Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 76, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 May 1899 — THE FOREIGN SERVANT GIRL. [ARTICLE]

THE FOREIGN SERVANT GIRL.

How Her Employer Makes Her Fidelity Count to Her. In order to overcome the difficulties of the servant problem the German government has inaugurated a new system, claiming it to be beneficial to both mistress and maid. The government provides a book (which the servant can have upon application) and the mistress Is required to place In It each week a 5-cent stamp issued for that purpose. If this availed nothing more, it would prove date and number of weeks of satisfactory service, and be a valuable reference; but it has a far wider Intention. When the girl becomes sick- aged, or unable to work, every stamp is redeemable by the government, thus providing a bank account for her time of need. It is a tax imposed upon the employer, but the benefit derived from reliable service is sufficient compensation. Several years’ continuance seems to prove the plan successful. Russian cities have tried a prize system, giving a certain sum of money to servants with two years’ record of faithful service in one place, confirmed by written statement in pass book, from employer. This Is really nothing more than a “written reference,” subject to the objections attending all of them—that is, forgery, and even if genuine, governed by the mood and prejudice of the mistress at the time of writing. The success of this plan is uncertain and doubtful. There is one advantage, however, the fact that the servant has remained in one place for two years is in her favor, even if, because of some difficulty at the time of parting, tne reference is not so satisfactory as might be desired by the servant for even a two years’ stay in one place speaks well for the servant in this day of changes.