Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-05-14
SOCIAL CONDITIONS IN DOMESTIC
SERVICE.


for February publishes a very inter
esting summary of the results of a
study of the problem of domestic SER
vice. Exact data have been obtained
by an agent of the labor bureau, with
the object of showing without bias
the present social opportunities, the
limitations and the prevailing condi-
tons that affect the life of the domes-
tic upon it's social side.' The ques-
tions to be answered are these: What
opportunities has the faithful cook or
maid for improvement in education?
What amusements and recreations?
What means Of spending her leisure
time? The inquiry has been prosecut-
ed with full recognition of the peculiar
position of the domestic. "She is in
the family says the Bulletin, 'tbut
not of it. The service required of her
is of the highest Importance to the
peace and comfort Of her employer,
but her work is considered inferior in
many ways to that of other self-sup-
porting women. To raise the social
standard of those in domestic service,
to dignity and elevate, if possible, this
kind of employment, would remove
one of the barriers which now deter
workingwomen from voluntarily ac-
cepting it."
There is nothing degrading or hard
in the nature of the work performed
by domestics. Their work is often
taken in hand by their employer in
emergencies without loss of self-re-
spect. It is monotonous, it is true,
but less monotonous than that of the
factory or the shop, which most self
supporting workingwomen prefer.
Why, then, is the factory preferred?
The answer seems to be, as stated by
the Bulletin, that while certain social
opportunities are enjoyed by those
who are employed in the factory or
the shop, due in a measure to unity
OF action on the part of the workers
and to generally accepted customs
growing out of the employment, in do
mes Sic service there is neither uni
forr' ity of privilege nor recognized So
clal status WorkingWomen it is
suggested, if able in domestic service
to obtain the same respect and sympa-
thy that they have at home and the
same leisure in the evening that they
obtain when employed in factories,
would, as rule, prefer domestic SER
vice, but the American woman resents
the disposition of some employers to
regard her as of an inferior caste and
to seek to control all her time from 6
a. M. to 10 p. M. The spirit of the age
has made obsolete the old conception
of the entire subsection of the maid to
"her Mistress" It is as ''help'' rather
than as a servant" that the American
workingWoman nowadays insists up
on being regarded The very name of
servant is odious. The chance that
it may be applied to her makes the
average young woman reject with dis
dain the proposal that she shall be-
come cook or housemaid. though
these occupations pay better than fac
tory work
The answers obtained by the Bulle-
tin to its inquiries show that .'the dis
tinctly social life fostered by the
church, as expressed in parties and
social meetings of different kinds" is
highly valued by A per cent of the
domestics interrogated AS affecting
the desirableness of domestic service,
questions were asked as to opportun-
tiles given by employers for ''intellec-
tual Improvement" Were books and
magazines supplied to relieve the tedi-
UNI Of leisure moments? Was access
given to the library? Were any of
the excellent periodicals and works de-
signed to promote efficiency in domes-
tic service given to domestics to read?
Does the domestic resort to the public
library? What opportunities for en-
joyment are open to the domestic
within the house? Is he permitted to
play on a musical instrument? Does
she play cards? Is she allowed visit
ors? If in the kitchen, does the kitchen
contain furnishings beyond those nee
SSodiy W us UuSIu6SS uses. is LD0r6
time given for personal sewing? Is
the family sewing machine used by
the domestic? How much time does
the domestic spend out Of the house?
Does she attend lectures? Has she de-
posits in the savings bank? Is she
helping to support relatives? These
questions assume that domestics have
wants, feelings, aspirations, capacities
for enjoyment and rights which the
thoughtful and considerate employer
will not ignore. No doubt there are
worthless persons who are worthless
as domestics and are incorrigible, no
matter what provision the sympathetic
employer makes for the amelioration
of their position. They respond to no
treatment, however kind, indulgent or
generous Still, there are many who
will do their best to please if the en-
ployer's point Of view is respectful and
considerable The solution of tha do