New-York tribune., 1902-01-27
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THE CLUB AND THE DOMESTIC PROBLEM.

AHAH NbCD h-'D NE DOHESIIC PROBLEH.
AS Mrs. Sharpe. who has been called the prac-
tlcal member, mounted the platform to address the
Thursday Club the Domestic Problem there
was ripple OF interest. II was felt that she
would at least differ radically from the last
speaker. Mrs. Buzbee who had left her audience in
q state of bewildered discouragemen Her eight
hour scheme of service appeared to be so mer-
cilessly logical and yet impracticable that It's
effect upon her hearers was to close the door
against all hope of better things. They felt that
If her system prevailed they doomed to bear
a burden that would make their present weight of
care seem light by comparison. But they
raised their dropping heads. for they had con-
hdence in Mrs. Sharpes ability make sug
gestions which could at least be carried out. They
were. therefore. all the disappointed when
she began by saying that she could offer solu-
ton to the ever growing difficulties of the domestic
situation; that 1t would probably solve itself by
coming unbearable, and that revolutionary
method would accomplish IT, but only the gradual
evolution brought about by time by intelligence
and. finally, by concerted action. At present she
would content herself with pointing out of the
causes of the trouble, then, perhaps, the remedies
would partially suggest themselves.
THE laws of supply and demand. which lie at the
foundation Of all trade and all employment
largely responsible in this for the trial.
dured by helpless housewives. When the demand
for any commodity exceeds the supply the price
goes up the quality is inferior and the consumer is
at a disadvantage. When the supply is excessive
the consumer has his choice of any amount and any
quality at a reasonable price. 1t IS the with
labor. When business advertises for office
boy clerk. the line of anxious applicants may
tend half way down the block. The fortunate
who secures the place will keep II at almost any
sacrifice and the employer will easily dismiss him
If he prove in any degree unsatisfactory-there
plenty of others ready step into his place. Even
the higher business positions can be hlled without
much difficulty some competent person who has
been drilled In the ranks is usually at hand.
I'm household. the contrary. II is difficult to
obtain skilled service, and often easy matter to
rare; there is no penalty for incompetence or un-
fathfulness; the empoye is Independent. knowing
her work 10 be greatly In demand. and the employer
is at a hopeless disadvantage. Her other duties.
particularly those of motherhood and wifehood.
and incidentally those of society and sef-improve
ment. pressing, and her physical powers are
often limited that she is practically at the mercy
OF the terrible girl who becomes in consequence
an irresponsible tyrant. ruling without reason or in
telligence-a veritable lady OF misrule'
Now to the of the scarcity OF
fairly good servants The first OF these is the
prevalent notion that domestic service is akin to
slavery, a notion fostered by sentimentalists. who
believe that the loudest complaner is always the
greatest sufferer The resident servant is we'll paid,
majority of employers worked only within the ca
teigenee II h she be slave to & her W work she en-
working woman in her household gets through
in day than twice the labor exacted Of
any servant. Household work is intermittent and
and rest. It is necessarily spread unevenly over
hour system is manifest absurdity. A nurse
maid governcss housekeeper. an invalid's nurse
or companion cannot be wedged into eight hour
system any more than mother any useful
possible mode OF domestic service can be laid
upon this bed of Procrustes. A house servant Is
the househodgr herself and must conform 10 the
There few ways in which changes could
has aiready exacted and obtained for the most
part Ceaseess concession has not improved the
conditions; it has rendered them more burden
lack of principle the part Of employers are as
much at the bottom of these concessions as senti-
mental charity.
The domestic servant has no Idea OF the nature
Of contract Her notion is to draw her WAGES ana ana
the hands of her employer. This she usually sue
OiE % iaTa V napt p pc nf II themscves The need is
perform Iaise par or II 4nr sncnrAd hv obed
ence, necessary in all forms OF production The
public Office the army. the government itself, all
depend upon discipline all exact obedience from
the wageworker during tho hours of work: The
snITe hey read progres "
Conditions will never improve until the average
eo tbs thew can Understand Contract and feel the
obligation TO fulfil it, Nor will they improve until
to be strict and exacting, calmly and determinedly
Insisting upon the 10 ma and or ns a eso
the manual education of the serving class when we
doors upon the incompetent even at heavy sacri-
fee to our own convenience, great step forward
low o Topnd sn Of sroEg ppagSs ra@
the beNv worried member. and she whispered to her
neighbor, But how are we going to carry II OUT!
We should have to do our own work and die IN
Mrs sharpe caught the sound Of the IN murmTr o',,r
might say & 3S but have et tbe bog Subject
exantIv misitiI u; where found it,"