Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-07-19

w WASHINGTON, D. c., July 15.-The young
wv woman who is eager to enlist and
W uniform have her wish fulfilled by en-
rolling in the United States naval reserves There
are now about three thousand in this
branch of the service and the number is increas-
ing every day. These women are not enlisted to
climb ropes, drill, do any of the sailors jobs
In all probability, they will mount ships
deck in an official capacity They enrolled
yeoman, and employed most of them, at
the peaceful work of taking down shorthand
notes and making them Ineligible by way of
typewriter.
Such duties do not appear thrilling or even of
great Importance, but many of these girls, who
have demonstrated ability to carry out orders
quickly and effectively, handle confidential
correspondence and transact business requiring
a high degree of executive ability Some are
holding positions which heretofore have been con-
sidered mems jobs exclusively.
Admiral MCGOWAN, chief of the naval bureau
of supplies and accounts, declares that the women
serving in his department more satisfactory
than the men Ihey are more ambitious and
capable and less dissatisfied with conditions and
pay" says the admiral "They are my right
hand men, and my only trouble is in getting
enough of them"
The navy objects to it's enlisted girls being
called yeomanettes, yeowomen, yoegirls. They
are enlisted yeomen with the rank, pay
and privileges as men and to do the same work as
men Therefore their official designation is 'yeo-
man." and any other title is considered inap-
propriate.
to women, the subject of a uniform was dis
cussed. Most of the girls in favor of
standardized dress. They were in the navy and
wanted the public to know it. Then too, uni
form is solution of the clothes problem which
SO often harnesses the business woman, and
times her employer. solemn study of types
and styles by naval officers, assisted by adj
visory council of girls, resulted in the official de-
cree of navy blue or white norfolk suit, reg
ulation shirt waist felt straw sailor hat and
black white shoes and stockings. For insignia,
the words "U. S. Naval Reserve Force" on the
hat band and the regular navy rating chevrOn
on the left sleeve of the blouse authorized.
The uniform designed and described in detail,
and took its place in the fashion book of the navy
alongside of the latest thing in costumes for
naval aviators, seamen and officers.
In time of war, a soldier or sailor is forbid
den by law to appear in civilian dress. This rul-
ing the navy has not attempted to apply to its en-
blue norfolk suit and cotton gloves in the evening
and attend dance in the fmiest of chinons if
she so desires. She is not even required to wear
the uniform to her office though many of the
girls prefer the distinctive dress. The yeoman on
enlisting receives sixty dollars uniform al
lowance. This does not fully equip her, but peo-
men now in service declare that it will supply
recruit with fairly complete wardrobe if she
patronizes the navy clothing depot in New York
where the uniforms are made by government con-
tract.
The woman recruit signs away her business
hours for four years in the service of the navy
though in event of peace she could secure
lease from further active duty. She fills out
the application papers as a man, stating
among other things whether she has ever served
in the army or navy. In spite of conscious
ness of her manly position the yeoman is not
mannish. She does not adopt a masculine stride,
though her skirts are full enough at the hem, as
per uniform specifications, to permit it She
smiles occasionally at the sailor boy who occu-
pies the desk next hers hurries past her on
message, and after office hours she be
strolling down Pennsylvania avenue from the