The Washington times., 1921-06-21
Married WOMAN
TELLS WHY SHE
NEEDS j. s. JOB
Circumstances Compel Her to
Work, She Says. In Opposing
ousting Of Wives.

The voice of the notorious" mar
ried woman IL heard above the harsh
words Of the fighting nsppers as they
criticize sisters who. with their hus-
bands, are employed in Government
offices.
1t carries a pathetic story of sacri-
nee. too-a story which may make
unmarried girls think more kindly OF
the workers at their side who are
taking the worries OF married life
without a whimper.
II am one OF those notorious en-
ployed married women" says this
writer to the Times. 'Tm one of
those, who. according to various ex-
pressed opinions. should vacate and
make room for tho single girls In the
Government departments.
CALLS 1T UNJUST.
ITO cross the name Of every mar
ried women from the pay rolls would
indeed be very narrow and unjust II
would seem that efficiency should be
the most important consideration In
deciding who among the clerks shall
face the gate as the time for reduc-
tion of forces come.
81 want to say a word In defense
OF the married women. i am q mar
ried woman. employed In the Govern
ment. not OF choice but Of necessity.
am married to an ex-soldier, who,
after three years of service is md
ing II no easy task to get on his feet
financially. And to make It doubly
hard. he had a physical disability
which handicaps him discouragingly.
in addition to these conditions
am called upon to assist my parents
financially, due to the age and poor
health of my father. / also am keep
ing my young sister in school. 1 dare
say there are not so many single
girls who would care to assume the
responsibilities that I am shoulder
Ing
HUSBAND SAW SERVICE
Ny husband gave three of the
best years OF his life, gladly, to the
service. came out handicapped ply
sically and financially. and now j am
trying to do my part In helping him
TO get back to normal again. II Is
not pleasant 10 tell all these person
al conditions to those around me In
the War Risk Bureau. 30 j am bitter
ly criticized by various people who
know nothing about my circum-
stances. -
IT realize that there are many mar
ried women who are working In the
departments possibly because they
prefer that to housework. and some
of them, apparently. In order that
they may dress lavishly. But i do
not believe many other married
women. along with myself, deserve
commendation."
Another writer joins with b
Fair" whose interesting letter ap-
peared In The Times n few days ago.
''Give the work to those who need It.
be they married or unmarried. she
says. II am also employed In the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
/ know there are many of both
groups who seem TO use all their
salaries on clothes and good times.
HUSBAND Is ENGINEER
"T know of one woman whose hus-
band Is an engineer on the railroad
His salary is probably between $3.50
to $3.50 per month. She employs a
housekeeper to look after her apart
ment and small child. She claims she
has absolutely nothing to do with her
own money but use IL for her pleas
ure. She works from 4 to IL in the
evening. She says she leaves her
home every morning and spends the
day downtown, gets two meals there.
and then spends the rest of the time
In the movies, day after day.
There Is another woman here
whose husband is a plate printer
earning a good salary. They have
no children, own a fne home and
drive to and from work In a hand
some car.
These are only two cases of many
of which I know. / have worked in
the Bureau a long time, and I can
truthfully say that those married
women who do not need the work are
in the majority. I believe there are
some who do need It, but I do not
know of one case where the jobs are
absolutely needed by married women.
Il am likewise satisfied that there
are some unmarried girls who only
use their money for dress, but there
are not many Of these. j am sure the
needy ones are In the majority in the
unmarried group. 1t does not seem
az though II would be such a diff,-