Arizona republican., 1918-11-09

DENIES NARROWING TALES
 FROM WASHINGTON

The local secretary of the civil ser vice commission has just received a letter from the commission at Wash ington in regard to housing conditions in that city. For some time stories have been abroad to the effect that living conditions in the nations capi- tai are so bad as to make the accept ance of position in that city equiva- lent to abandoning even the necessities of life. Certain newspapers have pub lished stories with narrowing details as to how some woman had gone to Washington to work in a government office had been held up by hotels and rooming houses, and, after days of fruitless search for quarters at req sonable rates, had had to give up in despair, all her money gone except enough to buy a ticket back to her home.
 The local secretary says that the same or similar stories have come to him hundreds of times from those who have, in spite of such enemy favoring propaganda, been to him to find out the way to enter government civil ser vice. By such exaggerated stories, doubtless hundreds of people through out the country have been deterred from even making inquiries, and it is safe to say that the work of the gov ernment has been seriously handi- capped as a result.
 Securing an article of the kind above mentioned from a New York paper, Secretary Craig sent it to the commission at Washington, and in reply received the letter from which the following are pertinent para graphs:
 ''The great number of war workers brought to this city has necessarily re- suited in some congestion. There is no doubt that some of the newcomers have met unpleasant experiences, but the reports in circulation are entirely unwarranted by the situation in gem eral. If the article under discussion is based upon facts. it appears that the person referred to failed to consult the agency provided by the govern ment to assist newcomers in obtaining accommodations. This agency, known as the Homes Registration Service is located at 1416 H street N. w, and at all times has had a. list of rooms avail ! able at reasonable prices. In this con- nection. it should be borne in mind that the housing situation will be relieved upon the completion of the government i residence halls The first group ot these buildings is expected to be ready 1 for occupancy late in December. l You should utilize every opportu- nifty to emphasize that persons whC are offered positions in Washington are needed for the successful prosecu- ton of the war program, and they ! should be willing to face difficulties and discomforts which, at the worst could not possibly be compared witf | the sacrifices of our soldiers and sail ors, and that the patriotism of persons responsible for the circulation O. alarming reports concerning housing ! conditions in Washington is open tC l question"
 It is pointed out that, even thougl peace may come soon, the work O 1 the Washington offices cannot stacker ! for many months, as it will require al
 much time to demobiliZe our armie
 and reconstruct our industries as 1 | has to win the war. Therefore, n'
 one should hesitate to enter the worl at the present time.
 Secretary Craig would be glad t
 confer with anyone who is in position
 to go to Washington to help in tn
 offices there. Stenographers and type
 writers, bookkeepers and genera 1 clerks are especially needed. Stenog
 raphers .typewriters and bookkeeper may secure examination on any Tues day by making proper application therefor.
 The next date for the clerical exam ination (which any one who has com
 pleted eight grades of the publi
 schools should be able to pass) is De
 cember :. The local secretary can b
 found in his office between S:50 a. n and 4 D. m. each week day. Office i
 located on the second floor of the Fed
 eral building, room 260.