THE SERVANT DIFFICULTY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12969, 23 November 1907, Page 7

THE SERVANT DIFFICULTY.

EXPERIMENT IN GARDEN CITY. A new development is likely to take place before long in that field for experiments in practical Socialism, the Garden City at Letchworth, says the London "Tribune." Co-oporativ© housekeeping it is called, and tho originators are Mr Ebenezor Howard, the projector of the Garden City scheme, and Mr H. Clapham Lander. A.R.1.8.A. Their idea is to relievo persons of moderate means from what is known as the servant difficulty, and to enable them to live in comfortable homes amid pretty surroundings at a comparatively small cost. It is intended to build a certain number of houses so as to form three sides of a quadrangle and part of a fourth, like a college square. Each houso will be separate from all tho others, but there will be a common dining-hall, together with living and sleeping accommodation for the domestic staff in a central building, to which the houses will be connected by means of a small cloister or verandah. The meals will be prepared by a qualified cook and assistants, and will bo served in the common dining-hall, or for a small extra payment they will be carried round hot to the tenants in their own homos. Four different •types of house, according to accommodation rebe provided, and tho rent, exclusive of a small charge for the cooking, etc., will be from £20 to £45 a year. Tlie houses, it is explained, will bo to all intents and purposes like certain flats in London, where meals aro to bo had in common, but instead of being built ono above, the other they will lie spread over tho ground. Of course, it is the comparative cheapness of land in the Garden City that will-enable us to do this. The demand for the four different types of houses seems to be about equal, the £45 a year ones being apparently in as great request as those at £20. Evidently, remarked one of the promoters of the scheme, there is a demand for such dwellings. As soon as wo get the necessary support we shall begin building. It will be quite possible to finish the 24 or 30 houses in six or eight months' time, so that the scheme is likely to be in working operation before the end of next year. A company is to bo formed to work it on the co-operative basis. As regards the rides and regulations, these will require very careful consideration. as it is important to prevent any tenant from annoying his neighbours. In particular, we shall have to conside-u-hat domestic pets, if any, are to be allowed, and whether a special place may not be provided for thoeo who cvant to practice on musical instruments. We hope that not only shall wo relieve mistresses of all trouble with regard to servants, but that we shall make domestic service more popular.

The servants will not be lonely as are so many maids-of-all-work, and they will Be free in the evening, save, perhaps, that one or two will have to be on duty until, say, 10 o'clock. This lato duty can be assigned to members of tho staff in rotation.