Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-11-12
Public Service Field
Opening 10 Women,
Meeting Is Told
Is Speakers Point to-
Greater Opportunities
For GoinfuI Employment

Greater Opportunities
For GoinfuI Employment
Opportunities for women in public
service are continually increasing,
the Washington Committee of the
Institute of Women's Professional
Relations was told at its closing ses-
sion yesterday in the Mayhower
Hotel.
Round table discussions and talks
by IL speakers developed that new
fields IN economic, administrative,
social and scientific service are being
opened and developed for women.
Comparative statistics were offered
covering the last 20 years to show
the increasing employment Of women
IN ad ever broader field Of endEavor.
Judge Dorothy Kenyon of the New
York City Municipal Court presented
. comprehensive table showing the
diminishing scope Of occupations
barred to women. In 1910, she said,
there were 80 occupations barred to
women. Women now have gotten
& fo6thph In practically every line
Of gatnful employment. except for
a few In the heavy industries. She
listed such jobs as steel puddler,
fighting and other muscle work" as
being clear of women. She speci-
flcally pointed out that there are no
women who are sailors, soldiers or
marines, and stated that danger.
strength and custom still closed the
door to certain occupations for
women.
Young Industries Receptive.
As a comment on modern develop
ment, Judge Kenyon pointed out
that young industries. are more re-
ceptive to women than those of
long standing. One of the more
recent fields women have penetrated,
she said, was public housing where
women are finding employment in
considerable number.
Chase Going Woodhouse, an in
situte director, outlined for the
more than 100 luncheon guests the
detectives Of the organization and
claimed that women are facing ira
dition which they must break to
broaden their field of occupation
Mrs. David Cushman Coyle, con-
ference chairman, presided at the
luncheon session.
The late afternoon session heard
reports from a number of Govern
ment experts, including Arch A,
Mercy, assistant director of the
United States Film Service, who
said women have foothold in the
film business and are making ''im-
portant contributions to the in
dustry." However, he warned, it is
their job to qualify for the position
and then produce Results.
Cites Government Art Field.
Edward B. Rowan, assistant chief
Of the Section of Fine Arts, Public
Building Administration, said wom-
en- have an equal chance with men
IN Government art work and that
quality counted in the final analysis.
Other speakers included w. D. Bout
well Of the Once of Education,
Margaret A. Klein of the Labor De-
partment, and Ruth Van Deman Of
the Agriculture Department.
The morning round table discus
sions received statistics showing the
comparative ratio Of women to men
employees In Government and private
industry. I"
Capt. Rhoda J. Milliken of the
Metropolitan Police Women's Bureau
pointed out that the old order when
the widow or woman member of q
former policeman's family was given
employment has how changed in
favor Of the educated social and
specialized worker.
Silcox Among Speakers.
The scientific services speakers
included Roy Hendrickson, director
Of personnel, Agriculture Depart
ment; r. A.. Silcox, chief forester of
the Agriculture Department; Mary
Taylor, editor Of Consumers "Guide, .
and Henry g. knight, Bureau Of
Chemistry and Soils, Agriculture
Department.
With Capt. Milliken on the
economic. administrative and So
cial services program were ]. c.
McCaskill, assistant to the commits
sioner Of Indian Affairs, Interior
Department; Bess Goodykoontz, as
sistant commissioner Of education,
Federal Security Agency; Judge
Marion j. Haxron, Board of Tax
Appeals; Dorsey w. Hyde, director
OF archival service Of the Library
and Museum Service, and Charles
N. Wiltse, assistant to the admin
istrator ot the National Youth Ad.