Evening star., 1937-02-20

has she, but pleasant and approach
able manner that sets all comers at
ease. This undoubtedly arises from
her genuine interest in them, for, in
her own words, she likes 'lots of
things-but people, most Of all"
1t seems particularly fitting that,
with her interest in humanity, Miss
Milliken should be head of the Wom-
ans Bureau-for few positions in the
District carry the many opportunities
for public service that her post af-
fords.
Her interest in the unfortunate is
no mushroom growth, but dates back
to the period just before the World
War, when she graduated from Bar
nard College. "At that time I was
very much interested in social work, ="
she said, but in public, rather than
a private, capacity. I had theories
like all women" she added humor-
ously-"that the State had certain
responsibilities in caring for the un-
fortunate"
An opportunity was soon offered her
to try out those theories Louis Brown
low, now chairman of the President S
Reorganization Committee. was then
one of the District Commissioners.
Both he and Maj. Raymond Pullman,
the then chief of police for the Dis
trict, wanted women with social work
training and background in the Po-
lice Department, to handle certain
types of problems. Miss Milliken a
native of Washington. had been serv-
ing in the code section of the Navy
Department. but returned home to
fill one Of the police positions on
Christmas day, 1918.
HER first official duty that day was
to answer the telephone While
waiting for her discharge from the
service, during the following weeks, she
busted herself with child labor inves-
legations for the Woman's Bureau,
which was then located in one room
at the end of a hall in the District
Building. You won't get paid for this,
you know" Maj. Pullman scolded 1T
doesn't matter" replied the newest re-
cruit Il can scarcely expect pay from
two Government jobs. Everything will
| work itself out eventually"
| And it did. The Navy discharge ar
rived. and the ex-yeomanette-a term
she dislikes to this day-was sworn
in as a policewoman on January 81,
| 1919. Her chief was Lieut.. Nina Van
! Wrinkle of the Woman's Bureau, whom
she succeeded in March, 1882. Miss
( Milliken was given the rank of lieu
( tenant at this time and held it until
February IA. 1888, when she was made
acting captain.
The official orders Of that day gave
the following significant reasons for
her promotion: Lieut.. Milliken. in
charge of the Woman's Bureau, is dis
charging duties comparable to those
of captain in the precinct. In addi-
ton. she is director of the House oi
Detention. in which all female prison
ers coming into the custody of the
Police Department, are confined.
"The duties devolving upon this Of
ficer necessarily are very important
and it is felt that Lieut.. Milliken has
discharged these duties in very ef-
flcient ard commendable manner. and
that if she were given additional rank
1t would materially aid her in the
discharge of her duties"
1t is of further significance that
Miss Milliken was asked, in 1890, tC
aid in the establishment of similar
bureau at Fort Worth, Tex. and took
a leave of absence for that purpose.
*
MISS MILLIKEN was officially
Avn made captain on July %, 1896
Few women in this country have had
such distinction bestowed upon them
In speaking Of her latest promotion
and the prominence her work has