New-York tribune., 1899-05-05
THE SERVANT QUESTION.
WHAT AN OPPRESSED HoUsEKEEPER'
THINKS is THE CAUSE OF SOME OF
HER DOMESTIC WOES
To the Editor Of the Tribune.

THINKS is THE CAUSE OF SOME OF
HER DOMESTIC WOES
To the Editor Of the Tribune
Sir: An article on the servant question published
In your paper recently gives the courage 10
write you real woman's letter on this very subject
and TO point out what in my experience find 10 be
some Of the causes of the indisputably bad condi-
tion OF affairs also wish TO make a few eug-
gestions. which others wiser than ] might arrange
and put into working shape.
The demand for servants is larger than the
supply. This. OF course the servants know. and
hence feel their power. which they use unspar-
ingiy. The cry goes up from all over the land for
honest sober, respectable women who have an
ordinary degree OF ability. This cry is unari-
swered. My own especial need is and has been
for the last two months a woman for housework
in family of three adults in a suburb twenty
minutes from New-York. During this time I have
applied at intelligence Offices TO the head OF char
tiles in my town and also 10 the State Labo EN-
ployment Bureau in NewYork City In every case
the answer has been. I'VE have no one for the
work" Some may say houseworkers are always
difficult to procure. I am willing to grant that
but my friends keeping from two to six servants
are all having difficulty. and l mention my case
In detail as know have many fellow-sunerers.
NOW. hardly day goes by without appeal
being made TO us to aid the suffering and unfortu-
rate poor. Am wrong in concluding that there is
a great deal OF misappled charity and If help
be more workers in the field?
do not wish for moment 10 be understood as
decrying charity, but only pleading that il be
Quoted and distributed practical plan and by
practical people. The main idea, far l
gee in many societies and clubs is TO amuse the
poor. Why, II some kindly intentoned people must
do something for them. do they not teach the poor
women 10 be selfsupporting and useful members
OF society. and not fill them with discomfort with
their own station in life? This view, l know. is
not taken by many. An earnest working
among the poor on the East Side said to me that
his mission was to make them dissatisfied with
their lives. He had nothing especially better TO
offer them but said he discomfort is a good
thing 10 arouse"
A club for working girls was started in my town.
A class for plain sewing was formed-at least a
teacher found-but no one applied to enter
the class. The paper flower class crowded and
much good material and time wasted.
Another time a cooking class was started for
the poor (tuition free and teacher was engaged
Again not single poor person could be found who
was willing TO be taught. class Of was
for the privilege of learning The factories, shops
etc, are full OF in many cases undoubtedly under
be asked for them; when their choice Of that life
women do not know enough to be good servants"
Very true. they do not now. but they could be
willing 10 teach But no, the girls prefer the shops
and factories because they have more time TO
nothing (as how should they p Of household cares
and then the poor workingman. weary from his
wife and mother, cheerless thrftless home
Of ss gG1do from m he Oo1 se
fort in the corner saloon. ne is indeed superior
being. We, then. are called upon to help poor
help women who will not help themselves.
OF course there are exceptions to every case, but
!, contend that my statement is true in the ma
jority Of cases. Domestc service is a lucrative
and sheltered occupation for a woman to enter, or
TO be trained TO enter. The objection has been
made that really nice girls do not like to go into
service, as that is only taken up by the scum Of
statement md no dihculty IN believing; Ine Inc
writers etc. Very We'll then let me make a sug-
gestion: What If all men whose mothers, wives
and sisters are suffering from this servant problem.
and who have women in their employ in their
Offices TO f their places with men, would
But women work cheaper than men it is
urged True again, but by causing the supply TO
equal the demand our domestic scale OF wages
would naturally fall TO normal basis, which
young men would find better chances of employ
ment, and the young women living In homes would
selves.
Again would like to suggest that we house
keepers be more loyal to each other For instance,
let Mrs y. avoid taking cook whom Mrs A. has
Let the standard OF wages conform in some de-
gree to the capablity Of the woman and not TO the
employers pocketbook; For Instance, II a woman
who is ca pabie OF cooking thoroughly good din
that woman who is merely plain cook shall re-
ceive but si4 and one who is willing 10 be taught
one more suggestion. Instead of getting up
clubs and societies and attending meetings and
one other charitable schemes let us all learn TO
run our own homes properly. learn. in fact TO
ing places. run in many cases by servants IN this
way would AVOID being in the o condition tna Of
TfuIT Te UuISSineS yours, OPPRESSED HoUsEKEEPER