The Washington herald., 1909-08-22

ArDlter, care Inc washington Herald
A DISCOURAGED Housekeeper' in let
ter too long and disjointed TO quote. asks
the Arbiter 10 say something on the serv-
ant question which she announces. and
which everyone will admit. is the most
serious one that confronts the housewife
OF to-day and which will be stumbling
block for her successors. since there
seems no promise OF amelioration OF pres
ent conditions.
AS usual with all mooted subjects. this
one has given rise to many theories.
some OF which have been tried without
gratifying results. and some Of which
are still IN the trying. In this as In all
other situations with which 1t comes in
touch, the baleful influence OF the plu-
tocrat is most TO blame for the present
debasement and corruption Of domestic
servants-these adjectives are used advis-
edly. for when a person works merely
for hire. merely for what he can get out
OF his work" he Is debased and when
he is 6isloyal to HIS employer. unfaithful
TO his interests. actuated solely by the de-
sire for self-advancement and uses his
position 90 secure the same, he is cor
rupt. Dignity of labor. work for works
sake loyalty and faithfulness. are old
fashioned terms which have long been
superseded by those more in harmony
with our commercial age.
But what can one expect? A plutocrat
comes to town whose motto, Is, because
he sold his own soul for a mess OF pot
tage. every man has his price, and
with a purse bulging with gold he seeks
10 despoil his neighbors. He needs first
or oil thoroughly trained servants TO give
him standing and incidentally TO train
him. so he looks about him for the best
20 be found and having found them he
seeks to corrupt them by higher wages.
He does not, perhaps. succeed at first,
but he never wearies of the assault. and
so with clever sophlstries and promises
OF wages three or four times what their
service is worth he finally succeeds in
Turing them away. IL IS obvious servants
sc acquired soon lose their sense OF honor
end begin by exploiting their master. He
Is a good thing. they discover. and set
about making the most Of that good
thing"
1t Is needless TO recount the vices OF
this class of servants. the servants OF
the very rich. They are too well known,
have lately been too much discussed 70
need describing II Is enough that they
follow the example Of their masters,
their vices are soon communicated TO
members Of their own class, and thus
the corruption spreads. II is. doubtless.
natural that those who are employed by
men whose wealth is measured by tens
or millions, who are richer than many
crowned heads. and could buy up princi-
palities, should have a different stand
ard from those who are employed in
hr hrrF 90
posses little logic, as a rule. and occupy
ing the same positions. they cannot un-
derstand why they should not have the
Same remuneration and perogatives The
men and women who serve families Of
relatively small incomes cannot under
stand why they should not have the
same pay as their cousins who work for
the plutocrats. the same hours and the
same gorgeous liveries. They do not
take into consideration that they are
rarely as well trained. nor is as much
expected Of them, for the plutocrat
above all else, demands a quid pro quo
for his money.
have case in mind A lady in the
West End paid her man Of all work $50
a month rather exorbitant amount
when his skin and fitness were consid-
duties. she called him % account. He
frankly admitted his delinquencies. but
asked what she expected from man 20
whom she paid only $50 month. why
! have q cousin" he announced, who
works for Mr. Moneybags. who gets $50
a month. though he don't do half what
1 have TO-"
Il have no doubt Of that" replied his
mistress, but he is doubtless thoroughly
trained in his duties and to be relied
upon, which you are not"
But the man insisted ne could do as
much and do It as well as his lucky
cousin. and finally became so excited
over the discussion that he informed his
mistress he was not appreciated. very
much put upon. and so was unwilling 10
continue M his present scanty wages.
IT will tell you what I will do. Ed
ward, said his mistress. IF you viii do
your work for one day exactly as
have taught you 10 do IT,. IL YOU viii
take the responsibility Of everything
downstairs so that ! may be relieved
from every care: II for one whole day
you make no mistake and 1 can point
out nothing you have neglected, / will
give ypu exactly what your cousin gets
at Mr.. Moneybags, SO a month"
Edward was delighted II certainly
can do that thing. miss I certainly can"
he gleefully replied. grinnng from ear
70 ear. And he went of TO the kitchen !
where for the next hour he waXed elo- |
quent over his good fortune and his sue !
cess In bringing the madame 10 time"
Meanwhile a furious storm came up. 70
which Edward paid no heed being too
enraptured with his own voice. But
suddenly the bell from the drawing-room |
NO mo nfn
tened 10 answer IL with a new dignity |
due 20 the advancement Of his wages |
The sight that met his eyes was dis |
couraging. 10 say the least and the air /
castle he bad been building TO his own /
and his fellow-servants' delectation fell /
with a crash. for the teak wood table /
which stood In front Of an open window /
with its furnishings OF valuable photo /
graphs, embroidered cover, and bric-a-
brac was drenched. and the rug under /
meath IL sopplng. He had been weighed |
and found wanting There was no use !
'or him TO explain with the evidence OF /
his incompetency before him.
His mistress pointed TO her ruined
valuables. What about your advance in
wages Edward?" she asked Those
things that have been ruined by the rain
cost more than three months salary
would amount TO-" But we have nothing
to do with the finale Of the story.
Enough has been told to illustrate ne
point.
The plutocrat, especially the newly ar
rived plutocrat, is the most selfish men,
Der OF society. He recognizes no duty
70 his neighbor; he Is not his brothers
keeper. He Jared for himself: let them
fare for themselves. II he chooses to
put fictitious value on unframed labor.
who is TO prevent? This is a free coun-
try, and II. by his methods. by the
autocracy OF wealth. by his indifference