Evening star., 1918-02-10

All the "red tape" is not in the gov
ernment departments.
There has been great deal Of dis
cussion recently about the tape OF
bright color, especially as 1t relates to
the government departments. For
years, in fact. it has been favorite
topic of conversation.
All you had to do when you went
back home "in the states" was to say
eyes. washington is the hottest city
in the United States" and then make
covert references to mysterious red
tape" in the government departments
Then all the boys at the grocery felt
sure you had been there.
The hot Washington" fallacy has
been exploded, although there is no
question that 1t does get hot here
sometimes
It remains for Mrs. Grace Porter
Hopkins, head Of the women and
girls division Of the District employ
ment service. to make the first attack
on the "red tape" story
She does this in strategic manner
too. Not by directly denying the pres
ence Of the tape in the federal service
there is red tape. to be sure. just as
it is hot in Washington sometimes-
Mrs. Hopkins calmly points out case
of red tape" in a big business firm OF
the city. and allows you to draw your
own inference.
Recently the proprietor Of one OF the
city's biggest department stores called
up the head of the women and girls dl-
vision on the phone, and said:
Mrs. Hopkins, I need good Ste
inographer. 1 have tried everywhere
but the government has got them all.
Can you help me?"
Mrs. Hopkins replied that was what
she was there for, and that she wouio
watch out, and the minute she learned
of a good stenographer out OF a 1oo sne
would let the business man know.
So one day she called him up, and
asked: ,,
DO you still want a stenographer?
II sure do" replied the big business
man. "I have even thought OF getting
one from New York
"Did you ever think of trying to get
one from your own store! MRS. HOP
kins INQUIRED in a kindly tone.
Gureles of surprise came via wire.
'sWhat do you mean-my own store!
the business executive asked.
"yon have an excellent stenographer
working for you as salesgirl, ana
YOU don't know it. Oh. yes you have. !,
go to your perfumery &C, counter a ana ana
ask for MISS Miss. - aIa IaaSine I, bus BUSINESS ss
college. You didn't know it? AT the
time of her graduation she was unable
to get a position as stenograpner, SO
she took what she could get. May
suggest that 1t might not be a, bad
idea for you to find out what your girls
can do, in the interest OF all concerned!
I am sure you will find Miss - can
typewrite better than she can sell per-
fume."
Gee, who cares about the coal short
ase?" asked one small boy" of another
the other day up on my street.
"I hope 1t lasts forever" said his COM
panion to the world at large.
Both boys grinned broadly at the
thought Of the enforced vacation grant,
ed them last week. by orders of supt.
Thurston.
A. patriotic lady intervened at this
point.
you ought to be ashamed OF your
selves to talk So" she said. wrathfully,
and then launched into dissertation
upon the wickedness of Germany and
the wickednesss of small boys who are
glad that there Is a coal shortage so
the superintendent of schools Will have
to give them holiday.
All she said was true. too true, but
she missed the point entirely.
She wasn't boy, Of course, but
Even 'girls'' ought to be able to know
why boY1 .are Glad thAss days On 20: