The Washington herald., 1909-06-08
FROM WOMANS
POINT OF VIEW

Ile NUMBER OF apartment houses Sp-lEs-
ing up all about Us Is amazing. yet they
ofrer the only solution 10 the servant
problem Maids for general homework
are growing scarcer every day. and wages
FOR such work have already passed be-
yond the means OF ordinary households.
There used 70 be workers in ali families
o. comfortable incomes because there
were plenty OF them here and more arriv-
ing by every steamer. Then there was
the poor farm on which 20 draw and IN
sututions for unfortunate women OF al
kinds.
There are stiu the institutions. but the
inmates have a fun sense of the present
cash value OF domestic labor There are
green girls 10 be broken IN. but that oc-
cupation Is neither pleasant nor prcft-
able. They want pTeposterious wages be
fore they learn the business. and viii
snap at the first ofer that comes 20
them without even the courtesy Of con-
sulting their employers. The modern fat
IS built with a view % easing the burden
or housekeeping. There are only the
rooms TO care for. all on one floor. A
Janitor looks after the halls and does odd
jobs by the hour or piece for reasonable
pay. The floors are finished for rugs, and
laundresses and cleaning women can be
hired by the hour.
BY means OF the gas range the trouble
and dit Of fuel and ashes are eliminated.
There are homes where the important
meal Of the day. the dinner. is cooked
by an experienced woman, who spends
three hours each day n preparing the
dinner and clearing up after II. washing
al the dishes Of the day. That costs no
more than a maid who leaves one 10 get
the Thursday dinner and Sunday night
supper. and there Is a saving on food
bills. a room for the maid. and the sup
plies 10 keep her comfortable The rest
ot the work IS no more than the mistress
OF an establishment often does when she
keeps one maid.
I am inclined 70 doubt the excuse Of
! fered for existing conditions IN the kitch-
en-. Our life has not the difficulties OF ten
or more years ago. Modern Improvements
have simplihed life. and I know OF no
household where the cooking IS more
I than a fractional part oS that done by
I our ancestors. We do not entertain as
/ frequently or as lavishly, and generally
I the caterer is called upon to contribute
literally 20 the bin OF fare. Housework
( Is unpopular and that affects both wages
and the quality Of the work.
A general maid IN a family OF two
adults. with every convenience. good
wages, numerous presents and Savors,
every evening 20 herself. all table deli
| cacies which are prepared for the family,
and a very comfortable room, is seriously
Considering a change 20 the linen room OF
g hotel where wages are some lower and
/ conditions Inferior. All sewing IS done
by artificial light in a room without win
dows, and she is already troubled BY her
eyes. On one day she VIII have to work
/ from IN the morning TIL high noon.
sewing, but viii have the afternoon %
| herself At at night she would have 70
go on duty IN the linen room and remain
I tlI midnight. The next day she would
work as many hours. but 90 on duty later
and have a part OF tbs evening 10 herself
with every other Sunday or as much OF
1t as she has now. Her food would be
| good and abundant, but plain I fail q
see why she even considers the change
/ for the advantages are all with her pres
/ ent situation, but the chances are about
/ even. I should say. BETTY BRADEEN.