The Washington herald., 1918-04-14
BITTER ON sLAckERs.
Gih Stenosrapher Flags Non6sht-
ing Men in Uniform.

INK Nicu IN OuitOfms
To the Editor of The Washington
Herald: The desk soldiers are de-
Tended by an ofiicer OF the U. 8.
army. not in Washington. Should
the opinion of anyone at q distance
from the seat of desk-war be taken
seriously? The most casual short
range observer with eyes to see
could grasp the situation as 1t really
exists.
Why should a blushing boy. even
though he may possibly be disqual-
ified for actual trench. duty, doing
simple clerical work be commissioned
at 5000 per annum with commuta-
ton, while all about are scores of
long-experienced, highly trained gov
ernment clerks who receive u.2oo?
One day when my typewriter had
broken down I asked one Of these
fellows to help me FIX 1t and he
haughtiIy refused, as being beneath
the dignity of his exalted position
he had previously informed me ar
rogantly that his father was an army
officer. We women clerks are accus-
toned to receiving the most perfect
courtesy from men of mature years
and eminent position, for whom. we
have worked, and now We laugh and
joke when these sprouts show their
brief authority by giving US curt
commands, like the little mouse,
without once saying eff you please"
In many cases 1t Is an insult to the
intelligence of women for people TO
say that these men are doing work
that women can do. College educa-
ton" and technical" knowledge are
the side doors by which the most OF
them slip In. I never went to college,
but when 1 was a frail young girl 1
could go anywhere into the country
where we have Indians and public
lands and make stenographic report
of testimony for the government; and
1 have been, literally. worked almost
to death on SIS per month. I now re-
ceive 81 200.
Men of my blood have fought, both
as privates and officers. not always
for the same cause. but always brave
ly. since the founders of this nation
first set foot at jamestown and 81.
Marys. The person signing himself a
Loyal Officer" who writes of small
caliber Copgressmen' to a man OF
Mr. hlICnln 3 nlkn CndidClci anu
great usefulness to the country, em-
ploys coarseness not quite betitting
an officer and a gentleman. This man
says: "Give the order to go and We
(the desk warriors) will welcome the
chance" However. I know one young
husky who rushed about like a dis
tracted rabbit when this scare came
up. getting his chief to ask for his re-
tention on account of his technical
knowledge, and had US all laughing
and poking fun. That word 'techni-
car' covers a multitude of sins these
days. And We laugh and poke fun
when we observe them receiving sa-
lutes from real men who are going to
France to work and fight.
Your correspondent speaks arro-
gantly of jealous civilians. Army OFF,
GERS, like everybody else in America.
originate from every stratum of So
ciety.
l am not jealous of any candy SOL
der or pastry officer. l am proud that
pay my way, increasingly harder
though 1t becomes each day.
Perhaps this officer who SO gallant
Iy comes to the defense of our army
/ of hide-and-seekers has some male
relatives here, dressed in the panoply
of war and sponging on the public
treasury.
A WORKER IN THE HIVE.