The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-04-26


time of the laborer, who is then ex-
pected to perform not only certain la
Dor which has been specified, but, in
addition to that, is expected to per-
form whatever services may be re-
quired who is expected in short, to be
at all times, subject to the call and
direction Of the employer"
One employer, man, said, speak
ing of the one servant Of the house.
hold MAY servant is hired to do what
ever she is told to do, and to be at
any time subject to commando An
other employer, a woman, said: II hire
all of the time of my servant. That is
the contract" These are the views of
most persons, both men and women,
on this subject.
however, that the information we have
received from the housekeepers as well
as from some Of the girls employed as
domestics, (and this information comes
from nearly every section Of the state)
that the life Of the domestic is not as
dark, as some people would like to
have us believe, who from lack of ex-
perience or any practical knowledge
of housework, are in no position to
talk on this subject in an intelligent
manner. Some OF the replies received
from the girls employed in domestic
service can not be misunderstood, and
sets forth in terms so plain their con-
ditions that I might say they would
admit of no comparison, when COM
pared with some Of the many things
complained of by women wage earn
er engaged in other callings.
While some complain of unusually
long hours many are perfectly sat1s-
fled on this score, claiming that their
work is not continuous as they very
very often have number of hours
during the day between meals for
themselves, as we'll as one-haf day
of every week, and every Sunday after
the midday meal, with every evening
of the week to devote as they see fit.
From the housekeepers to be sure
there is some complaint, and justly
so, 1 believe, of incompetent servants,
lack of interest, etc. But we must
remember that this does not apply to
domestic service alone, but applies to
people engaged in every form of en-
ployment.
In no instance have I noted any
where in any Of the replies either from
the housekeepers or their employees,
the domestic wage Garner, and refer
ence to the social stigma attached to
the life and calling of the domestic
wage Garner.
This is as it should be. We will all
admit that the girl in the kitchen OF
the average American home Is quite
an important factor In the happiness
and prosperity Of the home, and why
any social distinction should be made,
or be allowed to exist between her,
and a sister that might be employed
in the factory or store, or at any form
OF employment, is hard to understand.
.Is such St6fid saa tlats
evidently it does in the minds Of some
of our people, it is the duty Of every
head of a family, every housekeeper,
every person that is interested in the
future welfare Of our people, in truth
and fairness to do everything In their
power to obliterate from the minds Of
the people who are willing to believe
that social degradation will be the
reward of any, who may enter on the
life of the domestic wage Garner. Agi-
tation should be started, arguments
advanced, and launhed on the stream
of history and time, that would for
ever eliminate from the minds OF all
people, the foolish and nonsencical idea
that because Of woman being en-
ployed in the noblest of all work that
is allotted to her sex, that of taking
care of the home. She is socially in
ferior to what they are willing to con-
slider the more fortunate woman, who
is employed in some Of our laundries,
with their life sapping, and nerve de-
stroying surroundings.
The teachings of some self appoint
ed apostles Of woman's emancipation,
that it is a woman's duty to make
herself independent, and self-support
ing, while having great degree Of
truth is viewed with some alarm and
apprehension by many of the people
Of today. It is true that all parents
should have their daughters thoroughly
trained in some employment, and in
this way equip them with means to
take up the battle of life. But I do
not believe that this training should
be secured at a complete sacrifice of
any knowledge of housekeeping, that
every woman should be possessed of
when taking up the great responsible
ity that is hers when she assumes that
position in life.
But the independence that many
people advocate for the woman of to-
day has in a measure been misunder-
stood, every one will admit I believe
that the place for our girls is under
the parental roof as long as circum-
stances will permit. Much alarm has
come from advice given to girls by
people with perhaps the very best of
intentions, that it was the duty Of the
girl to leave her home, and venture
forth in the world in chase Of fortune
because of the fact that her parents
found it impossible to support her in
style and splendor. and If she would
only assert her independence, go forth
into the world, secure employment,
she would be relieving her parents
from the responsibility of supporting
her.
If the story of the untold numbers
who have started on this journey to
spirit of independence, and buoyancy
that would suggest that they knew
of no such word as fail and who have
met with no successes, could be told