New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-27
THE WAY OUT
HO7c Some WOmen IRE SOlU-
;ng the Domestic Problem.

The scene was not an uncommon one
an untidy kitchen at 70 o'clock in the even
ing. q sink full Of unwashed dishes and
various other indications that the cook
had left with the impetuOsity cooks fire.
ouently show. At a table heaped with
newly washed clothes the mistress Of tho
house. with a big apron slipped over her
pretty dinner gown. stood sprinkling them,
rolling each garment into a compact little
bundle. and slowing them away in has
ket. Her friend and house guest. who had
come into the kitchen 20 help, watched the
mistress with admiring eyes
How is IL. Frances. that you do these
things so easily and naturally she de-
manded How did YOU learn I don't
mind homework a blinded. think II is
rather fun-but | always make such mess
of il. Do YOU mean 10 say that YOU are
going TO put this kitchen in order before
YOU 20 10 bed. and that that sprinkllng is
a preliminary 70 ironing yourself in case
new maid doesn't appear in the morning?
We had about the same educational least.
We went 70 the same finishing school-and
T know I didn't learn 10 iron clothes and
wash uu a greasy sink from Nine KS
course IN domestic science"
Il learned 10 do these things long before
T knew YOU anime ks Molly said the
mistress. as she Tipped a shower Of water
Cextrously over starched petticoat.
You've forgotten what / told YOU about
nv early girlhood-how il was spent IN
Arizona. where We could pet no servants
except an occasional Chinese. My mother
was a perfect housekeeper-the Kind who
sir1pIy wouldn't have things 20 otherwise
than right-and as she was not very strong
nv sister and had TO do q great deal OF
Homework Mother taught us 10 DO II
we'll and we were accustomed 10 the
thought Of gantlewomen doing homework.
T suppose that is the reason I don't mind
doing II now # It is necessary
This woman was lucky. Many young
hcusekeeper who starts married life on
modest income has occasion often 70 be-
moan the fact that she knows less about
the running Of her kitchen than the aver
are incompetent help. Maids will leave at
inopportune moments and they will often
refuse 70 do work that seems necessary to
the right running Of the household. II is
rather humilating to even young house
keeper 10 81. still in a crisis OF this sort
letting what the maid can not or will not
leaving. living in discomfort till the arrival
OF the next one who Will probably be dis 1
couraged and perhaps driven away by the
amount OF back work 10 be accomplished +
Yet. sit still she must, unless she can make /
herself independent by knowing how to do /
things herself
There IS certain group OF young sub
urban wives who have decided that they
will no longer be the sport Of the domestic
situation. and one and all report that it is
astonishing how easy 1t is 10 do things
when the mind is set on it.
Il am tired Of sulky Mondays" one OF
these young housekeepers said, and tired
of stinting myself IN clean clothes in order
10 placate the maid. SO now it is under
stood that my lingerie blouses and corset
covers and nightgoWns are not 10 be in
GUIDED i'm the family laundry. ! don't send
them out: that would be ruinous to my
purse and to my pretty clothes. ! do them
myself. I have an electric iron and a small
IRONING board that no one else is allowed
10 touch. I do my bit OF washing after
the maid has left the kitchen and iron it
In the early morning OF course, ! use
pure soap, so washing doesn't injure my
hands"
Another young woman Is cooking the
Inner on the maids regular day out
Il make IL a point Of having IL as good
pr better than the dinners she gives US"
says this energetic housewife, and I wash
he dishes afterward and leave a tidy
,ltchen That's only fair-and 1t has
good moral effect on the maid, too. have
he children help me. and | think it's good
or them"
Service is growing more and more ex-
)ensive in America This fact presses
iardest on women who have been we'll
aised and extensively educated and who
With this preparation FOR life marry men
With small incomes They must live nicely,
or this Is the only kind OF living they un. ,
lerstand But with so many mechdnical
leviCes for easing household LABOR these
-oung matrons are convinced that any in |
elngent woman can conquer the situation
Without maMng a slave OF herself In any ,
vent. they say, this seems the only solu-
ion Of the problem IN the present stage or
human development