The Muskogee cimeter. [volume] (Muskogee, Indian Territory, Okla.) 1901-19??, 1907-11-01

has found In the last two years that
the servant question has grown more
annoying than even the increasing
price OF groceries. Six or seven
years ago 1t was possible to employ
negro servants at reasonable prices.
Now, however, the negro servant de-
mands twice as much as was asked
in earlier years, and the cook refuses
to do the washing and the laundress
refuses to do the cooking, making
the increase about four times greater
than the original wages.
The demand for cotton pickers, and
the high price paid for picking, en-
abling women and even girls to make
as much in two days as formerly they
earned In a week Is largely respon.
sible for the changed condition. In
some of the larger towns In the new
state negro domestics have formed q
union" in an effcrt to maintain a
scale Of wages. The minimum price
Is about fifteen cents an hour, in
cluding meals. Many times 1t Is diff
ficulty to get domestics, even at this
price, and housewives unaccustomed
to such work, have been compelled in
many instances this fall to stand over
their own washtubs.
But q small ray Of light has shown
in the darkness, that may lead to an
abundance of reliable help at reason
able prices. Scores Of Japanese labor.
ers came to the cotton fields Of Okla
hama tbic fa11 rrhay o,a
and eager to learn American ways.
A plan Is under way to induce these
men to remain in Oklahoma during
the winter months as home servants.
Most Of them have to be taught how
to do laundry work, and cook, but
they are quick to learn, and after
being taught make admirable SER
wants. This plan has been tried in
many Nebraska towns with success.
The Japanese field laborer in Ne.
braska, upon changing from feld work
to house work, Is satisfied with SIS
month and his board.
The contracting agent for these
Japanese in Oklahoma lives at Okla
homa City, and has been asked to es-
tablish an agency for Japanese SER
wants in Oklahoma.
So many inquiries are received at
the office of the governor OF Okla
homa, concerning the legal fees that
may be charged by notaries public,
that Governor Frantz lately issued
public letter Of information. Many OF
the inquiries were complaints against
the charging of excessive fees. Gov.
ernor Frantz said:
The Fee and Salary act Of 1897 Is
the act fixing the compensation to
which notaries public are entitled for
services, and specifically set forth in
Section 80 of Chapter Is, Session
Laws of 1897. Section 80 reads as fol.
lows:
For protest and record of the same
25 cents.
For each notice OF protest, 10 cents.
For certificate and seal, 25 cents.
For all other services, the same
fees as are allowed to the clerk of the
district court for like services.
The attorney general, In an opin-
ion to me under date of January IS.
1907, reaffirms an opinion by former
Attorney p. c. Simons, to the effect
that the statute is imperative, and
that notaries must not charge fees
in excess OF those fixed by Section 80
Of Chapter Is, Session Laws Of 1897.
In one complaint which recently
reached this office. 1t appears that q
notary charged the sum Of $3.50 pro-
test fees on check for SO. when the
proper charge, according to the stat