Evening star., 1942-04-12

pected. Four people in a room, in
tended for two at most, is luxury.
Thousands Of Women
On U. S. Payroll.
In a bulletin recently issued by
Miss Mary Anderson, director of
the Women's Bureau, United States
Department of Labor, she reported
that in the War Department at the
last counting there were 10000 wom-
en- on its payroll. Of this number
more than 1000 were in Washing
ton, while the Navy Department
has doubled its feminine forces and
is calling for more. Women are
in demand in other Federal agen-
cies. She says since there is no
breakdown of figures showing the
number of Office workers, there are
reliable clues for a fair estimate.
In the fiscal year 1941 the Gov
eminent took on 10000 stenog-
raphers and typists. Ninety five
per cent of the stenographers in
the country are women, and the
percentage Of women Office machine
operators other than typists is only
slightly less. As examinations are
kept open continually for stenog-
raphers, typists, tabulating machine
and alphabetic card punch opera
tors, the influx Of new personnel in
all departments of the Government
has reached gigantic proportions.
After going over the situation
with fine-tooth comb and analyz-
ing reports made at first hand from
all parts of the United States, Miss
Anderson says there are nearly
100000 women who can be re-
cruited this year for work in war
industries and other essential serv-
ices. 1t was pointed out that 100000
women were already in the total
war labor force in January, 1912,
and that this total is expected to
increase from 100000 to $4,000, 900
by 1943. 1t is interesting to note
that women are now taking on COM
bination clerical and production
duties in some war plants, and about
4 per cent of the Office supervisors
in manufacturing are women. In
the industrial centers half the de-
mands for Office workers are said
to come from industrial concerns.
With women in key positions in in
dustrial and business concerns,
thousands of men are being re-
leased for active service in the
fighting forces.
Miss Anderson
Is Revelation.
Miss Anderson is a revelation to
those who meet her for the first
time. She has none Of the ear
marks Of a clubwoman or business
woman. Her manner is not ag-
gressive, and her expressive blue
eyes are typical of her native Swe-
den. She likes housekeeping If she
had time-dogs-those Spitz of the
Far North appeal to her she
can give one the recipes for the
most delectable smorgasbord-those
Swedish hors d'oeuvres that make
one want more she likes the
embroideries, the weavings and the
IldIlulWUlh SllC h1lcW 81 WCll dS d
child in those far-off days on the
farm at Linkoping. Sweden, where
she was born and where she at
tended the village school.
AS Washington society evolves
annually it will be much easier for
those who have a country house or
places at summer resorts to lend
their town houses for the duration
and relieve a housing situation
which Is becoming desperate.
Always remembering his wander
Ing life in America and his strug-
gle for mere existence, John
Masefield, the poet laureate of Eng
land. several years ago raised S2,500
to equip the Gloucester home for
young wayfarers. He now gives his
autograph only for money con-
sideration, and the sum derived is
used to help the present housing
situation in parts of England where
it is most needed. He will only
autograph one of his own books
autograph albums or birthday books
cannot be used.