New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-02
ITS CARE OF SERVANTS.
Hoo German HOuSe1ciUeS Conduct
Cooperative Society.

Like SO many New York institutions, we are
handicapped for lack OF funds said Mrs f Won
Oertzen Barber, president OF the German House
wives Society. only this deters from taking
a whole house 70 ourselves. and making a sort OF
home club of II, with q restaurant and kitchen
downstairs. where applicants for positions
especially the greenhorns among them-could do
the cooking and serving and both members and
applicants could meet simple meal We
would like 10 have sewing classes upstairs. and en-
sertainments The evenings. As Yet these are only
plans. but hope n realize them some time
The work Of the German Housewives Society is
foo well known 10 need description. Established
nine years ago by fifteen or twenty German women
prominent in this city. has filled unique sphere
Of usefulness. Now the membership is over one
half American. and the society has thought seri-
ously Of changing its name. But German House
wives Society adopted with view 10 giving
the German girls who might apply confidence in the
organization. and. although domestics Of all nation
alities seek positions through its agency, perhaps
this thought Of holding the confidence OF the girls
and women whom IL seeks 10 help has furnished the
chief reason for the retention of the old name.
The German Housewives Society started out with
fh-oe objects life, and these It has faithfully
adhered. IN The first place. il wanted 10 make 4
possible ror every capable girl and woman of good
character in New-York City to get work without
an C,t13y. So II charged its applicants no regis
tration lee commission. In the second place. II
wanted girls from going 10 questionable
place.. therefore II has sent its applicants posi-
G6DS only with lis own menberS o. thclr Trends.
Another aim which it set itself war against
the bad intelligence Offices. which mulct poor girls
Of their hard earnings ard do nothing for them in
return
Last year 81 girls applied for positions and $50
wore placed
But the andirg OF positions for domestic servants
s only one phase Of tia German Housewives So
c:etys scope There are said Mrs. Barber. "a
large class Of girls and women who apply 10 Is
o9t mo do not come under this category. These
.lre companions goYernesses, mancures. needle
y, Noa.en, LAesseuses. iresSe1Ses, women who take
many Of whom poor gentiewornen constitute
can always find place Tor but 10 locate tnesc
nisFr S@S9es 81 working women IS often long
The German Housewives Society tries to offer
some Of me advantage Of home 20 all women
give help and advice wherever we can We main
and if they fan IN We see dat they have medical
9I,enesnee Not only 10 applicants for positions
.ot pay US Ior getting them places, but actually
pay them: that Is 10 SAY. every Sirl VINO COM
Ploy we Siye a premium. This premium consists
OF go IN sold, which Is presented in a little box
certain public exercises. OF course re frs: take
pans 10 IND out from the mistress whether The
however where girl has remained TWO Years CON
have been satisfactory The year before last We
distributed $500 IN prizes Of $40 each; last wear
70 500 ''''9 A'''' me o''''li' VIII rise
TINS unique organzatior-ror Il IS not known
tnst announcer exists On NE same bas.s-is founded
on cooperative lines. Membership is open 10 All
II.
nenpers must hrsl DC proposed hv one more
members Each mempe- IS virtually q s.ockholder.
he pa nlet OF - entities tie housewife paying
have all the household servants she wants Tor the
space Of one year. II does not suit another
MAY. and she Is AT liberty TO change indefinitely
untu she is suited. or course no woman changes
servants for the fun Of a. and this agency ms Yes
Us boast that II handles only trustworthy helm.
however the best OF mistresses and maids some
nInes fah 10 hit il off. and in that case il Is AN
saysntage to both parties be able TO try It over
esT-ho "cd.hont mourning expense.
., sae Sernlan Housewives Society has all sorts
- seS i.s on us books. said Mrs. Barber from
ne go month cook doHn TO the little wash cooE
81 neleNe the old German adage which
sags IIdl ior every hall there is hole There 10
hardly girl who Doesn't iii in soTnoUibara H. ~,
case OF gIeehllorfs the directors ,aLe tbero IT,
f'eII 6"h aaihlles and experiment with them This
70 give the girls little training in kmoricsn W, VS.
ina 10 naoe fbe Tt they are good for before try
II is great source ~ pride 70 the Officers and
o .; tlaI 20 many 81 the new members are
the society's significance and yes ina
and not restricted 10 the bousekeeDers 81 nv IN
nationality. 80 VI any one
The officers are As follows: President Nrs 7, Won
Oertzen Barber; yice-presideut Mrs r,S,, ! non
urer. Mrs William Knoepke: hoard az IieI; treas
mann. Mrs Albert Prox. Mrs. Charles Ed,sa5
Mrs J. X. stiefel Mrs. J. Teschrer and Mrs q z,
Among the members are Mrs. / Adler. Mrs =
l1amrosch. Mrs 5. Isewisohn. Mrs A ieWtsobrp'
Mrs. l. 7. Tiffany. Mrs. o. ?. Zollikofer Ms
Jones Mrs. Robert f. Bonner. Mrs. f F Bush
nel Mrs O. Whiting. Mrs. J. G. Quimby. Mrs p
4 Richard, Mrs. = Wemple Mrs. p. p CLARK.
Mrs II. NJ Schienelin. Mrs. II. q. Campbell Mrs
=. Z sehmitts Mrs. B. Sachs Mrs. d. e Open
stein. Mrs D. Leventritt Mrs e. Comstock Mrs
a " Fletcher. Mrs. F. G. Vose and Mrs. j.