Pleasant surroundings do much to lighten labor and make it attractive, whatever kind of work it may be. This fact large manufacturers and merchants have recognized and utilized to their great advantage. The housekeeper may learn the same lesson, and a maids' sitting room may become the rule rather than the exception.

Reasonable forethought entails a recognition of the fact that as there are now few standards of work or methods of doing it, so that the new cook or maid, no matter how well recommended or even equipped, has no idea of how you desire your work done or how you wish it systematized. Proper and sufficient directions should be given and proper care that they should not be presented in a confused manner all at once. Perhaps they can be given best in writing, a typewritten sheet placed in the kitchen or some suitable place and used for reference. To this can be attached the special direction for the following day each night or afternoon, and the chances are this plan will aid very materially in the smooth running of the machinery of the household. Such a plan need not be in too great detail, unless the maid be very untrained. Miss Parloa suggests such a daily outline in her work on Home Economics, as follows:

1. Make the fires, air the dining room and hall.

2. Prepare the breakfast and set the table.

3. Put the bedrooms to air while the family is at breakfast.

4. Remove the breakfast dishes; put away the food. Sort the dishes and put to soak all dishes and utensils that have had food in them which is liable to stick.

5. Put dining room and sitting room in order, airing them well.

6. Wash dishes, put kitchen and pantries in order. Prepare dishes that require slow cooking and put them to cook.

7. Make beds and put sleeping rooms and bathroom in order.

8. Trim lamps.

9. Dust halls and stairs; sweep piazzas.

This plan is for a maid of all work, and naturally would be varied in many households, but indicates the idea. The more definite the work can be made, the better.

Personal freedom for the maid means about what it does for the mistress; freedom to choose and have her own friends, to have them call and visit with her; to receive them without unnecessary and seemingly impertinent interruption or surveillance; freedom to come and go within reasonable limits without asking permission or giving explanation each time. In short, it is an application of the Golden Rule, and means such treatment as will insure the respect, if not the liking, of employee for the employer. This may seem revolutionary, actually impossible to many, and probably is where there is a succession of unknown, untried, unreferenced maids passing through the kitchen every four to six weeks. This plan, however, has been tried with success in many places.

In a small city in Northern New York, where the majority of people are in the maelstrom of the domestic situation, there is a family that secures help readily and whose maids remain with them until a proper reason, such as marrying, causes a change. The employer in this case considers that she employs the maids to do the work, not simply to be in the house. When the work is finished the maids are at liberty. If two are in the house, one is expected to be ready to answer the bell; if one only is employed, there never has been trouble or even necessity of making any rule about this mooted point. This housekeeper has argued that in general she would prefer to answer her own door bell and have the real work cheerfully, faithfully and well done, and that to get out of doors undoubtedly would be better for maid and work than staying in would be. This mistress has provided her maids with suitable reading matter for their leisure time, and shows that she is interested in the outside life of the girls without unduly interfering with it. In consequence she has good service, the maids are well and happy, and so is she, for friction is almost unknown in the running machinery of that home. Perhaps this should be noted, that in general the mistress does not have to answer the door bell, and many little thoughtful services are performed for her not nominated in the bond.

The real question is not the "reason for the dearth of good household workers, but what suggestions may be made to assist the housewife in this trying situation.

In its ultimate effects the domestic situation of to-day will probably bring about a reorganization of the home. This is to be hoped and desired, if that reorganization means raising the work of the home to its proper position as a recognized business affair, whose director is required to have a knowledge and skill somewhat commensurate with the issues at stake, the interests involved. It is absolutely necessary that the director of the home should know and be trained for her business if she is to demand and obtain skill and training in those she directs. The recognition of this need is the first great step toward reform.

Reorganization of the Home

The second is the acknowledgment of the fact that in general the housekeeping of to-day is run on an antiquated plan, one not even fulfilling the needs of an earlier generation and entirely inadequate to cope with the tendencies of to-day. The plan has to be changed. No progress will be made if women spend their time in bewailing the present condition only; we must put our wits to work to better it.

These, then, are suggestions: First, that there should be more universal effort made, particularly in communities where clubs discuss these things, to secure certain just standards of work to be done for a certain just wage. The work of each household should not vary between unknown limits and the wages still be the same in each.

Co-operation in establishing standards of work is much needed. Why should the cook who prepares three elaborate meals daily for a family of six adults, who often entertain, be paid the same wages as the cook next door, who prepares simple meals for three people who live most quietly and rarely have a guest? Workers in factories and stores at least are governed by the same number of hours. Just as the life, numbers and demands of different families vary, so does the work vary. A standard of wage cannot be established without a corresponding standard of work.