The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-06-20
YeOmen (F) Deny They
Hold Jobs Just To Put
On Nifty Duck Uniforms

subsistence, minus light and heat and
other necessaries.
The average yeoman If to keep
up the reputation OF the navy" Miss
Larned said, must keep herself sup
piled with at least three complete
uniforms, ranging anywhere in price
from SIS to $40 each.
The reason why the prices run so
high" she explained, Ifs that many Of
the girls came into the service after
uniforms had been issued and were
compelled to order their dark blue
suits from tailors and dressmakers
who charged war prices"
Senator Page, chairman OF the
Naval Affairs Committee, expressed
warm sympathy with the desire of
the young women to remain in Uncle
Sans service, not as civilian en-
ployes, as the House is trying to
make them do, but as real yeomen Of,
with all the characteristics OF loyal
ty, spirit and hard-working pa
triotism.
How Do They Do It4
Senator Page sought the answer to
the question: How can a yeoman (F)
live in Washington on her present
monthly pay?
Miss Larned hesitated, then brave
ly replied: ut was very difficult
during the war, when prices were so
high. 1t can be done, of course, and
we have lived on $50 a month-but
it wasn't very luxurious living" she
smiled. But l want TO say, I've
never heard any complaints: there
has been every sign of loyalty"
I've heard reports that we are a
dissipated crowd" Miss Larned said
again, because we play billiards.
Well, most of us don't play, and most
of those who do, don't play very
WE'LL
Senator Page showed no inclina-
ton to go further into details of
feminine life, and the questions went
into other matters.
The action of the House in rec
ommending that the yeoman CD force
be turned into civilians, Miss Larned
said, not only was impairing the work
of the girls. but was undermining
the morale of the entire feminine
corps.
A great majority Of the girls en-
listed at the outbreak of the war
and are fully imbued with a patriotic
spirit 10 go anywhere and serve at
anything the heads of their bureaus
direct. If they were compelled to
become civilian employees. she ex-
planned, most of the girls would quit
work rather than become separated
from a service in which they had
every reason to take just pride
Right now il is impossible for them
to resign, having enlisted for four
years, the young yeoman CD testi-
fed. With this proposition hanging
over their heads, the girls are car
rying on" in the face of discourage
ment that threatens seriously to
hamper the work of the offices.
Would Lose "Ambish.7
Senator Page wanted to know
what would be the effect if the girls
became civilian employees.
They would lose their ambition,
their unity and their interest in the |
work if they were to go out" was
the prompt reply.
Miss Larned testified that there
were a total of about 5000 yeomen
Cd in the United States, with at
least 5000 in the Washington offices,
and each one of these girls was proud
TO work for Uncle Sam.
THE finest girls will leave the
service" said Miss Larned. rather
than become civilians, because they
are all ambitious and believe better
may be had elsewhere"
Are the young women quite con-
tent as yeomen (F)?" Senator Page
asked.
Indeed. yes" Miss I.arned replied. |