A "Goodie" Supplies the Facts

(Ed. Note--The Crimson does not necessarily endorse opinions expressed in printed communications. No attention will be paid to anonymous letters and only under special conditions, at the request of the writer, will names be with-held.)

To the Editor of the CRIMSON:

Would you kindly allow me to take up some of your space in your valuable paper?

In these days of new deals, new presidents and so on, I think it is no more than fair to explain a few facts which I think ought to be cleared up. Let's go back to your paper of Nov. 28, 1934. In glowing headlines Henry L. Shattuck '01, Treasurer of Harvard, gives his annual report of expenditures and savings for 1933-34.

With great satisfaction he cites a savings of $395,000.00 or thereabouts in services, wages, and other expenses.

Well, I am going to tell you of how a portion of that large amount was saved as regards the maids, biddies, goodies, or amazons (which ever you prefer.) In a recent editorial of your paper you spoke of "sweeping economy (with or without dust.) It was very well done and was greatly appreciated by us all. But you haven't all the facts and when I speak I think I represent the greater majority of maids. Right here I will agree that if some of them had only three boys to care for they wouldn't do it properly. But in fairness to those of us who are willing to do our work properly if given time, I think the students should know how we are situated, for after all they are paying enough to expect--and receive--good service.

In the first place let's start with Sept. In former years we would come in the day after Labor Day from the summer vacation and when the student arrived his suite was all ready for him to settle. Now, what does he find? We are called in on or about the 16th of Sept. The boys can come in anytime thereafter, with the result that the maid is trying to clean the suite and the boy is trying to settle and the former does a poor job of it. Now naturally that student expected to find everything O.K. and not three months' dust on floors, walls, and windows.

So he gets the impression he has a very slack maid, and he removes his glove and writes on the walls and windows in the dust "D-I-R-T." Well, he doesn't understand, so he, the over-neat boy, goes to the janitor and complains on his maid with the result she is either transferred or fired. Now I tell you this so that you may understand.

Each maid is given anywhere from twelve to sixteen boys. No exceptions are made as to whether you work in the Houses where all modern improvements prevail, or whether you are in the old dorms in the Yard, where there is no tile or parquet floors to take care of.

And now what does it cost Harvard per boy for the upkeep of his suite? Well, in the figures I learned while at school, at $1.28 for wages and an average of 15 boys it would cost Harvard just $.085 cents a day per boy.

Now comes December. The boys go home for vacation and again we are put on half time. Two hours a day. Let's pass on to June. Along about the 2nd of June a percentage of the women are laid off and those that are left have to do their own and the other women's work without extra pay. And this is two or three weeks before graduation. Well, when the student brings his guests in his suite for graduation he is ashamed of the looks of it--and I can't blame him. So the maid that is left there can do nothing else but make the beds in corrugated fashion.

Now you have the facts and it is up to you to kick hard if your maid doesn't suit you. I thank you, Maid.