The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-07-14

take both of US or neither you can't get
one without the other" How is that for
Independence? Can it be matched IN any
trade? And they We're promptly taken
on their own terms, too. What need
have they of any union?
And that's the kind of thing that Miss
land boulevard. Once she thought she
had real good opening, For she found
girl working hard at D. m.
You ought not to be working at this
hour" said the shoe girl.'If you were
in a union it wouldn't be permitted"
I'D like to sec any union tell me when
| can work and when can't work" re-
torted the domestic.
But don't you sees you wouldn't have
to do it," persisted the shoe girl
We'll, l wouldn't have to do it now,
if / hadn't loafed earlier in the day.
was the reply It's my own fault that
l wasn't through earlier"
50, 1t will be seen all is not smooth
sailing with the Chicago HouSemaidS I'M
ion, and the people of other cities who
| have feared that the time was coming
when the walking delegate would appeal
at the back door and turn the household
Upside down need not worry. At the
same time, the scheme should not be
dismissed as utterly impracticable and
| absurd. Many girls undoubtedly have
/ real grievances, and possibly IN time this
movement may assist IN removing them,
put II Is certainly true that the girls with
. grievances are not the really capable
oneE~ The latter do not have to submit
TO any impositions. Ole may almost say
that it is their privilege to pick and
choose, for the demand far exceeds tie
supply
| Possibly one house1eeper suggested,
this movement would have excellent re-
suits If 1t would aim to teach the girls
their business. That certainly is one
thing that Is needed and l have yet to
hear of any housemaid or cook who, be-
ing thoroughly proficient in her line, has
anything OF which to complain. 1t is
asserted In some quarters that the girls
are treated like dogs but there are dogs
and dogs good dog receives the very
best kind of treatment-his value makes
it necessary-and you won't find a house
wire taking any chances with good
girl. Train girls and a long step toward
improved conditions will have been taken.
one girl will do the work of a place and
nave plenty of time for herself Another,
With exactly the same work, will never
nave 1t done. and in addition will be al
ways complaining that it is too hard.
The hrst is worth twice as much IS the
second but the second is the one who
more wages. If there is to be a union,
a girl should be compelled to prove that
she Is competent before she is admitted
that"
But of course this idea Is absurd It
is we'll known fact that all girls are
competent. 1t requires practice and train
ing TO qualify people for other, positions,
wants the prevailing wages right from
the start. Great heavens! didn't she take
care Of the baby while her mother did
the ironing, and hash she cooked sau-
sages for her father? What more training
does she need?
However, this is no place for an ethical
consideration of the plan. The really I'M
portant question is, How is the move
mert progressing? That what house
wives everywhere want to know, for
there IS already talk of invading other
fields if it succeeds here Indeed, one en-
thusiast asserts that in six months they
will have 1900 members and will be lay
ing down the rules that will govern
households all over the country And 1t
cannot be denied that they are working
hard for success-that sthe factory girls
are There are dozen factory girls In
Chicago who are following in the foot
steps of the shoe girl They are out every
night going from house to house to see
the girls and get them interested, and
they report that the conditions in many
instances are very distressing. Now.