Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-06
capital AS SOURCE.
OF CLERKS URGED
Preference for Local People
Advocated in Appointments
to Government Service. !
FOR GREATER EFFICIENCY

Suggestion has been made TO the coun-
Gil of national defense how citizens OF
the National Capital can be given an OPP
portunity to do their bit in most effec-
tive way as they best able in tho
present emergency. This concerns the
clerical force that is needed in the gov
eminent departments. II is pointed OUT
that men have to be trained for the army.
and that men and women have 10 he
providing food crops and general food
supplies. and it is shown that trained
force right here in the District. intimate
with the affairs, the system and inier-
relation of government offices. can per-
form the work better. will be chea per and
be given a chance to assist in a patriotic
service, if chosen, in preference TO bring.
ing in others from various parts of the
country.
-
Bear Home-Support Burden. -
As a secondary consideration this sue-
gestion to the council is an argument
that women. il found capable OF replacing
the men called into military service.
should be given equal compensati ton for
the office and industrial work they per-
form, since the same burden OF homA
support will be upon them.
The suggestion is contained In a letter.
to the council from Mrs. Mary q. john
son, 2515 18th street. member OF the
Woman's National Press Association, who
has been identified for many years with
club work and civic affairs in the District.
Her letter states:
Makes Four Proposals.
Following are four proposals. with
| reasons therefor. regarding conserva-
ton of resources as relating to civil
service:
Il. That qualification of sex be elinjs
mated for office positions such as
craftsman. copyist-draftsman, etc. N
Navy and War departments
20. That in examinations held in
washington. D. C.. for departmental
clerk. diploma from college and high
school, or teachers certificate or record
be accepted from applicants holding
same in lieu of the present SCHOLASTIC
examination. =
"(a) The purpose of the scholastic exa
animation appears to be for evidence
| that the applicant has a good general
education. Much work. time and ex<'
pense would be saved the government
in accepting such authentic certifica-
ton as evidence. 80
"tb) Many dependable persons possesu
this general education who, through
years of practical experience In life
may not as readily answer any and
every question that may arise in the
scholastic examination as may a pupil
| of the grammar. grades who would poa~.
sess little judgment aside from his or
her recent drill in text books.
To Waive Actual Domicile. -
"3. That persons. other than those tn
| the apportioned service. now temporA-
rily living in Washington. but perma.
| nent residents of another state or ter.
ritory, be eligible to permanent appoint.
ment in the apportioned service on
proper certincation from county oficer
| Of their state. waving the requirements
| Of actual domicile now construed 40
bodily presence. -
| "a" Through various circumstances
| there are now many women and men In
| Washington, outside the apportioned
service. who retain permanent rest.
| dence, pay taxes or vote in their re-
| spective states. No, citizen of state
| should be denied any of the privileges
due any citizen of that state because Of
| absence from home into another state
| or territory In the pursuit of his or her
duties any more than absence in for.
eign country for such cause bars Amer-
| leans from their rights as American
citizens.
To Utilize Resources in City.
| ~. That no examination for position
as departmental clerk be held outside
the city of Washington until all avaii-
| able resources now in the city have
been utilized.
"ta) Utilizing persons now resident
| relieves further congestion toward the
acute fooi situation. brings into service
minds familiar with and trained in civic
and national work. giving the govern
ment a valuable corps for efficient in
terested service and enab les these resi-.
dents to do their bit in the present
| crisis.
'fb) Examinations held outside tho
city for departmental work in WASH
| ington are an inducement to many men
and women from agricultural and maf-'
ufacturing districts to leave the farms
and pursuits. where they are now of
use as producers. for the attractionsl OF
| city life where they would become COM
| sumers and whose unfamiliarity with
and inexperience in civic and DEPART
mental work would increase their cost
| to the government