Newport weekly independent., 1901-09-13
THE SERVANT GIRL PROBLEM
How It Has Been Satisfactorily Solved
 ln Norway.

I
 The servant girl problem has been solved in Norway to the satisfaction of all concerned, although I doubt whether a similar solution would be accepted by domestic servants in America. In large cities like Bergen and Christiania, says w. E. Curtis, in the Chicago Record Herald, thereis a central employment bureau under the direction of the municipal govern ment, and twice year-onc week be- fore New Years day and one week be- fore St. Johns day, the 24th 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 sery- 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.
 Ii they desire to apply fora particu- lar position they submit their recom- mendations to tile clerk, and if he is satisfied he gives them card to the lady of the house. That card is good for the day only and must be returned by the lady of the house before the close of office hours. If the girl is en- gagged the blanks upon the card are filled out with 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. If the lady of the housei is not satisfied with the applicant she sends heraway and returns the card marked ''not sat isfactory" to headquarters, with re- quest that other applicants be sent to her. If the applicant is satisfactory the lady of the house pays her bonus of one krone or two kroner, called "hand money"-that is, she crosses her hand with silver 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 her place.
 In some of the smaller towns the dates for changing servants are April II and October IA.
 The law protects both the employer and the employed. The employer guarantees to give the servant a com fortable 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 isAcngaged, 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 servant during her term of employ ment without official intervention, On the other hand, the girls wages are first lien upon their property, for the entire term, although judgment must be rendered and made a matter of record. If servant runs away from her employer she can be arrested by the police and imprisoned and fined. Cooks are paid from four to seven dollars month; houSemaids, from three to six dollars a month: men buffers, from ten to $15: coach men, from SIP to $16 a month: scul- lery maids and men of all work receive corresponding wages.