The Washington herald., 1912-12-29
SERVANT PROBLEM INVOLVES A RECOGNITION OF RIGHTS

multiplies its income with each success
full change.
At the headquarters Of the German
Housewives Society a careful record Is
kept Of each girl, giving her name and
age, the name Of Der present employer,
the reason why she left her former en-
ployer and every conceivable bit Of in
formation regarding her. Should she
be discharged from a position for any
grave cause the matter would be thor
oughly investigated. II her dismissal
were found to be justified she would
either be given another chance or must
forfeit her right to obtain employment
from the society.
Tact is a great adjuster OF difficult
ties. Say, for instance. the girl had
been dismissed on a charge OF imper-
thence. without further friction she
would be placed elsewhere. She would
be watched and upon the way she con-
Quoted herself would her future with
the society depend. II complaint
against her were made for a similar
offense, the statement of the first EN-
ployer would be confirmed. II, how
ever. her second employer should find
her respectful and upon inquiry would
state that she found no cause for COM
plant, a small note would probably be
made Of the fact that the first employer
evidently experienced difficulty in deal
ing with her servants. and this would
not be lost sight of in the future supply
Of maids to her.
As / have said before, the vexations
Of the present servant question are in
great part due to the conflicting views
which are held on the subject OF the
law in such cases. Not long ago the
Legal Aid Society published a valuable
booklet along these lines. 1t was COM
piled by Miss Helen Arthur nd'George
H. EngIehard, two well-known New
York attorneys. and is authoritative in
its handling Of the subject. Those who
are concerned with the servant problem
and wish to know something of the
rights of both sides may find interest
In reading some extracts from this
compilation.
Discharge of Servant.
When the employment is for a def
mite time, as for a week, or a month
the rule is as follows:
| II the servant is discharged before
the end of the time. without just cause
he is entitled to full wages for the en-
tire week or month. II the servant is
discharged before the end of the time
| for just cause, he is not entitled to any
wages, not even for the part of the
week or month during which he ha.
| worked. But no self-respecing employ.
er will take advantage of this Iega
right and accept service without max.
ing due recompense for value actually
received.
The causes for which a servant EN-.
ployed for definite time, may, prior e
the expiration OF that time, be dis.
charged by the employer. are, generally
speaking. such acts Of behavior on the
part Of the servant as will make hin
unfit to perform properly the work fol-
which he is employed, or will render hi.
| ItIcnllOn NdlueIcSS VI uaHSeEOus- SOLlt
Of those causes are: Incompetence
habitual neglect Of duty, whether due
to defect Of character, sickness or stu
pidity. unprovoked negligence, or dis
respect to the employer his family anC
friends; disobedience to REASONABLE.
orders or rules. dishonesty. drunken
ness, hostility to the employers inter,
ests, untruthfulness.
The following do not constitut,
causes for which a servant may be dis
charged: Refusal to perform unreason