The place where a woman has not yet achieved economic freedom is in the disposal of her labor.  One must remember, however, in this connection, that not only is there no fixed standard of values in human service as yet, but that many indispensable forms of service have not even been legally recognized as valuable.  In early forms of civilization, fighting and praying were considered the most important work the community received, and warriors and priests gained the big rewards.  They received lands, gold, servants and dignities, while industrial workers, even the directors, were despised.  To-day we have reversed all this and we may pay a general only five thousand dollars a year, and a priest eight hundred dollars, while a man who develops a big industry may receive a hundred thousand dollars annually.  Again, a man who invents a new gun may be given a fortune, like that of Herr Krupp, while a man who invents a surgical instrument is prevented by the ethics of his profession from even patenting it.  If Pasteur had been paid for his services to France and to humanity, he would have ranked in the financial world with Mr. Rockefeller and Mr. Schwab.  We pay a State superintendent of public instruction ten thousand dollars a year; but Miss Jane Addams, as instructor in ethics to the United States, receives no salary, and she must even beg the money to maintain her laboratory at Hull House.  The whole question of payment for services is in a chaotic condition.  Those who serve mankind most faithfully are rewarded on the principle, “From each according to his ability;” but nowhere is the remainder of the principle, “To each according to his needs,” recognized.  Hence our greatest servants must still beg support from our cleverest exploiters.

Domestic service is indispensable to society, but so far it has remained in the field of semi-slavery and uncertain barter; in a word, it is still in the feudal stage.  The woman gives what she is and has, and nominally she gets protection and support.  Sometimes these fail and, on the other hand, she occasionally receives the unearned gifts supposed to befit a potentate or a shrine.  As women become educated they find this condition of uncertainty and instability unbearable.  They are willing to work, but they must have a chance to think and to plan their lives according to their individual needs.  Some degree of economic independence is necessary to intelligent thinking and orderly living.  It is not that women are demanding more property; they are demanding some definite individual property as a home for their souls; and they are coming to realize that if this property rests on some one else’s feelings and caprices it is no home for the soul; it is only a tavern.