New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-08
HOUSEHOLD DIRECTOR.
Jfiss OLiUe DaUis's Neoo Office at
HeueSJey College.

Miss Olive Davis 5. E, wellesley Sc. OF Rocnes-
ter, N Y. has been appointed director OF heHs OF
residence at Wellesley College Miss Davis Is the
first incumbent OF this newly established ONCE
which viii doubtless grow eventually into dean
ship Of domestic administration, the officer In
cn!et viii exercise over all domestic matters the
game general oversight and control which dean
exercises ove- academic matters
TO fiji satisfactorily the position OF head OF ssch
department Of household administration the pre-
siding officer must needs know thoroughly all
branches of domestic science: must have prac-
teal acquaintance with house construction anu
furnishings with foods and the composition OF
menus; must have also the judgment and business
ability necessary for wise financial administration
and the tact, enthusiasm and personal insight
necessary for training others. She must know now
deal socially with students and how to tram her
subordinates IN this most difficult and delicate OF
tasks; she must likewise know how to train ser
wants, and how TO avoid the innumerable small
occasions OF friction which arise. especially among
nneducated parsons.
The equipment which Miss Davis has for this
work is the result OF years Of study. which, since
her college days. has been directed always toward
this one end-now economics. now household san-
nation now work with leading teachers of cooking,
now with physicians who have made detetics a
subject OF investigation. From the Rochester
Mechanics institute. where she had lectureS9n3lp
on household arts and household science MISS
sro. For three years she had charge OF a newly
opened college mouse Then seeGilng a S%Io the
management OF another dornitoTy; necssssI11ga
opened TO students when in q somewhat unllIlsne9
condition. so that, she herself says. she served
her first dinner TO a hundred persons when me
only furniture of my kitchen was a store" In the
autumn OF 1903 she opened another dormitory POM
s.roy Hall and the following January stun an
other, CazenOYe Hail. She has thus ADDED 70 an
her previously theoretical knowledge most IiDI
oush acquaintance with the practical ana oetaleO
difficulties which will face the subordinates whom
she employs. - =.
Discussing the creation OF this initiative once az
VaIie the professors most interested ID
The undertaking says: IT Is dlfhcult 10 oFeIIaIe
the varied Importance Of this new plan academy
cailv and socially It looks toward recognizing and
honoring the many sided ability needfui Tor eIectlte
and productive management or a hoosenolo- II -
OF the greatest Importance in the maintenance OF
healthful and right social conditions N coLIege e
houses with that peculiar OF respect which in
community of specialists is given only 10 me sPe
,jaIist Moreover financially related, as II is 10
a large percentage Of college expenditure, IL means
the lessening of unnecessary outlay ana the IaSess
return for every expended dollar Economically II
provides for the education Of both mlstresses ail9
maids. snd thus for the business orgaIhZatIo1 o.
tlat division OF human industry winch mas lone
been recognized the strength OF lndlYloualiSIn
.tOne sees everywhere in the country at large Cd
portunities for the application Of this sort OF
knowledge which is being brought out al Wellesley.
Not only colleges, hotels and such apartment houses
as are provided with restaurants are IN need OF
persons trained such attention as this but
houses FOR working women. need domestic man
ayers who shall appreciate the value, both physlo
logical and moral, of the best living conditions OF
sorts and shall know how tc provide with tht
eraI appreciation of the importance OF this new
movement AT wellesley has already been shown DH
the numerous letters OF inquiry concerning tht
movement which have been received.