New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-20
ARE REAL HOMES DYING OUTi
ONE WOMAN THINKS THEY CANNOT BE
KEPT Up UNLESS THE SERVANT
PROBLEM is SOLVED.


To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir read with nteres: and appreciation the let
ter signed Oppressed Housekeepers" in the Only
Woman's Page 1t IL true-every word OF it-and
the suggestions all good But II is so easy to
theorize and so hard TO get enough 10 cooperate
with one 20 carry out the theories. The army OF
incompetents is so large. Another army Of girls
considers itself above the mental labor Of house
work mean the factory girls and typewriters
so many OF whom are. the Oppressed House
keeper" says. keeping our young men and boys out
Of their rightful places. And you cannot teach
the class how to do work properly 0or it
seems determined not 70 learn. and the other
class cannot under any circumstances be made TO
that 1t s not lowered" by going into domestic
service | cannot how the change she speaks OF
Is to be brought about. save In the establishment
OF large institutions FOR the education OF domestic
help just have business colleges law schools
and medical schools for young men.
Isn't this question OF living the most important
one in the world? And can we have properly
nourished bodies II we don't have properly cooked
food. food prepared by intelligent women. who UNI
derstand the hygiene OF cooking and the health
giving properties of certain foods? 1t is a stupen
dous work when considers the material and
how ignorant the majority OF these girls about
what is consistent with the laws OF in cook
Ing. But / thoroughly agree with the writer when
she says that until the class Of domestic work
ers is encouraged as regular organization and
and incompetency. we will have to suffer; for the
girl has the upper hand. she knows that
the demand Is beyond the supply.
This condition OF things is demoraliZing our real
homes and filling up hotels and apartment houses.
for mother cannot be cook. chambermaid seam
stress. and wife and keep her health ana
nerves for many years. How more than thankful
many OF would be II some would come 10
US graduated from a college OF domestic science,
with certificate OF excellence and take charge OF
the culinary department and the catering, We
would then feel perfectly safe. and know that our
health would be protected and our pocketbook
considered. Certainly II would be money In our
pockets 10 pay such a more money than we
do these incompetents who ruin our food. waste
our substance and break our dishes, besides ruin
ing our tempers
| not referring to those servants who retain
their positions In families for years. These are
the good servants" and they do not go round.
We unfortunates who have not one or more OF
these must depend upon the rolling stones. and
that Is most discouraGing 70 any one who tries 10
keep home" and not just house.
II seems 10 me the women in Baltimore are NOV
ing In the right direction. noticed in an article
the only Womans Page. What is the solu-
ton 10 be-
fashion (but delightful fashion, OF home making
a woman make a home with say. two incompetent
servants. husband and two children, doing her
real duty all being a real mother In the dear
old way and still be a member and attendant at
FIVE six different clubs? Can this be done?
doubt II. woman is. after all. only mortal
f. A. F. RANDOLPH
1upe c