New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-02
UNION FOR HoUSEKEEPERS
Correspondent Urges That Mistresses
of Servants Band Together.
,ditor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor or The Tribune
Sir: The articles on the servant ques-
ton appearing from time to time In various
magazines and newspapers are interesting,
but they do not touch the core OF the sub
ject-that IS, the actual hardships that
young mothers and persons of moderate
means endure In their efforts to keep UP
home.
The true solution seems to be, as Mrs
james suggests, that women should band
together to protect each other by refusing
Lnearned wages or references, exactinS
faithful and thorough service, respectful
and honorable conduct, etc. This, In time,
must benefit the young mothers who, being
already overburdened, cannot be expected
TO take a firm stand. Their hands are tied
by the needs Of those dependent on them
for caro- and happiness. But women NJ the
head or small families. the kind that maids
are always on the lookout for, are freer,
and they could take the lead In forming
such an organization.
They could exact definite written agree
ment, witnessed, II wise to do so. they
could give bonuses for long and faithful
service, and the usual weekly outings ana
yearly vacations, at full pay. etc. They
could study the French and German sys-
TENS 80 detect what injustices TO either
side our own contains and TO ma ne"
ideas. They could establish training
schools everywhere similar to those abroad
in which the servants take course after
course in perfecting themselves, beginning
always with the general knowledge OF the
general houseworker. These schools might
int gNh
nurses This should. In time. help every
one mistress and maid, alike.
Tho present attitude of servants, generally
speaking, Is arrogant, and comes from the
Inadequate number Of competent ones 10
be had and their consequent power. 10
counterfeit this, the supply should De
brought I'D as nearly as possible TO the
demand: There can be no doubt that ser
wants were a dowutrodden class In the
past and even generation ago they hao
TO submit to many dlscomforts and indig-
mites. But all that is changed now, ny
their own protests and efforts and one
cannot wonder II the pendulum has SwunS
too far and II they have become, in turn
oppressive.
IL Is for u, to combine now, before II -
too late, and get them back to some sense
Of justice and OF the value OF contract
which should be written instead of verbal
Servants do not realize that they are max
Ing a contract when they promise 10 90
certain things, which promises they often
have no idea of carrying out. and they
should be taught this fact The contract
idea could be studied In such hotels as have
used them.
Miss Tarbel IS wrong in saying that the
social inferiority of which servants com
plain is the fault OF their mistresses u
Is In their own class that 1t exists most
strongly, and II * a survival or past con-
ditions, when servants were Thought or con-
temptuously. Their complaint that they
cannot marry az we'll as other workers
may be true; but the general idea OF IN
ferIority must wear off in time. II they dig
nify their occupation by acting worthiiy;
hui Il certainly will not as long as they con-
tinue their present INSCRIPTIONS conduct
Mrs Bailey's estimate of the wages OF
stenographers as t25 a week Is much aoo'o
the average, and II IS only eNceptionai shop
girls that get anywhere near living wage
az IS now we'll known 7 believe that many
girls could be induced. on leaving schooi 10
take up housework, n schools we're opou
10 them where they could b. supported
while learning their work, and, no DOUBT,
girls could be drawn from tho shops ana
offices as well after they have tested tnat
side of life sufficiently.
Such a movement, moreover, WOULD hc
public spirited, from the point Of view oil
the training such girls would be ha'inE az
heads OF future homes of their own.
II seems certain II men and women OF
power, capacity and wealth would take
90 TIL. plan, study Il carefully, make u OF
general scope. Just and practical, condi-
tons would be improved inevitably Tor all
concerned MRS. F. RUST.
Washington, June -. 1917