Evening star., 1942-12-21
Patterson Defends
War Departments S
Big Civilian Staff
Declares Only 42.47l
In Supply Services Are
Employed in CopitoI

In statement tending to "dispel
. widespread misconception," Un-
dersecretary Of War Robert P. Pat
terson said today that out of total
OF 889 1868 civilians employed by the
Army Services of Supply, largest
employer of all War Department
agencies, only 42.47l, or A. per cent,
are actually working in Washing
ton Offices.
An additional 10,565 civilians in
sos employment live in Washing
ton, but their Offices of employment
are in ereas outside the District.
Mr.. Patterson said he considered
q report on civilian employment
within the Services OF Supply neces-
sary to dispel the widespread mis-
conception that there was heavy
concentration Of workers in the
Capital.
Widely Distributed.
Actually" he said, there are
nearly 5000 more civilians employed
in overseas installations Of the
Services of Supply than are on duty
in Washington.
The remaining 7S8,833 persons
are we'll distributed throughout the
United States"
Mr.. Patterson said that u per cent
or 3o.589 of Washington depart
mental employees within the Services
Of Supply were women, the great
ajority OF whom maintain legal
residence in Eastern and South
eastern States. More than half Of
this number were in the pay grades
of 81. 40 or less per annum prior to
certain overtime increases granted
by Congress before its adjournment.
Most of the SOS women workers
are clerks, stenographers and typ
lists, Mr.. Patterson pointed out. OF
the male employees, skills range from
messengers to technicians who have
spent a lifetime in some specific
profession or trade"
Defends Size Of staff.
An accounting Of the number Of
civilians employed by the War De-
partment places the total in ex-
cess of 100000 workers, Mr.. Pat
terson said.
He defended this number by a
comparison with World War days.
In the World War We were sup
piled with practically all of our
equipment by our Allies" he said.
"In this war we must supply our
Allies, in addition to meeting our
own needs The proportion OF
civilian employees in the World War
was in direct ration to our equip
ment requirements. 1t is no differ
ent today"
Mr.. Patterson declared it would
entail "a terrible waste OF able
bodied military personnel" to con-
fine the multiple duties OF civilian
personnel to the Army.
Outside of Washington and In
the field operations of the sos 81
per cent, or 268, ,O97, of the civilians
employed are women. Mr.. Patterson
said. This brings the proportion OF
women among total SOS employees
to 1876 per cent.
FROM June Jflc gain III cAApioy
ment OF women advanced from rs
per cent to more than 80 per cent
in September, the figures showed,
indicating the success OF the War
Departments plan to release as
many men as possible.
10000 Service Army Posts.
Despite the great growth OF civil
Ian employment within the Services
OF Supply and through other
branches of the War Department,
the Undersecretary said the total
military payroll is more than three
times that for civilians.
OF the s47,4s2 field workers Of
sos, the largest single group, COM
prising 10000, is employed in serv-
icing Army camps and other mill
tary installations.
Arms plants employ the second
largest group of SOS field workers,
consisting OF 154,500 civilians.
Another large group OF $500
handle, distribute and store the
clothing, food and equipment for
the Army.