The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-07-02
WOMEN SAYRALPH
DENIED TRANSFERS
TO BETTER PLACES
(continu.d from First Pase.)

CONTINUED from First Page.)
ment yesterday left surprising data
regarding the prevalence OF overtime
work at the bureau, and occasions
when women have worked from ten
to fourteen hours without stopping.
The schedule OF work. she says, IL
SO arranged that some OF the girls
never have an opportunity to do
shopping for themselves.
Bureau Conditions ToId.
The Rev. 2. Albert Cook, pastor
OF the Capitol Heights maryland
Congregational Church, who has al
legged that Director Ralph forces EN-
ployes OF the bureau to work from
twelve to fifteen hours a day, has
received many letters relating to con-
ditions in the bureau.
Lois McGee q former bureau en-
ploye, in q letter to the Rev. Mr..
Cook, tells of "unbearable" condi-
lions.
'Th=eaSh study :. night ss....te4
myself for another position, which
am now holding" writes Miss MCGEE.
when 1 completed my course, I ask
ed Ralph for 4 transfer. He told
me. Nothing doing, you are needed
here Then left the bureau.
Employees OF the bureau have n
hard time to get straight pay for the
overtime they work, while other de-
partments pay time and one half for
overtime.
"Girls are allowed thirty minutes
for lunch. but in that time they have
to wash, 70 upstairs to the lunch
L.
their turn for food. Then they must
eat It In . rush and return to their
work."
Locker conditions. where the girls
change their clothes, were described
by MCGEE a. particularly bad, one
place specifically mentioneu being
over q hot air shaft. where "a de-
cent circulation Of air IL out Of the
question"
AIIInG Girl On Joh.
Another letter received By Mr..
Cook tells Of disease resulting from
the strain under which the employees
work.
II know Of one particular ease"
says the letter, where q mild case OF
heart disease has become serious.
No BlTA nAA QGpguGNuNMs 9Na Ag0AH
that she cannot take . chance, as
Mr.. Ralph tells them. even II excused
on q doctors certificate, that II they
cannot stand the strain. when II may
be necessary to reduce the force they
will be the nrst to 60"
Women employees today charged
that Ralph refused to give them
transfers to other departments in
which they were offered higher wages.
better positions. and an eIght-hour
day.
Ralph admitted that "psrhaps $50
women" had been refused such trans
fers. He said he was compelled to
refuse transfers because OF the rush
of war work.
Pastor ArraIEns Ralph.
At the Capitol Heights Church last
night Mr.. Cook spoke Of the eontro-
versy between the speaker and Ralph
and asked:
"Is II q patriotic duty to keep wo-
men working from 3 In the morning
until at night for four or ave
months to number q new set OF Fed
eral reserve notes to take the place
Of an older VARIETY What would
have happened to the country II the
old notes had remained In circulation
a few weeks longer, or the new ones
had been pumbered in some other
establishment
Director Ralph has not yet shown
me that message from Secretary Nc
Adoo which Is alleged to say: Ny
Dear Ralph: Were nearly out Of
money and must depend on you and
your lady friends at the bureau to
make us some more. Please rush IL
through II II kills every woman In
the bureau"
At the office OF Secretary McAdoo
Il was said that the Secretary was
expected in Washington late this at
ternoon-