety Of correspond
ents. They from the college or school prtnoi-
pal through the philanthroplsts 10 the modest
home-makers whose trials and tribulatlons give
reason to cry out in despair. How long. oh. how
long must we endure this harass and
Generalization OF temper and sweet spirit In the
home?' Several OF these letters before me to
answer. and I would gladly reply 20 them all
through your columns II that were possible. The
letters contain collectively the vital points OF the
great problem now presented TO every woman OF
our land. and would say that It is the fault OF the
housekeeper that we are to-day In such straights.
One Of these letters from the superintendent OF
Western school, asks the following questions:
What the chief obstacles to the practical
complishment OF the purposes OF your organiza-
tom" To which ! answer. Ignorance conser-
vatism. Indifference and msconception on the part
mistress
Domestic Science OF Household Economics mean.
and lack OF schooling training in the proc
esses and labor OF the home on the part OF the
maid we'll the mistress. There is kind
hard TO reform as the ignorant and conservative.
Our hope lies In the generation Mean
while we believe some patching up may be done to
the present one. whose much torn mantel has been
handed down through many generations. Tradition.
habit and social preoccupation form a trio Of
obstacles which confront our efforts every
hand. second question is this: LAS a prob
lem in economics would intelligent domestic
service. by young women Of equal culture,
command compensation equivalent 10 that
ceived by copyists. stenographers and common
grade teachers? II not, why?' To this would
reply that We giving an equivalent COM
pensaton 10 ignorant. unskilied. Indifferent labor;
In fact II seems not 10 be question OF what
degree Of skill is paid for. long labor OF any
kind is given But let the skilled labor be pre-
scented. and how quickly wages increased and
again increased. 10 keep the help at hand. Domes-
tics paid better than any other class OF
female haborers, II we except tho number Of hours
they work and consider that they have no board TO
pay.
should say higher wages than even now
paid would be paid for intelligent. skilled labor.
although II is one OF our aims to improve labor.
wages believing as do. that in light OF
the present scales OF wages the domestic has her
share. The third question is a vital one and dis
closes the rock which our theories are fire.
Quentiy wrecked viz: Are there any reasons in
herent in the nature OF the service. which make
such service less desirable from social point OF
view?' An TO this should be a compre
hensve one but here I can only touch vital
points I should say the one great obstacle which
makes the service undesirable to-day. Is the per
sonar' equation. Remove that along with the
msconception that the service Is mental, and very
high barriers will fall the ground
That there are these barriers no one will deny:
that they are inherent is true; that 1t Will take
evolution. revolution 10 destroy them firmly
believe. think II 70 be moral impossibity TO
Immediately jump into a condition where the con-
duct OF the home be changed as 10 entice
young women following trades into the do
mestic service profession even II should at
once declare II no longer mental. but profession
OF high degree We cannot change the Ieopards
spots. nor change the attitude OF ninety
nine out Of every one hundred mstresses toward
their maids. We are. I believe victims OF tradl-
ton and habit. We cannot metamorphose the
home at once. at a stroke. We must employ
evolution for the betterment OF the home. while
stand by and another sort Of evolution
filing up hotels apartments and the like with
those struggling escape the ordeals OF inefficient
help IN the house. (. a 7. Randolph answers the
problem when she says the establishment OF
large institutions for the education Of domestic
help will solve IL at least partially. But We cai
also evolution must begin al the top mis-
tresses must know themselves the technique OF
houseW0rk ana then they Will demand technical
training Tor their help. II has not yet become
fixed in the average mind that education is the
demand foT suth nsfItutons W. an l6oS * f6 5s
public for help. and while struggling gain atten-
women. we beg that each and all may come forth
and lend helping hand 70 the greatest problem
There is neither time nor space here 90 into
detail. and the above is mere glance at the sub
tect, but there is opportunity for every woman OF
and refuse to make her home the training school
dOmpsfics o
our ranks and declare for schools Of domestic
We have demonstrated this past winter the
cess Of great and much-needed charity, viz.
kitchens. We. found them eager and delighted to
learn and willing to pay the fee Of hye cents
bic wall OF Voc wen, up from all The pupils be,
and had been helped 70 make their poor homes
more ATTRACTIVE by giving decent meal 70 Their
so much nicer since ! know how to keep them
tidy" From these tenements We draw many
10 the ragged garment II Is here We can en-
deavor 10 save the home spirit here 10 help the
homes. good meals and normal appetties Here
in the tenement home while teaching the child az
that oa n coSt,on thrat g'Ie
unkernpt dangerous tenement house" II Is our
fault that the home IS threatened. II We do not
have proved Is a demand in one quarter while it
is for demand schools and classes for all
OF trained help From three 10 SIX months ls
deemed long enough TO give fair training Think
OF II, What a short time before might Be able
70 draw upon such resources. As an organization
National and state we plead for this demand We
stand ready to open schools when women Will
come forth with their subscriptions and help the !
cause by personal effort We went 10 see every
county start It's school. and every woman feel a
nersonal responsibility in the matter We have |
been slow and ethargic few brave and good |
women have been working hard 10 wake up the |
rest Of US Let longer theorze and ask |
questions but be up and doing. and help those I
who ask for II Yours. truly
President Of the New-York State Household Eco !
nomc Association.
New-York City, June d. 1929
DE Ia SALE ACADEMY CLOSES.
A. the commence nent exercises OF De La Sale |