New-York tribune., 1901-02-25
TREATING SERVANTS JUSTLY.
THINKS THERE IS A SOLUTION TO THE
PERPLEXING DOMESTIC PROBLEM

Contributions on the servant question are
numerous. and. the principle that many hands
make light work. may be useful in suggesting
ideas that when combined may serve 10 solve the
question" said woman yesterday who has had
large experience in conducting a millonaire's
household 'Unreaxed vigilance is the price that
must be paid for perfection in any line of work.
Housekeeping should be ranked among the fine
arts. and should be prepared for by careful
ing The housekeeper who would manage her home
successfully must be acquainted with all its needs,
from salon TO kitchen. from attic to cellar. I'm
questionably, much of the trouble with servants
arises from the incapacity of the mistresses as
much as from the Incompetence of the maids.
They know neither how TO do how direct
the work of their houses, and are ignorant of what
constitutes a fair days work.
Justice, kindness cleanliness and order
sential TO good housekeeping. Much that seems
difficult might be adjusted easily by a wise and
considerate apportionment of work, which is one
Of the first necessities whether the house be grand
simple In large households the greater part
Of the friction arises from unequal distribution of
tasks. One servant may have several hours OF
daily leisure while another has none from early
till late. Every is entitled TO a couple of hours
off duty each day. and that is little enough when
one realizes how confined their lives Who e>
US would undertake for any compensation a posi-
tion where she would he ones beck and
call day and evening, with only a few hours
freedom a week?
Where only one maid is employed she is usually
Her clothes not supposed 10 need mending and
she is compelled steal the time from sleep Tor
personal cleanliness. When there is hut one ser
want the members of the family should not demand
any personal attendance. and should help in various
ways. busting, preparing the table for meals,
washing the glasses. not tireSome in them
selves Yet TO have them done for her would greatly
relieve OVerworked maid
There is as much need for reform in many
palatial homes. There mionares who are
notorious for their parsimoniousness among the
serving class Not long ago New-York woman.
who had made engagement to manage a million
aires house in 81. Louis, wished to engage butler
before leaving the city. The said: Madam,
that is a very hard house TO work in. They never
have enough servants Yet he had never been in
ST. Louis.
mother, a new housekeeper for one Of New
Norks wealthy women, tried TO get servants to
open the country house. Such the reputation
OF the mistress that the housekeeper found the
greatest difficulty in securing them Get all you
can for the least money seems be the idea fire.
quently.
When business methods prevail the servants
rooms, table. bathing cOnVenienceS and all else
that concerns them will he in keeping with the
rest OF the establishment, and only a fair amount
Of work viii be expected for a given wage They
Will have time TO think and grow more intelligent.
They will be happier and, therefore, viii work
better. and most of the difficulties will vanish"