Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-05-06
Conservation of the Home.

SOHSCTNdltoH VI Nfc liOiUGs
Leaders of the d. A r. are advo-
eating the inauguration of move
ment back to the home. They de-
piore the tendency of girls in these
DAYS to seek the commercial world,
They believe that century and half
Of prosperity has so relaxed the vigi-
lance of the home guardians that the
permanenee of the home itself is
threatened. In letter just circulated
by the National committee they call
attention 10 the woman evolved by
the Revolutionary democracy as the
most capable type the world has ever
known This founder of the American
home who was thrown wholly upon
her own resources and ability TO or
ganize household was perhaps the
greatest factor in the establishment
OF nursery of the greatest nation in
the world.
The activity of the D. a. r. toward
the conservation Of the home should
be encouraged by all forces which
have the interests of the American
people at heart Their alarm is we'll
| lEsed. We could hardly expect or
wish to perpetuate the home of the
Revolutionary mothers. but we be-
lieve that it is not only possible but
altogether desirable that much of the
adherence which seems to prevail
among the American girls of today for
home duties and household cares,
should be overcome.
With the above suggested end in
view the National Committee on Con-
servation. n. s.. d. A. r., Washing
ton, d. c., announces the Inauguration
of new department under the name.
Girl Home Makers of America" The
aim of this branch is to elevate
housework from the degrading rank
OF unskilled labor, which it now oc-
cuples, to the dignity OF professional
| hoped to accomplish this purpose may
| be found in the following suggestions.
First, by training the daughters of the
| incoming millions of foreign peasants to
| skilled household service by the intro
J duction of clubs for little girls in which
| all the ludiments of housekeeping are
| taught so attractively that the children
will first learn to love it as amusement
| These clubs it is hoped, will develop in
| time into a system corresponding TO the
| grades of the public school. and will is
sue certificate of graduation for COM
pletion OF the course at the end of the
| eighth grade.
| Second, by persuading the daughters Of
| the middle classes that it Is more COM
| mendable TO remain at home and perform
/ the pleasant duties OF the house than TO
80 into business to earn the wages of the
woman who is hired to do ii for them.
This branch can be made an attractive
social feature in any chapter, however
small, by organizing n circle of young
| girls who will meet periodically in a des-
| ignated home for such part of its work
| as they choose to demonstrate, serving
d simple luncheon cooked by each in
| turn, and comforting honors for the high
est proficiency at the end of the season.
| This idea can be worked ont in a sewing,
| decorative. embroidery or cooking club,
or combination of all, as preferred by
its members.
| 10 study and practise social service in
| the interest of household economies, to
| superintend the training Of the foreign
| girls clubs, and by personal contact en-
courage the graduation of these students
Their enthusiasm can be kept up by lee
lures and literature on any branch Of
| household art, decoration, amusements,
| gardening, all of which win help attract
| to the all-important phase of domestic
| life the attention ii does not now receive
1 and for lack of which untold evil results
l a judge who has granted hundreds Of
1 divorces says that four-ifths of these
| are occasioned by the inability of the nm
| trained wife to live upon her husbands
| income. This is peculiarly true of the
! married shop-sirl The same authority
/ asserts that the woman who has done
| hDusework for her living is the rarest
| applicant for divorce. She makes an in
! dnstrious contented wife, and good
| mother