New-York tribune., 1902-01-02
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THE CLUB AND THE DOMESTIC PROBLEM

i.
The momentous day arrived upon which the com
mittee on economies of the Thursday Club had n
nounced it's intention Of discussing the vast prob
lem of Domestic Service" The members assem-
bed with a feeling of upon their spirits They
realized that this subject difficult and
dangerous to handle the tariff itself. Civil Ser
vice problems were trivial by comparison, and
municipal reform mere child's play. The faces
of the members wore various expressions, accord
ing 10 their point of view their temperament
Domestic minded members showed the eager smile
of hope the wrinkled brow of perplexity and
care. Bachelor girl members maintained an air
Of studied indifference. Members with pet theories
looked happy and important, II prepared to
solve the problem onhand and leave the question
settled for evermoTe The impudent member looked
cynical, and the worried member hopeless
Nevertheless, it was the worried member who
first claimed the floor. Her little outbreak at the
last meeting had been her first public appearance
as a speaker, and she seemed determined to
carry the matter to an issue. Desperation lent her
courage and the power of expression.
Madam President she said. AZ here
ply 10 Mrs. BuZbee' (the principal member with a
theory. who arraigned the employers the
OF unkindness and il!berslity to their servants.
My experience is that the endless concessions to
which forced ha done more harm than
good And for the accommodations given, 1
wish say that my maid is less comfortably
housed than the members of my household. There
is a good bed, a rocking chair and even a few
pictures The is of every household I
know Of, except one The one exception is a neigh
bor of mine, whose maid sleeps in a OF closet
in the garret. and yet is the happiest and
faithful servant I have It's all in the
girl! Mine goes out every night. has everything
she asks form fact, rides the entire family.
and yet l care not part with her, because she is
of the few who willing even TO do the work
they have contracted to do. and I am at a dis
advantage, because I'm not strong enough do II
myself"
AS she paused for breath, amid murmurs Of
sent, another member rose and said:
Madam President the member has touched the
main point in confessing her own disability. 1t is
power that demoralizes the domestic servant. Con-
oitions viii improve until have strength
CROUCH and leisure enough to do without her"
Then. what would become Of the clubs?" muir
INJURED the cynical member.
That's not the point" said another. The en-
ployers who strong enough TO do their own
work are he very ones who are spelling the Sc
sooner we give up the New England I idea Of mere
help and demand real service for our money, the
better for the cause Of reform"
Here one of the theorists secured the floor But,
think of their long hours! she exclaimed plain
lively. Truly it is said that 'woman's work is
isn't that true of the employers weli?" broke
Never DONE repeated the theorist, en-
dom, the craving for pleasure and for sympathy
My niece" said the practical member, rising
sponsible position. More work is crowded into her
twenty-four The difference is in the distribution
of time. She must pay for board and lodging,
which come to the house servant free and without
She must fulfil her contract and do her work
we'll lose her place There are many behind
her ready step into 1t, and her employer is not
afraid 10 discharge her for incompetence or in
subordinaton. We hear good deal of applying
business principles domestic work, but l notice
that the employers expected to fulfil all the
obligations. Let the business principles be applied
to the employees just for day and they would
they would'-
They would think a cyclone had struck them,
put in the audaciouS member.
Il have often wished that a convenient cyclone
would strike my present incumbent murmured
the impudent member.
Then there laughter and confusion, and the
gave came down with bang.
IF she docile gavel would
do as well as a cyclone whispered the irrepressi
bile impudent member
The discussion in circles. and always
came back the point from which 1t started As
the time up before any conclusion had been
reached. two members were appointed TO write up
the subject for the next meeting. and the club
adjourned. After the adjournment the members
talked together, and made more practical sugges-
tions In fifteen minutes than they had made on
the hours.