The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-17
JOY FOR THE HOUSEMAID.
MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY TACKLES THE
SERVANT GIRL QUESTION.

The Profession of Domestic Service to BE
Elevnted-Noblo Pioneer Work of the
German Housewives Society-Radical
Measures Said to he Under Consideration.
In the intervals between providing suitable
street signs for lampposts and holding UP ap-
proprlatons to the disgust and wrath OF the
Comptroller the Municipal Assembly occa-
sonally gets down into the arena Of action and
struggles with some OF the strenuous prob
lens Of life. There 10 now impending for that
august body a severe mental struggle. for It
has formal committed itself to the servant
girl question and 1t proposes to bring all the
energies OF tho combined Aldermanic intellect
to bear upon this important and far-reaching
subject. To the German Housewives Society
belongs tho honUr OF introducing the topic
into the citys legislative halls. as 1t presented
yesterday q petition requesting that the
Municipal Assembly cause an Investigation
into existing conditions. with view OF better
ing the general surroundings Of hired help,
OF creating between mistress and servant
moro thorough appreciation OF the necessity
and advantage OF mutual interest and OF pro-
tecting each against unfaIrness and injustice.
practiced by one against the other"
The German Housewives Society. as stated
In the petition. has a membership OF over
400. among whom are many well-known and
fessional Life and in Social Circles" and its
purposes are to provide servants for employers
and employers for servants. to advance friend
ly intercourse between the two parties and to
ope-ato a school for cooking and general
homework. 1t also gives prizes to servants
who stay In one place fo- a certain period. but
doesn't give prizes to tho employers who con-
trive to keep the servants In view OF the sue
cess Of its attempts hitherto. the society has
1N-aH To hrNn Ire nd n
it induced Alderman Goodman to present Its
petition. which he did yesterday also Offering
to give the matter consideration. mold public
hearings and mako a report to the board:
This resolution was adopted and the dates OF
the hearings will be dotermine ed and announced
Meanwhile the opportunity OF entering upon
a new sphere OF Aldermanir usefulness has SO
appealed to the city fathers that they spent
considerable time Yesterday afternoon in de-
vising WAYS and means for the accomplish
ment OF the results 30 earnestly desired by the
German Housewives Society. 1t Is alleged by
persons in touch With the Municipal Assembly
that the following resolutions and ordinances
are in process of pre- paration, though the exact
wording and the idehtity'of the sponsors are
not absolutely vouched for:
By Alderman Goodman-Entitled An ordi
nance to elevate the social status OF hired help.
providing that all servants Of the feminine
servant ladies' instead Of servant girls as
hitherto"
nance to diminish the mortality among ser
wants. providing that any attempt to light the
kitchen fire with Kerosene be punishable by
a long term in Potters Field"
BY Alderman Bridges Of Brooklyn-Entitled
An ordinance to.prevent the overworkinS OF
servant girls in the borough Of Brooklyn: pro-
viding that ii shall not he deemed part Of
house servants duty &c prcpel the baby car
riage except in the absence from the city Of
receive a stipulated ratio per hour. not to be
lass than 10 cents.
ByAlderman Gaffney- Entitled An ordinance
to promote desirable social intercourse for the
servant class: providing that the Police Board
keep a roster OF All servant girls on every
block. with their names, ages and descriptions
and upon application that said board issue to
any policeman cards OF Introduction to such
servants whenever desired. such card to be
regarded as a proper substitute for the regular
of introductons.
By Alderman Fleck-"A resolution provid-
ing that a committee OF one he sent to Ger
many for three months. all expenses paid.
and make full report thereon.
BY Alderman Harrington-A resolution pro-
vidinR that a committee OF one he sent TO Ire
land for n similar period and a similar pur-
pose
By Alderman McInness--Ditto to Scotland.
BY Alderman Oatman-Dltto to Coney ISL
BY Alderman Dumphy-A resolution pro-
yiding that all Aldermen not on such COM
mittAes be furnished by the city with properly
In order that they may make a thorough home
study OF the subject.
II is said that much other philanthropic leg
islation on this subject 10 in preparation. and
fully achieved. the solution OF the servant
problem will lie reached by attaining con.
dition Of affairs in which a person OF good
judgment would rather be servant girl than