Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

In addition to this reference system
a registry is also maintained. In this
list are kept the names of men and wOm-
en- who will undertake either small jobs
an hour or more. In this way house
keeper discovering that her maid has not
appeared can telephone to the office, find
out the name of some one capable OF
performing the kind Of work required
and most probably secure her temporary
services. In the same way doorbe!ls can
be mended, buffers obtained for an even
ing function or some additional cleaning
done.
During the investigation made by the
alliance along various lines in connection
with domestics it was
kaulCS OF found that the unsatis-
nn....x: factory conditions could
be traced to a few major
faults. These. according to resolutions
drawn UP by the society, were inadequate
training and lack of proper relations be-
tween employer and enploye, lack of
reference system, lack of proper recog-
milton of long terms of service. and n
sanitary lodgings. with attendant harm
full influences upon health, morals and
emciency for those who must lodge away
from the house of the employer. The
training school was the remedy for the
first fault, and the reference and regis
try system the remedy for the second. AS
for the last two, the alliance recon-
menoed the establishment of an honor
roll, Whereon the names Of those efficient
and faithful servants be placed, to be
recognized by both employer and alliance
In the matter of lodging the EMPLOYER
was urged to acauaint herself with the
housing conditions OF her servant, if she
lived away from the house in which she
worked.
Another. of the activities with which the
alliance is concerned is the inspection of
city markets. This work comes under the
direction OF Miss Robertson, chairman of
the committee on civics and sanitation
MRS. Richard wainwright is a member
Of the committee, and one of the most
active workers in this connection A cam
patgn has been carried on in this respect
to certain extent at least, obtained. An
otner thing In this same direction which
mas been taken up is opposition to the
use or scales on which the figures can be
seen only by the person weighing. Scales
In which the figures are visible on both
sides are urged by the alliance Then,
too, 1t has done much toward endeavor,ng
to nave bread wrapped before it leaves
the bakeries, and thus insuring it's clean
Illness when 1t reaches the home. This.
however. has met with opposition from
the bakers themselves who claim that
the bread cannot be wrapped when it is
warm: also objection is raised on account
Of the increased cost.
An interesting line of investigation.
which has been taken up by the alliance,
Is that being carried on
Industrial by Mrs: Sarah Keen
Insurance. Lambs committee ON . con,
insurance conditions. Industrial insur-
ance Is the name by which that insur-
ance is known which is held by the ma
JoritS Of colored servants. For premiums
varying from to so cents week there
are q number of insurance companies
which issue health and death policies to
those domestics. The idea of the in
vestigatfon is to inquire into the honesty
of the companies and on the part of the
servants, too. Cases have come to the
knowledge of the alliance where COM
panies have refused payment on sup
posedly good policies, and also of cases
where servants by feigning sickness have
secured money under false pretenseS.
The Housekeepers' Alliance has
membership at the present time of about
100. That means that there are hum
dred homes In Washington where domeS-
tic science problems are faced and
studied, and in which the question of
lettering conditions is being solved. The
membership dues are 81 a year, while
s. is the fee for sustaining member
and $25 for honorary membership. Out
side of the dues and the proceeds obtain
ed from the annual sale or other form
Of entertainment the alliance receives
no funds. At the present time the only
paid officer is Miss Florence p Buck
ingham, who is the secretary in charge
Of the reference circle data.
The 1811-12 program includes the six
meetings which are held from November
to May, inclusive, each year. At these
meetings addresses are made by members
upon subjects in which the alliance is
most actively interested.
During the past three years classes
in domestic science have been carried
on by Miss Emma S. Jacobs, director of
domestic science In the public schools,
solely for the members of the alliance.
This year, however, the work has been
the class will be resumed later.
Practically the same women are con-
nected with the alliance today who join
ed during its infancy. The first presi-
L. Cole. who held the chair two terms.
Miss Ellen Marshall Rugg followed her.
and has since then been the president.
this being her third term. Miss Ellen
A. VintOn was one OF the most active
workers in organizing the alliance, and
is now heading the group of pioneers
undertaking the reference circle work.
Among the women who are actively as
ISOLATED with the work being done by the
alliance are Mrs. Robert Nj. La Toilette
Mrs. Harvey w. Wiley, Mrs. II. b. F..
mcfarland. Mrs Emile Berliner, Mrs
r. Dana Durand, Mrs. Asher Z. Hines.
Miss Bessy Kibby, Mrs. +. +. Leupp. Mrs.
!. Nota McGill, Mrs. Elizabeth Samp-
son. Mrs. o. H. Tittman, Mrs. Richard
WAINWRIGHT. Mrs. NJ K. Yoakum, Mr. w.
d. Rigeiow. Mrs. r. B. Bradford, Mrs.
w. p. Stafford, Mrs. Mary A. Totten
and Mrs. William e. Andrews