The Washington times., 1921-06-12
WIVES RAP
BILL TOEND
FAMILY JOB
McCumber Measure Is Blow
Aimed at Matrimony, Say
Brides Who'd Lose Places.

has been able to make possible her
own marriage through employment
which has brought the family in
come to the level necessary for the
adventure in double harness.
Senator McCumber aims at the re-
lease of wives or husbands in cases
where both are employed by the
Government. Too much family re-
union"-cases of several members of
one family working for the Govern
ment while some individuals with
ependents-children mothers or in
valids-are struggling along on the
contents of single meager pay en-
velope, says the senator.
PENALTY FOR MARRIAGE.
Others have other thoughts on the
Senator's propos1l The Reclassii IA
tIonist. the organ OF the Federal "m-
ployes who seek regeneration OF the
civil service. declares that enforce
ment Of such proposals would place
penalty on marriage. Should a wom-
an be denied the right to work for
living just because she has been un-
fortunate enough to tie herself II a
worthless man." it asks.
Tens o Thousands Of marriages
are made at present on the theory that
the wife car keep on earning money.
and many women bring children iuto
the world on the theory that il their
husbands cannot support them, they
can do il themselves. To deny or
abridgP this right is going to greatly
increase the high percentage OF wori-
en- OF the educated classes who remain
single" Elizabeth n. Barr assistant
editor of the publication. points out.
And as for the crop of bachelors
more bachelor halls will be necessary
10 house the men who fall somewhat
short of being able TO properly care
for and educate family, says Miss
Barr.
Women will risk marrying the
thousands of pretty good men who
cannot under present conditions earn
enough for two or more. If they know
they can supplement his earnings, but
they will not take such risks If de-
MED the right of work.
III va want fewer marriages. more
divorces. and fewer children among
middle classes. go ahead with the
handicaps on the earning power Of
women, especially married women,
advises Miss Barr.
NOT WORTH MORE PAY
To the answer that the men might
he bile to make more money il women
stepped out OF the bread winning
class. Miss Barr declares that there
will always be class Of men who
aren't paid enough TO support a family
simply because they aren't worth it.
And increasing the quality and
ability Of men is a bigger job than
even Congress is equal to" she con-
Cludes.
Interested in learning the attitude
~. 4.
asked what bearing the domestic
status OF employees had to do with
their appointment to positions. or
their release in case of force reduc-
ton
Each case must be judged by it,
self" said the chief clerk of the Navy
Department. NO one can make
general rule which will work for the
interests of the Government, for eff
cheney of the department ia what we
are after instead of what the indiVid-
ual thinks should be done. We try not
to work hardships on any person. but
office efficiency and not family ties
are what we bs our judgment on in
each case"
NOT DOMESTIC ARBITER.
Chief Clerk of the Department Of
Justice: "It has been our policy to re-
lease temporary workers first though
efficiency is recognized and there are
cases where both married and unmar-
ried women have been retained when
their work warranted. We are not
interested in domestic affairs of the
workers, but we have endeaNored to
place no penalty on anyone because
Of their domestic status. Efficient
service is what We are after. not
pleasing the fancy Of individuals"
Director of the Census. Commerce
Department: Were here to get this
work done as quickly as possible
with the aid Of single or married en-
ployes Because of the nature OF our
work, the large percentage OF our
force Is temporary, and we don't care
whether the workers are married or
not, as long as they deliver the goods.
No law must he passed Which viii in
terfere with the rapid completion Of
this work. We release the least "fri-
Cient first. and their home relations
don't enter into their separation"
VETS ARE FAVORED.
Chief Clerk. war Department: "lt
has been our policy to retain eX-ser-
vice men and unmarried women. re-
leasing married women first but we
have endeavored to consider each case
separately
j. E. Harper, appointment clerk.
Treasury Department. through whose
oifiCe pass the recommendations or
colonel Wainer, personnel officer Of
'he War Risk Bureau: NO policy has
bccn outlined by the Secretary touch
e. < on the question OF the domestic
status OF the department workers.
The belief seems prevalent. however.
.hat wives should he released before
Cuarried women. length Of service and
'fcieucy being. Of course. considered.
Much OF the reduction required i'm the
war Risk especially has come
through designations, in which cases
,, arriage did not figure. The greater
justice appears to be Inv favor of re-
sease Of wives when husbands are
I;Iso employed in Government ser
wee"
chief Cler,. Tressury Department:
'Jt seems unfair that both husband
:. wife should he employed by the
Government 10 tho disadvantage Of
'"m" unmarried person having de-
ud"uts."
The chief clerk of the Agriculture