The daily Alaskan., 1917-05-09
HOW WOMEN CAN
 DO NAVAL SERVICE
Commander Tells What Steps
 Are Necessary,
WOULD NOT BE SENT TO SEA


 Navy ao Wireless and Telephone op-
 srators-Pay Ranges From s3s to Ses
 a Month, Including Board.
 What Is a yeoman7 How does one become yeowOman?
 What is the remuneration for the wearing of such q title?
 Where does one go when once one has pinned 1t on-the title, not the re- muneratiOn2 ...., Many young women are inQuiring about doing yeOman service for the government. Commander John B. Pat. ton, U. S. N, of the Third district of the United States naval reserve and on the staff of Rear Admiral Usher, com mandant of the New York navy yard, gave the following information;
 "The service of a yeoman, which may be undertaken by q man or woman, constitutes clerical work" said Com. mander Patton. "Thls includes ste nography, typing and any of the sub heads that come under the general head of clerical work.
 "There are four classes-chief yeo- man, who receives $GG a month and board on sea or shore; first class, S44 and board; second class, $3S.5O and board, and third class, $33.
 "The salaries vary according to the class of work demanded. A chief yeo- man must naturally be an expert. At present women as yeomen are not be- ing enrolled because of the press of other matters. Immediately it is de- cided to take applications notices will be published through the newspapers"
 Examinations Required.
 "What examinations would have to be passed in order to qualify an appll- cant for yeOmunry duty?" he was asked
 "The usual examinations one would put any applicant through who wished to do clerical york;" he replied. He or she would be asked to take dicta- tion, give an example of typing, etc. These examinations would be given tn the navy yard. The physical examina- ton of women would be given under the direction of the nurses at the naval hospital"
 "In what other lines can women en- roll In the naval reSeTveF
 As wireless operators and telephone switchboard operators. In any of these classes-yeomen wireless or telephone operatOrs-wCmen would probably not go to sea, but would be detailed for shore duty. Certainly they would not go to sea at first"
 What is the pay of a wireless teleg- rapher?"
 "A chief electrician gets $66 and board, first class operator S55 and board, second class $44 and third class S3S."
 "The observation has been made" Commander Patton was told, 'that 1t would be bit hard on @ woman should she give up q regular position to learn wireless for the sake of her country and then find herself unCalled for and out of work"
 Can Collect Retainer.
 "There Is, however, this feature of the problem" he answered, that after she has taken her preparatory work she may take her three months con- frmation and, if she chooses to remain in the reserve, may for four years thereafter collect her retainer of two months full pay annually without per forming any service during the remain der of her enrolment if there Is no war. In the event she Is a chief operator she would receive $132 a year, you see"
 "How Is this possible" He was urged to be more specific.
 Because" he said, "the same rule that applies to men applies to women. This covers yeomen, wireless operators or any class in the service of the Unit ed States naval reserve. Men are en- rolled for four years, but in time of peace they may resign whenever they desire. To be confirmed in their rank or rating they must have three months training. They may have continuous active duty on full pay if they desire It and their services are needed.
 After three months training and confirmation officers and men receive retainer pay every year of two months full pay, without performing any serV- ice during the remainder of that enroll ment. The training may be taken in periods of not less than three weeks at time. Before being confirmed they receive an annual retainer pay of SIP They may enroll in any naval district they choose"
 "This brings up the question of dls- tricts. Would a woman desiring to give yeoman service be apt to be detailed in the district in which she had en- rolled"
 "She would be apt to be-" he replied.
 It may be a matter of interest to note that there are fourteen districts in the naval reserve.
 | IE Worked Six Years