New-York tribune., 1900-07-09
DOMESTIC HELP PROBLEM
SCOPE OF MISS GAIL LAUGHLIN'S IN
NESIIGATION IN THE INDUSTRIAL
COMMISSION OUTLINED.

The work outlined for Miss Gail Laughltn of this
city lately appointed by the United States Indus
ulaI Commission TO investigate the servant prob
Ieil' VIII be OF e unique character. The appoint
ment OF woman upon the Industrial Commission
was urged when the Board was first named by
president Mckinley. and it was hoped that ne
would see his way clear naming some woman OF
->a-ohaL reputation one of the Commissioners
put this he did not do, and now the Commission
lIsel' desiring specific Information on a certain
problem in its relation other industries has bv
resolution Of the Board created the position which
II subsequently, selected Miss LaughIin to fill.
-Four months is the time given Miss Laughlin In
"Hlch 10 make her Investigations and submit re-
port to the Commission and during that period
carte blanche is given to her go over the country
seeA'ls such information as she deems available
Tor the Commission TO act upon. Before starting
Out II Is expected that Miss Laughn will submit
the plans upon which she will base her investiga-
ton to the Board of Commissioners and after ap-
proval by them and with such further suggestions
as they may deem wise to add she will begin the
work.
In its scope her subject is much broader than the
-t TuC4 Il nlooteQ question of mistress and servant
lnyestgate relations as between individuals. The
~ ~MUlI-al! WIN one two or three maids will not be
Laughln, except in so far all good work per
era! system as 10 hours OF labor and kinds of
line Of industries looked afeT nv. ne | " t CLIe
a1d Il raa551as - - ei ~ me me 1oILLllss-qI
which servants work because Of lack of organiza-
uon such as Is found in other industries. II is TO
remedy TINS present lack Of protection for domestic
help that the investigation VIII be made
IN pursuance OF her plans Miss Laughlin will
nave the cooperation of the Household Economic
Associations and all other associations which have
looked INTO the problem at all. a special field
close observation VIII ne the many employment
agencies scattered through The large cities and
winch are frequently mere traps catch the un-
wary employer as well as the employe. Miss
1-alglIln vii make report TO the Commission
10 whether IN her judgment II would be well
require such agencies TO be regularly chartered
thereby making them live up to certain require
nlenLs, or whether under charter such agencies
could be consolidated into one SeneraI exchange
pQrtunlty TO secure what each wants The hours
CT labor. the surroundings TO sanitation and
comfort are the main points upon which the Com
mission bases its invest tiOu. wishing
e schedule as TO time and conditions and
IoLnQlngS similar TO those required in other
nueS OF industry
The Commission expects 70 be able TO place the
servant problem on plane that il has never be
fore reached. L Will also endeavOr afford
needed protection to the thousands of and
women who spend their lives in domestic service
lnere has been no appointment of women other
than Miss LaughC for this work Of inVestiga ton
When seen by Tribune reporter Miss Laughn
that Of expert agent. and am expected 10 confer
with Professor Edward Dana Durand from time to
time. While the period Of work is limited four
months, can begin 1t within any reasonable time,
and IL is prOba ble that I shall accomplish little
this summer The servant question is one of the
largely with the personal element and with the in
Cividual temperament The extent of my research
will depend upon the amount of material that
find available