The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-01-03

cent, received less than 50 per week.
46 per cent of this number having
been at gainful work for five years
and over. OF eighty women who had
been at work for fifteen years barely
one-third received as much as ST. per
week.
The great majority of the women
had received a fair amount OF school
| ing, over two-thirds having completed
the eighth grade course in public
schools. and some of them having
attended high school or college. There
were PA women with incomes OF less
than $500 per year, 203 Of the total
being so poorly paid that they were
assisted" in the matter of living; PA
received under $3.50 a year, and 1881
were paid under $500 a year.
or GOO poorly paid women, 414, or
90 per cent, lived at home with their
immediate families. A total of 272
were in receipt OF assistance. The
remaining 1928 were self-supporting,
such as 1t was. and 129 of this 32s
had other persons-motheTs. sisters.
or brothers-wholly or partially de-
pendent upon them for support
Some Wage Increases.
Miss Brown, secretary OF the Young
Women's Christian Association, whose
organization has placed over 1000
young women arriving in Washing
ton in homes, and who comes in con-
tact with working girls throughout
the city, told The Times today that
there have been increases in wages
paid women workers in Washington
since 1916. but she was not in position
to say just how these increases COM
pared to increased cost OF living, es-
pecially as touching those girls who
have not their immediate families to
live with and find the cost of board
ing going up rapidly.
There are many opportunities for
Washington girls to better themselves
financially" said Miss Brown. The
war risk bureau and several other
agencies are employing women with
knowledge of typewriting. regardless
OF civil service examination, the only
requirement being that those who are
appointed shall later take eXamina-
ton" The examination referred to is
not Immediately required, two or
three months elapsing.
women and girls appointed TO
these places" continued Miss Brown,
must adopt the methods of men il
they wish to be continued. They must
study and work to become efficient.
We have classes in typewriting, and
there are many ways OF improving in
this work"
Suggestions Made.
Repeated suggestions have been
Tnada ha
sion can alleviate the critical housing
condition in Washington by letting
down the bars so that more Washing
ton women may have a chance to go
into the Government service. The
only thing done so far has been re-
moval OF the District quota bar,
thereby enabling District people to
freely take examinations. But there
are many Washington girls and wOm-
en- who know something OF type
writing, who have education and enter
prise, but v no cannot pass 4 typewrit-
ing examination at once. Given ap-
pointments first and allowed reason
able time to pursue typewriting work
they would be able to hold their posi-
tions. These girls already live with
their families. and hunting homes for
them is not necessary. The War Risk
Bureau IS a case i'm point.
Civil service rules and arbitraTiness
have been shot to pieces for months.
and the easing up on present Testric-
tions may help things here. e"cording
To Washington people who are study
ing the situation.
Large numbers Of Government
clerks pour into Washington each day
and begin hunting homes. The civil
Service Commission estimates that
10000 more will come before the end
Of 1918. Three-fOurths of them will
be women, very young women at that.
Women Want Homes.
New Year Day we had fifty-two
women seeking our assistance in get
ting homes" said Miss Brown. They
are sent TO us by their parents, pas
tors, and friends. We have places for
them yet, but how much longer there
will be openings we do not know. The
older girls seem willing to go into
homes away from the center OF the
city, but the young girls want TO stay
close to places OF amusement and
their work The terrible car service
away from the middle of the city.
Il have no idea what the Govern
ment Is going to do to handle the
situation later on. That it must do
something is apparent to everybody.
The building Of big boarding houses
or barracks is all right for young
men. but girls should not be put into
huge institutions of this kind with
out proper and agreeable chaperon-
age"
Bureaus In Baltimore.
General Knight, Engineer Commits
sioner Of the District, suggests that
the congestcd housing and office con-
ditions here might be relieved IL some
Of the Government bureaus seeking
quarters in Washington could be sent
to Baltimore, where there are plenty
OF vacant offices and homes. ut
seems to me-" he said, that some
Government establishments might
keep in touch with their main de-
partments in Washington If sent to
Baltimore. I know the advisabllity
of keeping related work together, but
there must be Government activities
running so smoothly that efficiency
would not be seriously disturbed II