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Reader Alma Jacobsen in her letter—TIME, Aug. 2 wants all of us to take down our hair and weep over the sad state of affairs endured by America's domestic servants. These poor souls who work 24 hours per day for almost nothing, and are cast into the mustiness of the family cellar when not in use. are few and far between. High wages or low wages, the average domestic servant employed in the American home is about as belligerent, independent, and uncooperative as a "spoiled child." They do less and expect more out of life than does a college graduate with a Ph.D., and are far less appreciative. The majority lack foresightedness, hate work, and don't try to hold a job if they have one. If office girls (many right now are working for $50 per month out of which they must maintain themselves solely) came to work prepared to get spunky and independent every five minutes, there just wouldn't be any office girls. The trouble with the average domestic servant is that she has never been out in the business world, is unacquainted with conditions, doesn't know what it's all about, and therefore doesn't appreciate a good thing when she has it. And why oh why should the poor housewife raise her wages when she has to spend all of her husband's wages on replacing broken dishes and ruined electric stoves? It's time for America's domestic servants to mend their ways.
JEAN C. ACKERLEY
Minneapolis, Minn.
Sirs:
In TIME'S issue of Aug. 21, a person signing herself Alma Jacobsen has a tirade against employers of so-called help. Why doesn't the dis- gruntled lady go back to the old country where she might find things more to her liking? My experience with the last three maids I had was-- one of them proved a bad character—two of them were thieves—all of them were so filthy in their rooms, that they had to be painted, papered and cleaned after they left. I always have treated my help as I would wish to be treated were I in their place—but have always found them ready to take advantage of me at every turn. I now only employ help by the day, and find the great majority of them are untruthful and thieves.
I think Alma Jacobsen is not the only disgruntled one-for I could add a sequel to her 'good-sized volume" that would make her sit up and take notice.
ELIZABETH BROWN
Los Angeles, Calif.
Sirs:
A challenge to Alma Jacobsen's plea for protection covering those persons seeking domestic employment. So two-sided is every question that I can't but wonder if she may not be equally culpable in her report against the employer's lack of consideration! Perhaps it has been my good fortune to engage the unusual in the domestic staff since, but with a single exception, I've never had one that I for some reason or other was forced to give up, who did not want to return and with always her very gratifying "I shall never forget your kindness" (or words to that effect). It was always very convenient for me to be kind as mine have been invariably considerate of me even under the most trying cir- cumstances and with only normal wages.
E. M. DEXTER
Santa Barbara, Calif.
Prenatal Shock
Sirs:
I was greatly interested in the article "Facts of Birth" under the general heading Medicine in the current issue of TIME.