The New York herald., 1922-01-04
NOBOBBED HAIR BAN
In REGISTER OFFICE
Miss Mathews Has Own Ideas,
but Will Not Dictate to
Women Employees.

Punctuality has aiways Deen one OF
the virtues OF the Office of Register OF
New York county under the adminis;ra-
tion OF men for goodness knows how
many years. And Miss Annie Mathews.
the first woman Register, does not In
tend to spoil that record. She believes
In intensive work during short hours.
1t was "a few minutes after 4 o'clock
yesterday afternoon. at the end OF her
] hrst day as head OF a force OF 1873 men
and nine women. Edmund +. Holanan,
chief deputy for many years, who has
been reappointed, appeared in the door
OF Miss Mathews's private office with
coat and hat on. II seemed TO be a
signal. Turning TO some visitors. she
SAID: Now you must go we are going
| TO close up
II was but an example OF what she
had been saying only few minutes be-
fore. that she believed In keeping short
hours. but working during those hours.
A person cannot. be efficient who
works too long" she declared Our
hours here Will be from to 4, as they
have always been"
Miss Mathews acknowledged she hed
been bit late in arriving In the morn
ing. due to her unfamiiarity with the
subway rush hour. II must say i did
! Hot hhe lt, she declared.
Changes? No. am not going to do
reply to question. Il am going slowly
and learn as l CO.
No shifting OF Furniture.
! She has no intention even of shifting
the furniture around in her private of
ice, something woman might be ex-
Z n rot A IL
rule was already In force.
Miss Mathews has no intention of
dictaung as TO tho personal appearance
/ or the few women employees although
she has some positive ideas on that SUBJ
! Ject.
| OF a rather stout, good natured type,
! with blond hair and n contagious laugh,
the Register was dressed in a plain
black frock that reached Sust to the
tors of high shoes. 1t was open slightly
at the neck. which was surrounded by
string OF transparent blue beads over
soft white collar. She wears glasses. and
yesterday carried a handbag as she
went through the various departments
under her control.
! mo, I don't intend to dictate as to
Dress" said Miss Mathews. II do feel.
however, that girl who dresses In
| businesslfke manner shows both good
taste and judgment A rirl In Fifth
| avenue modiste's establishment might be
pardoned for putting on fri'ls. but here
now take Miss Bonner. didn't she look
4 we'll dressedg'
Reference was made 10 Miss Loretta
Bonner OF 1870 West F'ifty-second street,
appointed by Miss Mathews as assistant
cashier In the office. She is the Tam
many woman leader OF the Terth As
sembly district, young. vivscious
/ brunette, who carried on her duties in
n simple back frock Mrs. Josephine
Flynn of 225 West 120th street, named
bv Miss Mathews as her secretary, was
similarly garbed She is vce-chairman
Of the Tammsny committee in the Nine
teenth Assembly district, of which Miss
Mathers is the co-leader.
No Bobbed Heads Visible.
"will let them bob their hair?" Miss
Mathews's merry laugh rang out. "rhev
can bob 1t all they like" But no bobbed
! heads were visible. She said she was
glad longer skirts were coming into
style. but she didn't want them too long
yes, I think I'll find 1t comfortable
70 work with staff of men. don't
believe any of the sex antagonism re-
mains i have been received in a most
friendly spirit. Time viii tell how I
shall get on. II depends on my ability"
Mise Mathews had a pleasant word
and smile for each r1ember Of the
force as she went from desk to desk.
seeking information about the work.
Can | be free TO go and come as 7
uRe?" asked one. who explained he had
been accustomed IN the course of his
work TO be out OF the office a great
deal.
"Oh. youth have to ask me-" she re-
Piled with a merry twinkle In her eye
''Be sure not 10 stay out five minutes
longer than you should"
I'VE won't be strangers" she said 10
another. "but you must forgive me n
don't remember your name. I'm such a
poor hand at that"
Regular business was Hight YESTERDAY.
but just TO celebrate the occasion Il
record was made In the recording of a
deed, which usually takes an average OF
four days. II was received at o'clock
in the morning and delivered at
o'clock In the afternoon.
Miss Mathews was interested in two
Torrens deeds upon which a member Of
the staff was working. Only about
twenty-five OF them have been made
since the law went into effect In 1915.
John j. Hopper complained that former
Register Donegan had done nothing 20
encourage the system.
IL don't want TO express any opinl IN
on IT," said Miss Mathews. I'VE have
every facility here for registering land
under the Torrens system. but pushing
Il should be in the hands OF tho real
estate people
CHILEAN OBSERVATORY