New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-02
HOUSE SERVANTS
NEVER SCARCER
War and American Preju-
dice Jointly Response
bic for Famine.

Partly because Of the war. a famine
in domestic servants such as has never
before been known threatens the Unit
cd States, according 10 r. T. Hutchin-
son, head OF a large employment agency
at go and 972 Sixth Avenue. near
Fifty-hfth Street lie says the demand
for trained servants. at all times 90 to
90 per cent in excess of the supply
row is four times as great, with 10
hope Of relief in sight.
Mr.. Hutchinson blamcs what he calls
the false attitude OF American men and
women toward domestic service for the
lack Of suitable material to replace that
drawn away or shut of by the war III,
cites the present high wages paid TO
servants as compared with the salaries
OF salcswomcn. clerical help and work
crs IN other lines.
THE supply Of imm grant girls from
Europe says Mr. Hutchinson iu let
ter to The Tribune. els now absolutely
cut of, and. to add further 20 our
troubles. as many as 40 FER cent Of tho
better class of women servants have
returned 10 their homes, some to take
care of their widowed mother. Others
10 work IN ammunition factories. The
best men returned 70 fight for their
country.
"The question is, How arc they TO be
replaced? We cannot DEPEND on the
native born. Unfortunately, there is an
altogether false attitude taken by
American men and women toward do
nestle service. / think the schools are
10 blame for this. The American WON
an would rather submit 10 any degree
Of hardship or poverty than be consid-
cred a servant"
Mr.. Hutchinson thinks there is no
disgrace attached 20 houseworN. I'm
fact, he declares. the woman trained In
domestic service often makes the best
wife As for wages, he cites general
chedule prevailing IN his Office. But
iers are paid, he says, from $50 10 500
a month; second men. from Sij 20 $50;
third and useful ntn,' from so "a
$50: chefs, from $50 10 Sl2j, and
couples, from so 20 $3.50. As for
women, housekeepcrs often get 500 a
month. and never less than $50; cooks
from S35 10 500; second cooks. from
$50 TO $ij; kitchenmads. from so "a
$50: chambermads. from SIS 10 $40;
mattresses. from $50 10 SIS; parlor-
maids. from % to S35; laundresses
from $50 TO $50; nurses. from $25 10
$50, and general houseworkers, from
$50 20 $40.
we must not lose sight OF the fact. Of
Mr. hutchinson continued. that these
figures include good food and comforta-
bic rooms, three or four months iu the
country each year in most eases. amid
refining influences and surroundings
Domestic service, IN real lie does not
demand the cr.ncinE seryitudc 80 often
portrayed on the stage, which tends 20
bring tho calling INTO further CON
,cmpt. There is nothing 20 be ashamed
Of ln doing honest WORK
1T is possible for men and women to
rise TO prominence from the humble
calling Of servant. A. the moment
there IS a man On the British army, %
general. who at one time was d foot
man. This so-called mental beginning
does not initiate against him. and he
is high in the counsels Of the govern
meut.
Let US hope we will be able TO at
tract sensible and well educated Ameri-
can men ard women 90 what is lucra-
tive vocation and should be considered
an honorable calling. Let Us remember
We are servants of one another