The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1901-12-13


tion TO :heir mistress as near ms pos
eible on an equal plane. rome eighty
German women came together In 1884
20 put their project into action. They
MANNED seeming Utopia for the Bid
dies" md Mt the time were ridiculed on
all sides. But they persevered. and that
they were rewarded Is perhaps best told
by their President. Mrs. Leo Rosen-
berg. Of No. 2is East sixty-ars, street.
who to-day relates to Evening World
readers the history OF the society.
BY MRS. LEO ROSENBERG.
Long before was married l CAV.
quito little thought to the treatment
OF the servant by her mistress. and. az
had plenty OF opportunity to observe
existing conditions both hero and In
Europe. studied tho matter. II ap-
peared to me that the chief thing lack
fns In relationship between the employer
and employee was inspiration-thn Is.
IL seemed as II no incentive 10 good and
faithful service on the part OF the maid
was offered.
Why not thought. reward q good
servant for her work. Just rs scholars
OF the high standing arc always hon
turning from Europe several years ago
talked over the mat,cr with a number
of my friends. They seemed TO think
that there was a lot loft to DO done for
the servants. and We discussed the mat
Ter. frequently.
Tho upshot Of the whole business was
that we decided for our own comfort 70
make the life OF the servan.. especially
rtf MS he 4
mass-mccting which was called brought
Eome two hundred women together. and
by the time they became acquainted
with the plans had made about half
az them formed themselves into 80
ciety.
The organization over with. the next
thing to do was 10 look after the ts,r-
want girls end OF the project. Accord
.ngly. we called a mass-meeting OF ser
wants. and the hall was scarce large
enough to hold all who responded. They
were In perfect delight over our pro-
posed way OF treating them. and success
attended our venture from the very
start.
Five-Dollnr Initiation Fee.
Charging each member s. FOR initiation
ind Sc for annual dues we soon had
money enough TO open up bureau for
servants. This was done when We pro.
cured cheer!ully fitted up rooms At No,
III East Fhty-n!nth street.
Placing a matron IN charge. We opened
q register. and there any girl. no matter
what her creed or color. could look for
employment. She was Obliged TO regis.
ter her name and also her reference. for
] would not think OF engaging any one
without a reference.
The members started by each hiring
girl from among the nrst registered with
suitable references.
The nrst thing We impressed upon the
girls was that We would try to treat
them morn as helpmates than as mere
hlrellngs. and that We would do evNry-
thing reasonable TO make their task as
light as possible. The only requisSe At
the start sas competency and willing
ness. and every girl. upon learning OF
our plan, exhibited both qualities.
Although the genera! method OF the
society was followed in training the
girls. have no doubt that each OF the
members made individual efforts 10
show the gill that NIL good work would
be well rewarded
The soc!ety made no attempt TO re9u-
late the wages OF the servants which,
believe. was wise conclusion. We made
the quarters OF the servants as healthy
ana cheerful as possible. ". did rot
hssgle and fuss with them. We eI-
planned to them the way Nc wanted
each and every part % ;hc.- ~5rk done.
and then we told them to so ahead and
do It.
Instead OF being naughty Sc tried 20
at all times saow good nature and good
will toward our servants. They never
event beyond their domain after oHre
warned. We tried TO train them 50 tnut
their duties would be easy, ana 50 mat
they would De Glad 10 continue IN ne
same household Cor years, And, TO AID
our members In keeping the same glri,
We offered besides other things. IA re-
ward of a SO gold piece to every cir!
VINO worked Two years continuously for
the rafne mistress,
At the end OF Inc Nrs, two yeats
eighteen servants received the prizes,
hundred. After winning the two-vraf
prize a girl now receives another gold
eagle for every additional year sn- re-
Der. ". Offer them every !nduecm.nt "a
he ateady and faithful, aud. after hc!nE
In the service for month, Il SiFl Is
entitled 70 tree medical services and free
medicines IL she Is III.
Farnishcd Work to Others.
Through our bureau We also FURNISH
much work TO women who work out by
the day. In this wRy our members ar,
supplied syith servants temporarily Will.
they arc waiting Tor the right Kind o.
4 Il girl to turn 10.
While We have been very successful
since the start, we have not set rcacheG
what we have aimed at. That Is TN
founding o. a school Tor the education
Il and training OF tho servant girl. Whci
4 the membership Is large enough III,
< aociety Intends TO open school whcr'
\ II can develop poor girls into esliclen
x maids
Z To my mind that Is better system
than mailing young girl serve III
4 appreniceshlp. To become 4 good ser
I; want a girls should be trained n,
school by those most proficient IN tn
a art Of housekeeping. Girls who ar
X poor can never learn ut home how 4
pHco1ua . valuable servant.
They simply have not tho environ
snnsit that VIII surround them whci
fher aecufe a9sitnRtion, and for sucl
. 3 III environment they should be traine,
4. tie very start And were the,
-: IN tsse Hay hugsssted mos
KS !. zz1ns be. 50 gratef.il for thei
~ Hiisn they Etar led IN q poAitiol