The Washington herald., 1918-02-04
Want. Marriage Rureau.

-s@s. n1NtAoa
Editor. The Washington Herald: In
answer to the editorial Of The Herald.
The Girls in the Trenches" asking
for suggestions regarding the lone
some girl problem, have one sugges-
ton to make. As a government clerk
who was appointed in the government
service at a very young age. 1s years.
unframed in government service work.
but well educated. and not understand
ing the coldness and dullness OF the
National Capital compared to the So
ciaoility and friendliness OF the home
State. believe can appreciate the
feelings Of the young girls coming to
the Capital to work for Uncle Sam.
but Uncle Sam knows. how to look out
for his own interests. The young girl
government clerk will soon find that IL
axes education. merit and some po-
.tcal pull to hold a position in the
government. and advancement beyond
| living salary is often the work OF
many patient years. Is IL fair during
his time 90 deprivel a girl Of the
chance to meet people of good social
standing? Washington is a city OF
clubs. city to which those who have
achieved wealth and fame In the states
-aNaN ~ NSAAAI aAAN DuAAu OUG
has but to walk or ride down Massa-
chusetts avenue. Connecticut avenue
or Sixteenth street northwest and no.
lice the palatial residences to realize
this fact. But the rich who dwell
therein. perhaps for two or three
months in the year. are not on the
same social footing with government
workers. and have ways, means and
leisure to solve social problems that
the government clerk has not. They
may go South in the winter or North
in the summer. but. alas-the poor
government clerk must answer always
the call of duty. So to make a long
story short, am proposing a some
what radical suggestion perhaps. but
one which il The Herald approved
might. with its influence, make sue
cessful. II is this:
Introduce a Till in the House Of SEN
ate TO establish a national marriage
bureau. and have each applicant pap
fee Of 81 TO enroll and give a state
ment OF facts concerning himself or
herself such as his or her health,
family history. age. personal appear
ance, character, financial standing
and type Of wife or husband he or she
seeks. sworn TO before a notary pub
lie.
Europe for years has had public
I festivals for the purpose OF introduc-
ing its young people. and IT is right
and proper that our young girls
should have the freest. most open
legitimate means to meet good men
from all over the country with honest
matrimonial intentions.
According 10 the census Of Washing
ton. 1 think there are about eleven
women to each man in Washington.
This condition is harmful 70 both men
and women. Then, too, the suggestion
l have made would work toward eff
cheney in the government service and
help to solve the retirement and ST.
perannuated problems. for when a girl
finds that work in the government is
Of a most eXacting character, that
| she has mean and unreasonable poll
| tiCians in office 70 deal with, anu
there seems no way to turn. without
\ friends. and away from home, and
she feels generally so discouraged
she would not care almost to meet
someone who owed her money and
wanted TO pay. and not desiring 10
! be a "QHitteT'' TO folks at home. how
I fine would be the possibilities OF the
bureau 1 have mentioned! And The
| HeraId's influence could put this
I measure through and solve the lone
some-girl problem Of Washington.
| II is to be hoped that the passaGs
Of woman suffrage by Congress will.
| by giving women political freedom
remedy the discrimination that pre-
| walls against the poor Southern per
SON. coming to Washington by the
| Yankees. who enjoy most Of the high
positions OF influence in the govern
ment Unless someone is honest
enough to tell the Southern girl that
| II is because she is from the South,
I that she is considered different from
! the Yankee then she will be puzzled
! for years. IL she remains in the ser
vice. not understanding the cause of
! her failures, discomfort and some
! times insults received.
Then with the other features IN
| cident to the war which We all
patiently bear, well you can Judge
| for yourself how well the govern
ernment clerk enjoys himself in Wash
| ington. ANONYMOUS.