Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-10-25

VTAsHINGTON, D. c., Oct. 21.-Eagerness of
wv the American boy to get into the scrap over
w there has been equaed only by the long
ing of the American girl to do her bit--preferably
there also While the way across has been easy
enough for the male getting to Paris has been made
almost as hard Tor the girls as for the German
troops. Despite this opposition, some young women
have proved their patriotism and ability and have
received the much desired passports
The slightest rumor of girls being needed by any
organization for overseas service brings in flood
of applications from all over the country. AS
whole, these applicants are sincere IN their desire
to help, though many sadly lacking in the most
essential qualifications The general feeling ex-
pressed by these girls is that France is the center
of activity, and that being small cog in the
wheel of the machinery in France is preferable
to more important work in this country. Some
want to go because they have been told that higher
salaries are paid to workers IN France. but tney
fail to understand that a Higher cost of living in
Europe offsets this increase.
The spirit of adventure urges others to apply
and still others think that they will see something
of France and the A girl of this last
type, who applied at service recruiting office,
Immediately proved herself unfit by her questions
as to how much of France she would see and how
she would have vacation.
1t has come as a disappointment to many girls
that the department has decided not to send
young women to France for office duty. Plans have
been under consideration to send about five thou
sand girls to France as stenographers, typsts and
women were being recruited for this purpose
brought in thousands of applications before the
government was equipped with application blanks
and a sufficient staff of workers to handle heavy
correspondence
Girls from government departments at Wash
ington formed waiting line at the war department
recruiting office, and were given chance to explain
why they peculiarly fitted for the work The
qualifications demanded by the war department
for the most part similar to those other war
organizations requiring in their foreign service
workers. College graduates were preferred, but
business experience accepted as substitute.
Each applicants efficiency and motives in desiring
to go abroad were strictly questioned.
That the girls might fully understand the seri-
Gus character of the work, they were told that no
eight-hour day would be in force, but that they
would be expected to work long and steadily; that
they would probably be stationed in Paris, but
would see practically nothing of the reputed gay
life of that city, that coal for heating residences is
unknown in Paris; and finally that they would have
to go prepared to stay three or four years.
Prophecies of hardship only increased the de-
termination of many applicants. The first quotas
of three hundred and fifty girls to be sent over in
November were easily made up, and the accepted
candidates were told to be in readiness, and other
units were being recruited when new order
issued remanding the ruling permitting the use of
girls, and substituting limited-service men.
The main reason for this decision appears to
have been the fact that many drafted men unfit for
active service are available. These be
sent across crowded transports, and housed in