Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-26
DR.. Anna Shaw Joins
Capital Policewomcn
BY Frederic ]. Haskin

Washington. d. C., Dec. 23.--The
dignity and worth Of the profession Of
| policewomon have been established for
once and for oil in the eyes Of American
| women by the fact that DIR. Anna Howard
Shaw, the famous and we'll beloved leader
Of the sliffragists. has been sworn in as an
honorary member Of the police force Of
| the District OF Columbia
| DIR. Shaw has been a professor, an
! author, minister, and is stateswoman Of
| international reputation, but for 10 years,
according to herself, she has cherished an
| ,lnfulflled ambition 10 be q policewonnan,
| and at last her ambition has been ful6llcd.
The policcwoman has been an interest
| ing figure in some American cities for
=! year or more. Her usefulness is admitted.
But public opinion has not quite SIC
/ cecded in placing her yet. II has not de-
cided whether it is quite "womanly' 10
be a policewoman, and neither has it de-
cided where to put the policcwornan in
| the social scale.
WORTHY or BEET WOMEN.
DR. Shaw's enlistment in the District
Of Columbia police force may be taken as
expressing the opinion. which is held by
all really thoughtful students Of social
| problems that the profession of police
| woman is one with immense possibilities
| for good. and one which is worthy of
| women Of the very bcst education and
ability The Washington police force,
| under Major Pullman, has recognized this
| fact by enlIsting a corps Of just such
women in it's service.
The Washington police force has now
eight women in its Women's Division
This bureau, which was started last Sep
tember, has proved TO be so valuable that
Major Pullman, chief OF police, has re-
utested the United States Employment
Service to supply him with as many more.
As fast as applicants can prove that they
are qualified 10 undertake the work, they
are being sworn in.
In discussing the necessary qualifications
for policewomcn Major Pullman said:
mo woman need apply TO the u. $.
Employment Service for place IN our
women's bureau who does not have
social conscience and desire 10 serve
humanity. For the woman who Just
wants job we have no place. ! want to
elevate the standard of police work so il
will attract women Of good education and
the best ability. The problems that con-
front us are often 50 delicate and intricate
that they can only be handled by esrcciallz
trained women
Police work is something more than
supplying n man with club, and telling
him to 20 forth and put all the bad men
IN Jail Our object Is prevention rather
than punishment, and 10 is because Of the
new appreciation of police ethics that the
presence of women in police work Is 50
necessary"
An outline Of the work done by women
includes the following duties: To dis
cover conditions needing corrections, to
supervise amusement places To aid in
locating runaway girls. 70 follow and warn
girls in danger, to assist m enforcement
OF the law, 10 befriend girls whose home
life does not give protection Of the right
sort and to do personal work with women
and girls
1T IS the object Of the bureau to handle
most Of the crimes committed by or
against women and girls and TO investi-
gate conditions placing girls in danger
A thorough survey has been made of the
conditions in Washington hotels, roomlng
and boarding houses, rest rooms. buriesque
shows, dance halls. movies. parks, plav-
grounds and workrooms. The bureau is
also cooperating with all existing agen-
cies IN Washington and elsewhere To facili- |
tate Investigations and TO serve as a |
general clearing house of information of |
all girls who come in contect with these |
agencies. A record IS kept on file of every
girl brought 10 the attention of the bll- /
reau These records are Of course, only |
accessible to those directly interested in /
the case.
Preventive work, | think. is what the |
women Of the bureau are more interested /
in than anything else. said Mrs. Arthur
Is Spingarn head of the bureau III bv !,
4 little foresight. a httle extra work We |
can prevent some girl from getting into /.
trouble or violating j Law then VIC feel i
more than repaid for our efforts 4 girl I
viii tell her story much more freely 10 "A /
woman Because of the sympathy and I
understanding tbc women police can give !
the case, 1t Is often possible TO have the 4
sentence suspended and the gil let out I
on probation.
The first, time a girl commits arceny .
We are more interested in the conditions
that led to the committing Of this crime |
than IN the actual offence. II Is only by .
making a study oI these conditions tina /
NC eau hope to prevent similar offences +
Besides the regular police work As out /
lined above women MAY also I'll positions
as traffic police Washington is the FIRST
city IN the United States to have d lad,
traffic cop 80 successful has this eX-
pertinent turned out that Major Pullman .
IS ready TO take on any women who have I
the makings OF a traffic director. Only T
strong, athletic women with traffic /
sense" need apply. They must have had +
some experience in driving, and know the i
rules Of the road They must also have T.
gumption. initiative, dignity, resourccful- I
ness, quick observation and confidence. /
Private hing Washington : one and only /
traffic coppette, wears a very becoming /
dark blue uniform with leather belt and !
puttees. The coat is close fitting; the +
full skirt reaches 10 the top Of her puttees. |
Large pockets and brass buttons add an .
air OF swagger to the costume. The small /
blue cap is similar 10 the overseas caps
worn by soldiers. Lady coppers will really
be quite an attraction on public thorough
fares. But the women who wish to apply
should think less about the uniform and
more about the responsibilities, for traffic
must be directed no matter how cold and
wet the winter or how hot the summer
This new profession of policewomen
offers splendid opportunities to the right
women. Welleducated women between
the ages Of % and 10 years, who have had
any training in social work, should be
by IT. At present the pay is only
average, but efforts are being made in
many cities To obtain additional appro-
prlations i'll order 60 pay more ADEQUATE
salaries. Women start with the rank of
but there is good oppor-
f1nJtV Tarnvnoktap ,f - !