St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1901-09-28

& 4 lie GEK AN O1kL PKUbLEW III
How It Has Been Satisfactorily Solved
IN Norway.
The servant girl problem has been
solyed in Norway to the satisfaction
Of all concerned, although I doubt
whether similar solution would be
accepted By domestic servants in
America. In large cities like Bergen
and Christiania, says w. =. Curtis, in
the Chicago Record Herald, there's a
central employment bureau under
the direction of the municipal govern
ment, and twice a year-one week be-
fore New ears day and one week be-
fore St. Johns day, the oath Of June
there is a general change Of servants
by those who are dissatisfied with ex-
isting conditions, and engagements
are made for the ensuing SIX months
of the year. Families who want serv-
ants fill out blanks setting forth what
is required and the wages they are
willing to pay. These are filed at the
employment Office and are noted in a
conspicuous manner upon a black
board. Women or men in search Of
employment go to this bureau during
the weeks named, examine the black
board and apply to the clerk in charge
for further information.
Il they desire to apply for q particu-
lar position they submit their recon-
mendations to the clerk, and if he is
satisfied he gives them a card to the
lady Of the house. That card is good
for the day only andmust be returned
by the lady Of the house before the
cfose Of office hours. If the girl isen-
gagged the blanks upon the card are
filed out with a general statement as
to her duties, the term Of service and
the wages agreed upon, and the card
is filed away for reference If necessary.
Il the lady Of the house is not satisfied
with the applicant she sends heraWay
and returns the card marked mot sat
isfactoryo to headquarters, with a re-
quest that other applicants be sent to
her. Il the applicant is satisfactory
the lady Of the house pays hera bonus
of one krone or two kroner, called
hand money that is, she crosses
her hand with silVera as an evidence Of
good faith-and the girl agrees to re-
port for duty within one week after
New Years or Midsummer's day, as
the case may be. This is to allow her
present employer an opportunity to
fill herplace.
In some Of the smaller towns the
dates for changing servants are April
IA and October14.
The law protects both theemployer
and the employed. The employer
guarantees to give the servant com
Portable room, wholesome food, take
care Of her if sick and pay her wages
regularly as agreed upon during good
behavior; while the girl agrees to per-
form her duties faithfully during the
term for which she istengaged. IF
there is any complaint upon either
side it must be made to magistrate,
who Investigates and decides between
them. A family cannot get rid Of d
servant during her term of employ
ment without official Intervention.
On the other hand, the girls wages
are a first lien upon their property, for
The entire term, although Judgment
must be rendered and made matter
If record. If a servant runs away
from her employer she can be arrested
BY the police and imprisoned and
fned. Cooks are paid from four to
even dollars q month; housemaids,
rom three to six dollars month: |
nen buffers, from ten to SIS; coach
men, from $12 to SIG a month; soul
cry maids and men Of all work receive
corresponding wages.