New-York tribune., 1904-08-05
THE MUCH DISCUSSED SUBJECT.
Domestic Service, with It's Many Drawbacks
for Those Engaged in It.

AO1 4AOSC 1LA5 5dScO II H.
A New-Tork expert IN nervous diseases once re-
marked that we'll handed there was enough
''copy' IN deficient children aIcne 10 support man
FOR life The domestic service problem belongs 20
the widows crcse style z subject Il is
good FOR any amount OF copy" II IS a summer
subject and a winter subject Il never goes out
and Il never seems 10 grow threadbare-
Why 90 not girls so into housewcrkT' furnishes
an anonymous author IN The Home Science AIlgl-
zine" with the text for article this much
written Up topic IN IL she expresses a doubt
whe:he- the general impression that housework IS
more healthful than work in stores and factories
Is correct.
The hours os labor" she says. ''rro longer n
household work averaging 11.25 hours da-ly, with
a maximum os sixteen hours and minimum OF
eight hours a day. Certainly the work required ot
general housework girls IS helvier than in factories
and stores and most II the Advertisements spacifv
good strong. healthy girl S-rubbtns on hands
and knees tending furnaces. carrying end movirg
heavy articles goi-g up and down stairs, as some
testify from o. 70 100 times a day. IS certainly
heavier work than IS the rule IN stores and fac
tories"
In respect IL, hea.rhfrl exercise the domestic
worker Is a. o distinct disadvantage. ir the opinion
OF this writer While many hol sehold worker =
not out Of the house between times on, the
shopg!rl has her daily walk and event z stroll. II
she wishes
In our home" she adds. eve were told that
from O'Clock 10 O'Clock each day we had 'no-h-
ute walk around the block, the employer looked at
Us in anazement sTying, Why. what for II /
knew you were out of the house. should want you
twenty times
Again. in the matter OF food. IT is generally
claimed that the food OF household workers IS
suna-5or 10 that OF other workers But
the household worker has no choice OF food or
manner OF serying, IN many places she has what
IS left and any shortage because OF unexpected
guests or otherwise. falls on her Where separate
tables and food are supplied. the food is often
very inferior. she eats what IS left it is
nearly always cold. unless she warns IT, or lhe
cook consents 70 co H. The household worker IS
often accustomed tn foods very different from her
empoyers' and that means readlustnent for her.
Girls IN factories and stores "Aen ia their own
homes are not subject 70 these conditions and
they choose boarding houses "Alch meet 1nsir
needs or they change
In point Of housing the domestic servant is apt
10 be Ear behind the shop and store girl accord
ing 10 the article Ia question. and the RESTRICTIONS
upon her time and freedom are so much greater
as 70 arord reasons once why girls prefer other
forms of employment.
The household worker has ordinarily one after
noon which may begin at I. or she may nc de-
ayed until ; O'clock: one evening upon which
she must bc in ~ 10 or II o'clock; and every
other sunday afternoon subject TO the same delay
TIE shopgirl mas every evening. beginning at
or . n. sre ordinarily goes 70 Work later than
.Es rouseworker. she mas every Sunday. with the
rnuci-coveted muTrinR sleep and II many places
ia -lnmer saturday afternoon.
"In many houses there hours when the girl
is not nusg 5lt she IL aIEays subject 20 call and
must remain indoors There Is little or no chance
of p.omouuu. but every glrl in a store hopes 70
have her own counter or become torelady or IN
a factor get more desirable piece or WoTk,
/ and hole Is a great S0nsolation
The differences IN Tie social conditions ana op-
portunites IN household and other labor are more
clearly recognized. bat their Importance Is uh-
deTestnated. - =,
nowhere paralIeled IN the midst OF frlenoIy
social life OF which she is a witness. che must
work eat and stay alone. The frienoLest employer
cannot create a real spontaneous social relation
which viii satisfy ths longing cor ecInpanionSnlp
son while others. more Independent, refuse posi-
/ tions where there are other servants There are
Of necessty restrictions upon the number OF callers
! a gfrl NAV nave and the hospitality whicn she
/ NAV extend 10 her friends and in many instances
! men are entirely excluded The girl choosing be
tween the household and the factory has inter-
est "a the necessity; she rebels against the restrc
/ ton II Is fundamental that most women wish 20
/ marry that they have longing for home and
4 children and when men are excluded, II simply
/ means they are forcsd 10 meet them the street
or IN places OF amusement or elseW here-aud what
sort of men are willing TO be met IN such way2
Girls say frankly HOuseWork de rs Us from
: meeting desirable men. ana we viii OF
I liz and another We can't get the respect OF
/ have 70 visit with the back stoop in the
I street. ana then you wonder we deCeirful and
! immoral Household workers other class
subject 20 indignities. for they certainly
4 consider uniform tho unrestricted use OF the