New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-10
4 MODEL AGENCY.
IN attempt to Solce Seruant Prob
lem Produces Good Results.

So many fruitless attempts being made in
these days to solve the servant problem that the
public has grown suspicious all such enterprises
and will hardly consent even to hear about
them. Nevertheless while the world doubling
some really remarkable things have been accom-
plished in New-York along this line. These have
been done not in the name of philanthropy hui
in that of business. joint stock company paying
dividends just like any other stock company That
perhaps is for the success of the enter
prise Another is that IL has 10th masculine and
feminine brain behind il
Most attempts solve the servant problem
have been made by women alone says the woman
partner in this concern. a former settlement work
Il think that is why they failed. Women have
good ideas, but they haven't. rule. enough
business ability to carry them out. They need a
mans help for this.
THE idea at the back OF work originated,
believe with myself. 1t occurr ed to me that there
were thousands of good servants in the country
and a corresponding number of considerable en-
ployers, and that an employment agency which
could bring these classes together. leaving all
other aspects OF the question out of consideration,
would be doing vast amount Of good This idea
never could have carried out alone. but my part
supplied my deficiencies
This agency. for such IL is, does not theorize
about domestic problem. 1t does not take sides
either with the mistress the maid. 1t simply
takes conditions they and makes the best OF
them Nevertheless it is not hard 10 detect IN the
ocaoe an undercurrent Of partially for the maid
The girls are the weaker says the masculine
partner. land stand up for them every time
don't think all of them together have lost SO
through US since we started If money is justly
due them we can generally be depended on TO get
II. and take great pleasure in doing it
The work of the agency is done through an or
eanszation to which both employers and employees
belong. The employers called subscribers and
the employees derive many substantial Dement'S
from the club IN addition to their places Their
clr AZ he 6 always
and much used Il social rendezvous, as well as
for lectures. concerts and meetings. Afternoons
off are often spent here and the girl who lives IN
Jamaica or Staten Island finds that she can see
great deal more of her friends Harlem than be-
fore they had central meeting paes; l df BOOKS
and parers piano, comfortable chairs ana sooo
The club has sick benefit fund which has been
used among other things. send one member to
Adirondacks to be cured of tuberculosis ana 10
proyide treatment for q victim of alcoholism. In
one case a sick member was supported for months.
and with returning health she IS now repaSing the
Members in financial straits are also aided a
ment for the summer in a family Relying upon
their word. she stored her machine and sent all
i hs aSrosd TO TSe FAMILY suddenly changed their
Ief1 xshout penny She had not even enough
TO get her machine out of storage: Inc elun o al
and she able return TO her old occupation.
n hs Sg club aois e gFeaf Ten ny at I ri e
able to do a great deal Of good: ,,,
Another thing IL does IS TO meet members WHO
come to the city as strangers their baggage
and give them the address of a comfortable and
respectable boarding house.
1t is not easy get into this club and once IN K
is necessary keep up to the club standards in
order to remain there. The girl who breaks her
word is stricken from the membership list instant
II, and subscribers like the girls have to submit
references, and treated in exactly the same way
Girls are usually introduced by members and as
the members feel that they responsible for any
one they introduce they are very careful about the
characters of their protegees.
The members all wear pretty enaInelled pin and
are as proud of it a college sophomore of his
fraternity pin 1t is nothing unusual for a sub
scriber recognize this pin in street car and go
and speak the
The business methods of this agency are both
unusual and interesting. Its subscribers do not
give references to employees. but fill out printed
blanks supplied by the agency. These are kept on
file and with photograph of the employee. give a
fairly accurate idea of her personality and capac-
.ty. The reference given by the employer TO the
employee the agency regards most unreliable, be