Evening star., 1937-02-20

assumed, she says-"I have been
fortunate in that have been able to
sit in and see things grow from the
first year Then, too. Mrs. Van
Winkle kept things moving right
along and I had the benefit of her
experience to guide me. 1t has been
of inestimable help"
The head of the Womans Bureau
does not feel, however, that the work
of her agency has come to the
proverbial happy ending and that the
staff can rest on its laurels. Far
from it! I'VE hope" she says. ito
develop the service much further
thar it is now For this. We shall
need a larger staff and more equip
ment. We can't do the job now as
We should do it. Sometimes" she
added ruefully, Il am afraid that we
aren't even living up to the standards
of 1919"
One thing Capt Milliken wants
most to bring about is individual
treatment for the boys who are
brought before the bureau. I'VE try"
she explained, Ito handle all cases
that involve boys under II years Of
age. There is a definite feeling,
however, then when boy IL or l3
years old violates the law, II would
be better for the lad to discuss his
troubles with man. A beginning in
this direction was made last Sum-
mer, when the Police Department as
signed US young officer well fitted
for this work"
Another phase Of protecting the
child's interests is shown in the bu-
reau's refusal to divulge children's
names and their crimes to the press
when it is felt that such publicity
would prove harmful.
DESPITE Capt. Milliken's profess
sional interest in juvenile deli1.
quency and women's and children's
problems, she is equally we'll informed
on other public questions. She is a
staunch supporter of good housing,
particularly for the very poor. But
I expect no miracles" she says, with
a twinkle If we could have just a
little good housing"
II don't get frightfully excited
about world peace. either. 1t would
be mighty nice" she sighed wistfuly,
"but I can't say that am very hope
full"
Capt Rhodas interest in people as
we'll as her civic spirit, accounts for
the fact that she serves on a bunch
of committees" and is an untiring
worker in many professional and edu-
cational organizations. One Of the
projects in which she is most inter-
ested now is a survey Of Washington
organizations that care for children,
which is being advocated by the
Washington Council of Social Agen-
cies
This is only one of the many move
ments which Capt. Milliken must keep
informed. In her own words, There's
always some home work"
The Milliken home is in George
town, where the captain lives with her
mother, whom she adoreS, her sister
who thinks Rhoda's profession is noth-
| ing to boast about-and Smoky,
black cocker spaniel. Smoky has been
| a member of the family for only
three years, but the Millikens couldn't
( get along without him. He even goes
along when they spend an evening
at the library" Miss Rhoda is most
enthusiastic about the Georgetown
Branch of the Public Library. She
says it's beautifully run.
1t is hard to envision this slight,
blond young woman. attired in modish
tweeds. melting out the law in heavy.
handed fashion. And We fancy that
her handling of law breakers isn't
heavy-handed unless it's vitally neces-
sary. AS we said in the beginning.
Capt. Rhoda Milliken is the antithesis
| of the popular idea of a policewoman.