New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-12
I DOMESTIC GUILD"
Mrs. Russell Sage's Viescs of Duties
of Mistress and Maid.


ton with the movement for a ''Women's Domestic
Guild" which. IL is reported will be founded soon
for the benefit OF housewives and maids. Mrs.
Russell Sage said that any definite statement Of
her Endorsement OF the matter a whole was a
little premature She added:
yes. I know Mrs. Healy. and discussed the
euhsect at some length when we were thrown to-
sether at Far Rockaway. summer before last. and
] am most certainly OF the opinion that there is
crying need for Improvement in the realm Of do
mestic service; but. as have said 10 Mrs. Healy,
cannot promise 10 be even patroness unless am
assured that the organization is going about the
matter IN the right way and is likely TO accomplish
some definite and lasting good.
I'VE have enough. too many. clubs and guilds
and their ilk that merely peck the problems they
profess TO solve. and each one that poses in this
way and does not really accomplish anything only
complexities and increases the gravity Of the situa-
ton.
And this servant question is to my mind really
grave one. II is more far reaching and the springs
q the trouble really deeper think, than AT
first glance they would appear Yes. my demestics
stay with a long time; the coachman is thirty
years in employ, one Of my maids twenty and
another ten years. Three cooks. all OF whom had
been with me quite long time. have married from
the house. Yes. perhaps I may say that 1 am
proud Of such a record I think such things should
be as much a matter Of pride with q woman as any
so-called social achievement Nor in my mind are
the Two incompatible But 1 feel that in my case
credit due 70 our nethoo OF housekeeping
than 70 any personal element Neither M Sage
nor cares for late and elaborate dinners. and TO
this attribute our long lives Of perhaps more than
ordinary good health. We co not require unusual
or excessive service. and 1 believe in making my
servants rooms and general accommodations as
comfortable in proportion as my own
The maids rooms here In the front Of the
house and are ecoded with sunlight half the day.
That is another potent element in the present I'M
restful state Of domestic service. think. Entirely
little care is given 20 the welfare OF those on
whom cur whole household machinery depends A
woman who spends the night or an uncomfortable
bed in a bare and cherries. probably sunless.
room is IN condition 10 see that the chops are
done 70 turn. the bread light and sweet. ami the
coffee clear. for her health ano brain and
spirits rot az par. IN al this physical comfort
has more 10 do. beneve. than one imagines
Recreation. library with some new books
and magazines, not merely the clearings OF last
years closets and a comfortable. CHEEKY room in
which lounge and gossip Il they please. will. in
ny estimation. do more 10 secure good service.
long and loyal service than anything else. Miss
Gould. 7 understand. has a library for her
wants and an additional one in her stable for her
coachman and his
Yes. it seems TO me that it may-not be so much
the fault Of individual mstresses but it certainly
is the fault Of our modern housekeeping methods.
that the question OF household help has come 10
such pass as il now is More Of the personality
Of the nornemaker should be infused throughout
the whole regime. Hers is the broader outlook,
hers should he the larger charity and the longer
patience. Homes are little more than family head
quarters nowadays. It seems. You hear business
lner- travelling men. talk about having deskroom
somewhere, place where their names are on
tie coor and their letters are delivered. Many
homes luxurious exquisi5ely appointed houses, are
'ntrinsi silly little more than that to the families 10
which they belong. The various members dine and
dance and have their being almost anywhere eE-
- .ee, aA9 stci a tnIhe a. a isdi Lol5g M
a. w--ch The circle Is complete and the dishes are
si1aliy grFp6Ur ' 10 Them rt anu - -
Il have often wondered how many Newly orkers
really know what home cooking means. and ]
hear 50 many men, especially, long for il Il seems
% me a w0manly thing q really charming thing.
Tor the mistress OF home 10 come into more or less
close personal touch with the details o. this i'm
mothers family were SHAREHOLDERS Long Isl
enc ano ;nere was 20 necessiIE ioI my m2{hs s
in IL. and j remember wen in our Syracuse home
hars Of some guest in the ne.ehborhood. or the
coming of some distant relative. In those days
especial dainty The secret Of tho manufacture Of
which Sc was s;5nnoee3 10 understand better than
any OF her neighbors. and in the serving Of which
she took especial pride. Ny mother was famous
know I san have one of the very tsblecloths the
hnesi. whitest linen woven 10 last gensration or
tVo, OF which many OF those teas and dinners IN
our old home were served. We always had two
.. pattern either % whlcn Wa use9 loI sI.laIeI
were put IN the dining room table the pair were
atmosphere about these home meals. prepared
40 they were under the direct supervision OF the
hsn6s and every detail instinct with her per-
sonality and gracious hospitality.
Nowadays b seems II our hospitality were
s1ch an irnpersonal thing. a matter o. contract.
bought and SOLD in the lump II seems 10 me that
Really Homauly woman could not desire a Wloer
&C more fertile field for her influence than among
Per own household Through the domesttcs she
.ss an opportunity 10 reach many families, 70
nt he younger and less experienced for futures OF
geater usefulness and make the lives OF those long
y servitude less burdensome. Little by little, IN
MS way one heavens very large lump OF ones
cSn any of dO2 Il IS not snowy work. ano no
49, trunpets proclaim its successes but II IS a
ssork That lasts. believe. and that makes steadily
lor The upft % homes : a whole.
AoNs y this guild. whatever II turns
= going 10 be woraanly, genuine and practical
sal be only glad TO do my small part toward
=, - idrtherance IN any way can have refused
- be on the advisory committee, only because j
really haven't the time. but I shall gladly be a
patroness = believe Il is going 10 make for good
- ye there has been no general meeting. that
! know Of Of those interested in the subject and
matters really in the air AS ] understand
y. however aud as j hope 10 see IL carried out
stlply equipped with sleeping accommodations for
there 81 splos mn ,c,s,iI y, 10 ssaE E
- -. me up 20 date paraphernalia necessary for a
LILY comfortable and representative building.
Supplying from either side Of necessity's line
a. requirements should be MADE, and every
kee- 'e ~ should consioer II maUef OF honor TO
49, these agreements 10 the fullest 81 both letter
Sno spirit ] think one Of the requirements should
-. nat nistresses prOy1e really comfortable rooms
iss ..stlr oUEnestlcs. There shousd be more or
- hreo standard for this. and / DO not believe
S,es sl the ban is once set rolling II VIII be such
selncuit matter definite, lasting improve
-1snt al along the line.
:. les. ] think women OF position and influence.
r,o 10y choose 70 put IL that way. should be the
tih-i cuty n the matter. PERHAPS this philan-
irr oiac impulse the part II few Is the enter
sssfftle mode OF living on our own account. Our
To- , as e heip Others always have rsasx action