New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-04

into more general use. The wages OF the maid who
lives away from the house must be few dollars a
week higher. and It is probably cheaper for the
employer to board and house them. but it certainly
solves some troublesome problems"
Miss Dreier IS of many investigators who be
lieves that the average hired girl does get
enough OF the right sort Of food. The girls them
selves frequently complain of their treatment in this
respect. Economical housewives buy q couple OF
pounds OF steak, instance. for a family OF six
eight. II the appetites OF the family good,
If unexpected guest drops in. there Is little
but scraps left for the cook maid Of all work.
In some small families the maids complain that
while there is plenty to eat. the food Is not the
substantial sort which they accustomed and
which they need. They object to making meal on
salads and sweets when they are used to beef and
potatoes.
In well known boarding house where many
servants employed, in the purchase Of steaks.
chops and roasts no provision Is made for the ser
wants. The woman who runs the place says that
her live well OF the scraps, and II the
boarders eat too heartily there is always plenty
OF bacon in the refrigerator and the servants are
welcome 70 fall back that The social worker
who told the Tribune reporter OF this place said
that che left the boarding house soon after she
found It out. she could not bear the thought Of
the unde1fed servants who had nothing but bacon
on which to fall back If she heartily and left
them scraps.
One Of the most striking Of an unreason-
able discharge is recounted by Miss Kellor
woman refused TO keep cook her by an
employment agency. The girl had good references
and the rnatron asked her reasons for dis
charging her
She refused tc smoke cigarettes" was the
startling reply.
What has that to Go with it?'' the agent asked
!. Well, smoke myself. and l have to have some
one TO lay the smoke to when my husband smells
II"
A few weeks ago the mistress of well-to-do
household appeared before Commissioner Heating
and demanded the punishment of an uptown en-
ployment agent She said the agent had sent two
girls. neither Of whom stayed than day or
two. She had demanded the return of her fee by
the agent and had been refused
The will have TO be investiga ted" she
was told
What is there 10 investigator she demanded.
do you TO say you don't take my word for
It? 1 tell you the girls left for reason at all
and this agency should be punished not return
Ing my money"
She away muttering about Tsmmany red
tape. and declared that she knew she would get
no satisfaction.
of the case. The first girl to the house was
found and ask her reasons for leaving.
II hired for upstairs girl" she said ct
a large family, with five six children. and
many sleeping rooms to care for. In addition TO
that, was supposed to keep the windows clean.
The first morning when l came ont of ny little
room found twelve pairs of shoes in row
in front of my door When the mistress
asked her why the shoes were there.
d" You know very well why those shoes there
she said You are TO clean them up brush them,
polish them, and oil the heavy ones
She took me TO the basement and showed mo
where the brushes and backing to be
found Il took me most of the morning and the
unusual work made my arms so sore that could
hardly get through my work. One day enough
for me and left didn't hire out to be boot
black"
The second girl sent told the story about