New-York tribune., 1907-01-13

Problem Independent
hat Is the

Apparently a problem is opening for the
independent woman who desires to win her own
way in the world. What is to become of her
when she is obliged to step aside because Of
age and through her independence has lost her
foothold in some home? Woman, as sex, has
been working long enough now to bring this
question the front. Mrs. Gabrielle Stewart
Mulliner. a lawyer, OF this city, has discovered
in her practice that there is such problem
here, and she is trying to find some solution
that she can offer to those who find themselves
face TO face with it,
In the evolution Of ths question,
which was started when education first
permitted to women. and the early colleges and
schools were opened to them to give some out
look beyond their domestic duties" said she.
there have been many unexpected and inter-
esting developments. One that is only now max
ing itself apparent is the disposal Of the inde-
pendent women wage earners who find them
selves after life Of independence pushed aside
for other and younger women and without the
means of making livelihood
In my own acquaintance there are about one
hundred such who are the natural out
come OF the breaking up of the home in which
in the last generation there was centre about
which revolved sisters daughters. aunts. cousins
or other relations who earned their living by
being useful in the home making. and who had
the house. in those days man was expected
TO have a home and to support the women in it,
He probably thought that he did actually sup
port any additional member OF the family who
for her board and lodging, was like a second
mother to the children and did snare OF the
houseworlz otherwise apportioned to servants
When. however the woman relation started
out 20 dollars and TO pay her board the
servant girl question became aggressive, for
the reason. think. that a paid servant could
not I'll the place made vacant by the willing
relative And that meant in many instances the
breaking up Of the home life and the moving
Into small cpartments
SFrom the standpoint OF the woman relative
fl looked very much brighter, have no doubt.
for time. She learned all the various pro-
fessions and trades. and earned enough to pay
her board in a house where she had no care.
She was free and independent, and that was
good as long as it lasted We have only now
begun to see what the next turn Of the wheel
viii bring as the system Of Independent life for
women is only now rounding UP.
The women OF independence, whether In trade
OF. profession have been free lances Just long
enough to grow old, and by scores they are
arriving at the time when the next generation
is coming to take their places. They find
themselves dismissed from their places because
they are not so active they were, because
new methods are learned by the newer employees
because they not attractive to look
upon the younger women, or because they
show signs of tire inactivity. or nerves, or be-
cause of other reasons. The reasons may or may
not be arbitrary, but the fact remains that the
older women are forced out from their positions
And when, with their small savings. they set
about to find other work they discover that they
are not wanted
"In a short time their savings dwindle and
they find themselves without the ability TO pay
the weekly demand for board. They are asked
TO leave to make way for better paying boarders
and before they realize quite what has happened
they are actually beggars. All the ignis fatuus
OF independence. of freedom from home ties, of
ability to buy ready made dresses and restau-
rant food comes to nothing in the face of the
actual result OF the system which not only allows
women to be pushed into the world but forces
them in.
Il have seen this tragedy enacted so frequently
in the last year or two that il ceases to be
individual, but rather class distinction.
THE appalling thing about IL is that II faces
every woman who has not her esta blished home
connections where there is a bread winner maxi
ing IL possible for her to earn her living by do
Inestic arts, where she is subject TO disns-
sal or the whm of higher up. The
most Independent woman who is earning her own
living by her own efforts is coming TO the same
crossroad, and viii find that she is not able to
earn her living in competition with the younger
home of her own. or forms family connection
with some other persons home in which she
makes herself good other than by paying
board she will also meet the conditions pre-
sented to others. 1t is difficult to cite instances
without infringing upon what is known as privi-
legged communications, and know that the stories
OF the lives OF many women have been told to
ms very freely because my profession binds
10 respect condolences. There are, however a
few instances which can be told without harm.
Il know Of an elderly woman who was one OF
the pioneer women in the employment of the
a DIDiiC bureaus.
Even before the days OF stenographers she
taking charge Of the correspondence of the Office
small salary. carrying the work of the in
cUrnbent of the Office who was handsomely paid.
Later she learned stenography, and has for
many years held her position. Last summer
heard from herself her story, telling of her life
OF economy, living in one room and enjoying her
independence. getting her own meals a small
gas fame. and so on, free and independent. The
work Of the bureau has changed in character
somewhat; others have come into it. and she
sees her discharge in the future, as she
confesses that she is kept matter of
courtesy largely and that that will not continue
long She has not beer able 10 lay by more
than pittance in savings, and she is worried as
TO her future. About week after she does
not meet her rent she will join the list OF women
without home.
Another woman I knew was a school teach
er who had received Of the small salaries
considered by the city to be enough to live on
She had grown old In the service and had been
dfaudissed. Her savings were nearing the epd