The sun., 1908-12-06

dated the days Of the servant problem
In its present serious aspect, but these
careful housewives recognized disturb
ing influences below stairs and built
their society TO meet them.
The society still occupies its original
cheerful floor in one of the brownstone
fronts which were once the glory Of
Fifty-ninth street. Signs in English and
German identity it for the passerby.
tailor occupies the first floor and up one
flight one comes upon scene which it is
difficult to realize is within a stones
throw of the Plaza.
Except for the presence Of mistress
and maid deep in German definitions Of
household virtue there Is little to suggest
the business OF employment. The mid
Victorian mirrors. the generous bowl Of
gold fish, the cross stitch antima CAESARS
and the heavy brussels rugs give 1t much
more the appearance Of a parlor out Of
"Fraulein Schmidt and Mr.. Anstruther.'
young German frau in black cir
culates from room to room with the air
of daughter of the house passing cakes
at kaffee kiatsch, while motherly
looking, woman seated at the desk per-
director. Mrs. Schmidt was perfectly
willing to talk about woman's club
whose only aim was the comfort Of the
home. Her only regret was that her
English was not perfect.
According to Mrs. Schmidt. the secret
OF happiness among the German house.
wives Is deep seated objection to a con-
tinual change of maids
THE comfort Of the household depends
more upon keeping servants for q long
time than upon anything else, she said;
| so we reward the maids who stay iE
their places When a girl has worked
for one Of our members for two years
abe ia presented at the annual meeting
with handsome gold brooch in the form
| OF bee
Mrs. Schmidt displayed one Of these
emblems OF industry, W .ich was engraved
on the back with the stamp OF the society
and the name Of the prize winner. After
servant is entitled to wear the golden
bee she receives additional premiums
| every two years il she still continues in
her place. This year $1,000 was spent in
prizes. Rings, bracelets and ten dollar
gold pieces were presented to the older
servants.
you see. girl will work very hard
! to earn one Of these Mrs. Schmidt said.
! ut makes her very proud and happy.
/ 1t is a recommendation in itself. It is
I like a diploma from training scho) )l.
The girls make kind OF fraternity among
themselves.
Just the other day Swiss girl who is
n cook for one of our members came and
tod me that she had been offer ed IS more
a month to take another place. but she
would not 60, because next yeai II she
stays where she is she, will get the six
! years premium and In the long run it will
be W orth more to her than this Offer.
You see. ! impress upon my girls that
| il is the steady workers W no make most in
the end. You can see for yourself. Rose
Hahn, our Oldest golden bee. who got the
twelve years premium this year. began
at $1s a month and she in now earning
| $50 in the same Dlao0p
Mrs. Schmidt admitted that It is not
always possible to place a girl satisfactor-
! lily the first time.
They are very human" she declared.
-and they will do well in one place
where they will fail in another. / al
ways give them three trials and some
! times more.
when a girl is In a strange country
| without friends to help her it goes to my
heart and | do my best for her 1t is
not always the girls fault IL she does
not do well. Sometimes she is too sick,
or il she has just come over too home
sick to work.
aOne girl tried in three places. She
would do all right at first and then get
slack. She was good girl and l was
sure she did not mean to be lazy. 30 l
sent her to the doctor to see il she was
we'll. Now she is in the hospital. where
she has been operated on for turnorf
which had been taking all her strength
Another girl l am getting a place for
in the South because she had such colds
| last winter that she could not keep place
and the doctor said she must have warmer
climate"
Once a girl has earned golden bee she
has q recognized standing with the soci-
ETY.. II after that she has a grievance
| against her mistress she can bring it
before the board of directors for settle
ment This privilege is granted once
year, but according to Mrs. Schmidt
! it is seldom claimed. because the girls
come and talk about it to her first and
usually settle IL out Of court.
| Since it's start. twelve years ago, Ameri-
can as well as German women have been
admitted to membership in the society.
which now has 800 members Tho annual
dues Of SO entitle member to the services
Of the society as often as desired. The
president OF the society is Mrs. F. Won
Pretzen Barber; the vice-president, Mrs.
! A. Won Briesen.