Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-12-07
HOMEMAKERS COLUMN.
Correspondents. on topics Of interest g the !adis:
n solicited. Addrefs: Editor hOhn ~
CnrnSH Oxford Democrat, South Paris. He
Disappearance Of the General House
worker.

worker.
The disappearance of the general
bouse- worker" has brought consterna-
tiop and despair to many small mousse
holds. The disappearance mas oeen
caused BY q lack Of standard In ner
duties. +,
Az ono place she was overworked oy
An unreasonable mistress, ut announcer
place she was completely spoiled oy .
Woman who knew nothing OF the ART OF
housekeeping. "This Is not my WORK,
or that is not my work." became daily
com plant with her until one wondered
how IL could be possible that Mrs. A. on
ons .;ds of the street could live 30 diff.
fsrantlv from Mrs. B. on the other.
So she just went out OF fashion lot
nobody knew how to manage her, ana
prestoi there entered upon the scene .
motley crew of specialized" help, and
hut too true they each and all know but
their own speciality and that none too
we'll, and wages unlike salaries, have
gone up accordingly.
To standardize homework for large
aud for small establishments, Is the
only way Of bringing capital and labor
into harmonious relationship.
Allowing the fact that some people
from necessity have been driven to take
up delicatessen existence, and to &C.
cep, the aid of "day worker" to keep
their "house in order" Others have
Joined the family hotel colonies, and
still others remain at the country homes
the year around, rather than face the
servant problem in town. Something In
the way of system is needed and badly
80 to save the American home; what Is
the remedy?
The bride, surro unded by her wedding
gifts and her portion of the family sill
yer, is in dire need of experienced help,
but not more so than the more expert
enced wife who stands appalled, at the
large wage bill she is paying and the
small amount of actual help she 10 get,
ting from her specially" servants:
Both are in need of the standard and
must have 1t to adjust the family In
come by.
The "Antis' =" and the "Suffragists' "
homes need the help standard equally,
apd, for once, they meet upon common
ground and "vots" for the standard
With one voice.
A much to be decried practice in The
past has been the indiscriminate refer
euces given to departing servants
FROM mistaken good nature, or from
wish not to stand in their way OF get
ting another place, though they have
not found them competent, employers
give them most misleading documents
Why the concealment Of the actual
cause of discharge 10 an unexplained
mystery.
This is one Of the first evils to attack
Absolutely fair and equsre dealings be-
tween capital and labor is the only hope
OF harmony. Regular hours for work
and for freedom, standard wages, better
ventilated kitchens, properly Lighted
and equipped, better ventilated bed
rooms and sleeping conditions, are tb'
human demands Of labor upon capital
Women's clubs should take the matter
seriously under considerations; 1t is
large contract to remedy these condi
tions, but concerted action on their par
might do it. Turn the light of publici
ty on the subject which has festered II
darkness for more years than one care
to admit, and see if right standard
raised won't bring about the desired re
suit.
See If the girls who have looked dowr
on Homework as degrading, with it
lack OF standard, and who have left i
for the less protected factory and ever
worse, will not return to profession
that can be made honorable and digni
fed by right-minded employers.