New-York tribune., 1900-05-06
HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES.
"APPORTION THE INCOME ACCORDING
TO THE HIGHEST NEEDS OF
THE FAMILY"

"I-t us see what "a now demanded in the way
Of refined living; not mere existence as oeasts OF
the earth, which eat and sleep and work only 10
secure sufficient food for themselves, or at the
behe.t of man. who in return. furnishes them with
subsistence" says Ellen II. Richards. In the Amer
:can Kitchen Magazine
1T is expected that certain cosmopolitan stand
ard of good taste in dress in house decoration, in
amusements. shall be maintained by all Intelligent
persons. A house In a good locality and OF style
In keeping with other persons ideas Is also oe-
manded of the candidate for social favor, and tor
this house many servants ones neghbor mas
To meet all these requirements without much
thought demands considerable income. one dls-
tinguished writer has set II al $4,000 year.
Style OF living mark of position has been
the cause of many a suicide and many an undis-
covered theft and many unhappy home. 1t is
to-day at the root OF the popularity OF the apart
ment house. To be entering or leaving such
house in excellent locality is Of itself hall
mark if the family occupies the smallest
suite. crowding 1t until even tenement house has
air space. The expenses in fiat are more
easily estimated beforehand because the lump sum
paid includes not only rent. hut fuel. lights, re-
pairs and portion at least. of service.
"If the family eats In the restaurant or has meals
sent up the man may know almost TO a dollar
how he Is coming There Is thus reduced TO
a minimum the possibility that thoughtless
housewife may far exceed the annual income. In
fact the apartment house expresses the twentieth
century idea of business housekeeping by the men,
labor and of personal energy has yer been shown
in family living. the only pace in which machinery
has been employed to facilitate tho work of the
house. Why not accept this the solution of the
whole problem? Why DO certain thinkers rebel at
this solution?
For reason, because 1t takes away all re-
sponsibility from the wife for the right use of
money gives her chance to express her in
divduality, affords opportunity fer her to do
her share toward the family maintenance. share
Shn al.n .I.E "a yNt Givk
level OF toy lay figure 10 show off her
husbands wealth. For another reason. because the
life of the children IS cramped by the necessary
rules of the house. Pets are inieTdicted; play IN
contact with Mother Earth--giver OF wisdom as
well health-is impossible; family discipline Is
elevator or frequent one sidewalk. stroll in the
park under the eye OF the policeman Is a sorry
substitute for ones vegetable garden and
chicken coop. For the solitary woman, for
the middle aged couple with fixed income. whose
work is DONE and who desire respite from worry
and care. the apartment house is indeed boom but
pity the little who know other life.
"A few weeks ago a newspaper article appeared
which expressed very common idea in these
consumer she needs little training to occupy
1t. Nature will nduct her into the position. True,
If by consumer is meant diSSiDater of n
come, but to be economic consumer, exacting a
due equivalent in results for the money spent
the highest training. the broadest education.