Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-08-21
EFFICIENCY in
THE HOUSEHOLD

One of the main requisites for the
smooth operation of any business is
the efficiency of those who direct It's
routine. When II Is understood that
the mistress knows how to perform
the various domestic tasks herself, she
will receive better service from her
maids, for they will have greater re-
spect for her.
The women who does her own work
is in the large majority, and too often
she does not know how to plan her
day so that she may secure some de-
gree of comfort and time for recrea-
tion. She seems to think that because
she is always working she is a sub
ject for commiseration, whereas, If the
truth were known, the fault lies
largely at her own door. She probab-
ly does not systematic, but rushes
from one thing to another without due
regard to sequence Of duties or even
to their relative Importance She will,
for example, go from one end of the
house to the other to get something
she may need, and neglect to make
the one trip serve two purposes by
taking with her whatever may be
waiting to go to that part Of the house.
Again, instead of sitting down quiet
ly and making list of the things
needed from the store, she will per.
haps have to take two or three jour
Legs herself or have the delivery boy
make two or three trips, where one
would serve. Often, too, confusion is
caused by crowding the entire weeks
work into one or two, days, instead of
letting each day take care of its al
lotted share. Even more frequently
much time is wasted In the early
hours of the morning doing little
things which might, properly be left
to fill in the odd moments between The
more important tasks.
! It is the duty Of every housekeeper
so to arrange her household affairs
that she may be able to devote some.
definite period. however small, each
day, to the broadening of her intellect.
Aside from the ways already men,
toned of doing this, she should take
advantage of all such labor saving
utensils and appliances as she can
conscientiously afford, looking upon
them not as luxuries but as neces-
sary equipment for her business.
These things cannot, of course, all be
bought at once; but little by little
they can be accumulated, and once
purchased are part of the house
keepers STOCK in trade. - q. 4
Many of the labor savers are almost
infnitesimal in cost, while others de-
mand considerable initial expendi-
ture; but the cheaper ones often do.
more than their share in saving work
Take, for. example, the rug holders
which cost only 10 cents a set and
which prevent rug being moved out
of place.. holding 1t taut and secure
even while being swept. Broom
clamps keep the broom in good condi-
ton and, by holding the straws COM
pactly together, render sweeping east
pr. They cost the same sum, while a
mandy contrivance made of rubber
and zinc for putting over the sink
Train, SO that the sink can be made
70 hold water, aids the housewife by
making the dish-washing easier and is
certainly worth much more than the
20 cents paid for it.
Inc modern woman Is relieved or
many Of The problems and burdens
which confronted her foremothers,
eaving her free to avail herself of the
many privileges of this twentieth cen
ury. She is failing in her duty to her
elf, her family and those whose lives
she influences if she does not adapt
herself to existing conditions and take
advantage of the many opportunities
pen to her.