New-York tribune., 1901-07-30
ALAS, FOR THE MISTRESS!
CHICAGO HOUSEWIVES ARE CONFRONT.
ED WITH A SERVANT PROBLEM
THAT BIDS FAIR TO DIS
RUPT THE HOME

The Workingwomen of America, organization
of domestic servants formed not long ago in Chi
cago has at last given the waiting public thu
results Of its lucubrations. These results GER
tain TO strike the hearts of Chicago house
keepers and increase the number of divorces
The union already has than three hundred
members and the list is rapidly being added to.
that the rules established not 10 be regarded
mere pleasantries. The first of these rules is:
Work shall not begin before 5:3O a. m, and shall
cease when the evenings dishes are washed and
put away. Two hours each afternoon and the en-,
lire evening at least twice week shall be allowed
the domestics their own
The second IS more advanced. 1t provides that
'there shall be opposition the part Of the
mistress TO club life the part Of the domestic.
Entertainment of friends in limited numbers shall
not be prohibited provided the domestic furnishes
her own refreshments 1t is probable that family
jars viii arise this regulation, as the do
InestIc may insist joining the clubs of which her
mistress is member. and is likely to spend all her
spare time in the library getting up her paper
for the next meeting
Still more severe is the third rule. which DEGREES
that gentlemen friends shall not be barred from
the kitchen or back porch. Members of the family
OF the house shall not interrupt the conversation
arising during said visit" The picture of the
members of the family waiting feverishly for the
departure of the gentleman friend" before they
can venture to proffer humble request for glass
Of water is not pleasant to contemplate. Yet who
could predict the direful consequences should they
disturb the conversation arising during such
visit?
The climax in this ascending scale of exaction,
however, is reached in the fourth rule: 'Domestics
shall be allowed such hours Off on Mondays as will
permit them TO visit the bargain counters of the
stores and enjoy that day the same privileges
enjoyed by the mistress and her daughters" This
strikes at very of social order by abolish
ing Mondays time honored privilege of being
garded s wash day. In addition to that daring
fconoclasm. it sef-evident that luncheon Is
o be expected that day, when Bridget as madly
scramblng among the 81 80 flowers for 10 cents
in search of like those on her mistresss hat.
Then Bridget goes home to house Of after Sun
cay' chaos. and exhausted by her shopping strug-
giles cares little whether order Is ever restored or
not Furthermore, she is waiting eagerly for the
Two hours every afternoon that the union de-
rands for her in order 20 put the new adornment
not except bargain Monday in prescribing two
hours in the afternoon.
The last rule. An complaints shall be made
10 the business agent of the union. The ques-
tion of wage shall be settled at the time OF en-
ploynent and no reduction shall be allowed:
leaves one with a sense OF utter heiplessness. No
matter how radically Bridgets ideas on cooking or
other subjects may differ from those or her en-
ployar. one venture 10 e2postulate, be IL
ever SO gently. Bridget would merely refer the OBJ
jector. with iceberg dignity, 10 tine business
AGENT She may smash ones pet bric-a-Drac
with airy insoucance she may roast one s beef 10
rags: she NAV insist sending three minute
eggs 10 the bTeakfa table when lve-minute
eggs are desired. The employers only resource
IS TO see the business agent. Grant Allen mas SAID
brilliant and attractive spnsters and the house
workers union of Chicago, II IL eKtends 10 the re-
maiuder of the country, viii double ther numbers
in the coming years.