The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-07-13
SERVNIS On STRIKE
In the Home of a MuIti-MiI-
Iionaire in Rich Newport.
HOURS WERE TOO LONG
But When They Complained
They Were Told to Go.
HOURS WERE TOO LONG

frst. experience as strike leader was a
remarkable success. He had no union
nor any organization TO support him, but
when DooIey gave the order every ser
want in the mansion quit work at once.
They were satisfied with their wages;
their lodgings We're comfortable and their
table was sufficiently furnished three
times day. but-they had no time to
spend in their own amusement
The procession Of servants from the
house was probably the most remarkable
demonstration ever made by strikers in
this country If ever there has been one
like It the fact is not on record.
The Berwind servants Id not strike for
higher pay. They admit that they re-
ceived the best wages in Newport Long
hours were their grievance 1aey say
that the work kept them busy from the
rising Of the sun until the going down
thereof, and they really couiOn't stand It
any longer
There have been instances Of a clique
OF servants leaving their places in the
fine Newport homes. but never before
has the whole establishment below stairs
quit work at a signal and departed in a
body.
The strike of the Berwind servants
a sensation along BelIeview avenue, and
the shock was felt even in the town. 1t
is always difficult to secure good servants
even IN the city. and far more so in the
country and the precedent Of a general
strike in a big household suggests all
manner of possibilities.
The mere fact that labor troubles
should inHude themselves upon the ar
istocratc exclusiveness of Newport is
sufficiently painful. but there are practi-
cal considerations which are far more
important.
Newport is the most fashionable sum-
mer resort in America. In warm weather
II is really the society center of the
United States for the NEST exclusive
families Of me whole country have homes
there
From the time the season opens until
It closes the millionaire folk devote them
selves to entertaining and being enter
tanned. The lavishness of these functions.
the thought bestowed upon them, the
struggles and sacrifices for novelties.
and the enormous amount of money ex-
pended are far beyond the comprehension
Of those who can not have intimate per
sonal knowledge Of the facts.
And in this feverish rivalry of merry
pgklng servants are the most important
i Tor. after the money and the homes
L nselves. For all Newport entertain
m, ats are given in homes. That is why
the cottages are so large The ballroom
and the dining room are the first con
p siderations facts that have been Impress
ed so strongly on .ue architects that
they practically plan these rooms and
then build the house around them.
Even If there is not much entertaining
a small army of servants is needed to
keep these big show places in order. The
costly adornments require constant at
tention. busting. scrubbing. polishing
all the household tributes TO cleanliness
must be finished early in the morning,
which means that some Of the servants
must be at work before daylight. even in
midsummer. And the entertaining in
creases the Iabors Of those below stairs
tenfod.
The training of Newport servants in
the way of their masters and misresses
is long and arduous. Anc unless the
work is done smoothly and on time morti-
fication follows.
FOR Newport Is very CRITICAL A4A ri
thing there must be regulated by the
clock
At a certain hour fashionable Newport
must appear on the beach. Luncheons
are served to the minute. At { o'clock
precisely the gates Of the splendid
grounds open and carriages come forth
for the afternoon drive. Al o'clock
Newport sits down to dinner
So il win be understood that perfectly
trained servants. and many of them are
absolutely essentias to Newport's salts
faction They are far more important in
Newport than in town. Therefore the
strike Of tne Bernind servants is q mat
ter OF general concern.
If Newport cottaFers are to live in con-
slant fear that. every one Of their SER
wants may walk out Of the house at
moments warning, life there is likely 70
be rather cary. The POSSIBILITY. that at
the last moment announcements may
have TO be sent forth canceiling invita-
tions for dinner party and cotalion
for that evening because OF strike in
the servants han is really overpowcring.
For be il known that the Berwind SER
wants were the a~istocrals Of Viewpoints
below stairs population. Because Of the
higher wages they received they were
envied Of all others. And AIR. 8erw md
was known to he liberal in matters 81
livery and other things
But the considerations were overbai-
anced by .he long hours. says Dooley.
Dooley was the head butler of the Ser
wind mansion ard the mere fact that lac
consented 10 lead the strike shows how
general was the dissatisfaction.
For q butter with an Enslish training
and Dooley is classcd as an English butt
Ter despite his name-is the most import
ant member n big household. he Is
an autocrat who looks with contempt
upon those under him. excepting, Of
course. few critics.
Dooley SAYS that he had to work night
and day ana that everybody had to work
at least eighteen hours day and seven
days week. The goreeousness EFF the
pleasure house made their labors exceed
ingiy hard
one reason is that The Elms. as Mr..
Berwind calls his Newport house, is new.
IT was formally opened only last August
and even then Il was not fully completed
The dinner and cotilioa on that occasion
constituted the finest function % the
Newport season.
AIr. Berv-ind has a vast deal of money.
most of which came from zeal lands. He
has been an operator Of coaI properties
on large scale. bat he also has other
Interests.
He is one of the directors Of the securi-
ties. company organized 10 take over the