The Washington times., 1923-03-19
CLINIC To
CONDUCT
Tests
Applicants for Positions to Be
Put Through PAGES and
Given Ratings.
By GEORGE FRANKLIN.


Training of coiored domesties
through . domestic center, where
applicants for family positions
viii be graded according to their
qualifications and where they can
subsequently receive special VEGA
fional courses to increase their eff
6iciency, is to be established by the
National Training School for
Women and Girls, Inc, in the
neighborhood Of the George Wash
fngton University. The plan as
outlined today by Miss Mamie II.
Burroughs, president of the school,
fncludes numerous novel features.
Servants In Demand.
Properly trained house servants
are in greater demand today than
ever before" said Miss Burroughs.
1T is the aim Of our school to give
Colored girls not only a vocational
training but an academic one as
well. In this, however, we realize
the great Importance of the former,
and have laid emphasis upon it inA
she preparation of the courses
given.
Every one knows we live in an
age where vocational training is be-
coming deciding factor in individ-
N1al success. There are schools
where boys and girls get elementary
md advanced training for various
mechanical trades They are not
- many as they should be or will
be within very short time. So the
idea Of establishing O domestic serv-
Ice center, or clinic, where colored
house servants can be graded ana
given qualification certificates on
which compensation is based, and
where later they can receive train
ang making them more efficient is
not new in itself.
Proposes Novel Methods.
'sSome OF the methods to be EN-
ployed, however, have a novelty
about them, but that Is only be-
cause they attain results along lines
Of practical and intensified training
n much less time than could be de-
yeloped by unguided experience or
through regular training school
courses"
The domestic science clinic will
De located in a residence which can
be altered to meet the requirements
OF the work. It will have its !
kitchen, with ordinary home Kitchen
equipment, Applicants for places
as domestic cooks will be sent there
and told to prepare meals embrac.
ing menus such as are ordinarily
acceptable in home life. According
20 the result Of the demonstration
~ ability the applicant will bel
rated and the employer Informed
o. to her qualifications.
Dining room girls and house
maids will be given practical ex-
aB1inations in the same way. Each
WIN receive rating showing her
competency IS compared with the
service standard set by the school.
Plans for the operation Of a pub
Ne dining room In connection with
the clinic are being considered.
Would Conserve Food.
''It has been suggested said Miss
Burroughs" that in view Of the
large quantities of food which will
be prepared in the cooking demon.
STATIONS, it be conserved through
the operation of a dining room in
connection with the clinic. The idea
is, ! believe, practical, Not only
will it pay in part the cost Of the
clinic but the dining room service
can be made an Institutional fea.
fure for advanced training OF wait. |
HesSes. girls who, going into prf.
vate home, will be expected to do !
something besides make beds and
care for the house generally. II
vather think the plan viii meet
with the approval Of friends Of the
school who are already interested
Sn the opening of the clinic.
You see, the whole situation can
be summed up in the statement
that today an unframed house
servant is drug in the market.
Little by little the mental is dis
appearing as housework and it's
importance is better recognized. In
the school we aim to inculcate
IN the student the idea that
Gcrubbing floors is an important
work, made so by intelligent scrub.
btng, when 1T ceases to be drugery.
We also aim to teach the girls
proper manners toward employers
and their household associates.
Through the literary courses, which
are equivalent to a high school
course, we educate them academical-
ly. This cannot harm them, while
It helps to make them understand
properly their position and the
work they are doing. When work
70 dignified by being understood
It is never irksome nor regarded
as debasing. One mistake we have
avoided since the SCHOOL was
founded twelve years ago, work Is