Evening star., 1944-10-13
Government Girls
Continued From First Page.)

the situation in washington Is
neither different nor worse than in
any other city of comparable size
No crime wave is on. Conditions
may not be perfect, but no condi-
tions can be, during wartime.
ITO say that because of one Incl
dent, all teen-age girls are irrespon-
sible is to disregard the facts. Most
of the girls here are doing great
job, and If they were sent home
1t would be tragedy. They are
needed desperately for essential war
jobs. and they have proved that
most of them can handle their jobs,
and war situations capably. We
can't afford to send them all home.
Suggestions that teen-age Gov
ernment girls be sent home have
been made since the murder of 49,
year-old Dorothy Berrum, War De-
partment employe, last week.
Mr.. Nolan took the view thai
"children" should not be asked to dc
women's jobs. If the Government
girls had a brother or other close
relative here to care for them, he
said, they would be all right, but
they don't have that care.
They are lonely and they fall
into a situation like this" he said
referring to the pickup which start
ed the chain of events leading tc
Miss Berrums murder.
There's certain amount OF
anonymity in leaving a small town
where everybody knows you and
coming to big city like Washing
tom Mr. Nolan pointed out. "The
girls have a freedom they never had
at home"
AS secretary OF the Catholic USO
Clubs in the District, Mr.. Nolan said
the clubs tried to provide adequate
recreation for the girls, but "the
clubs don't reach all of them-or all
the boys, either"
Precautions Urged.
Meanwhile, DR.. Winfred Over
holser. superintendent of st. Eliza
beth's Hospital, declared that
"young girls in Washington today
find themselves up against much
the same problems that soldiers
must face-but they can take care
Of themselves if they try"
Men in the armed forces must live
away from home, among strangers,
In crowded, sometimes unfriendly
conditions, do work they may not
enjoy, and find their fun where
they can, DR.. Overholser said.
What we do not realize is that
this is also true of thousands Ct our
civilian population. But if young
girls in Washington realize the
problems they are up against in this
unnormal wartime world, and de-
termine to take proper precautions,
they need not sink in the mael-
strom"
DR.. Overholser n med four
"musts" for the girl who wants to
keep. herself happy, keep her par
ents from worrying, and keep her
job" They are, pleasant working
conditions, comfortable living ar
rangements, companionship with
people the girl likes, and the right
kind of recreation.
He stressed particularly the need
for companionship and fun. "A
girl doesn't need to find her fun in
beer taverns and on street corners, y
he said, but to keep herself well.
both mentally and physically, it is
essential that she have the right
amount and the right kind of fun.
Every one needs to be around
other people, too. Movies and books
are good entertainment, and help a
person relax. But they shouldn't
be counted on as the only recrea-
ton. You can't talk and meet
people In movie or book"
He urged working girls to joir
recreational groups. IF girl want.
TO meet boys, the USO. church
groups and chaperoned dance.
usually attract boys that are NOR.
interesting and more fun than tn.
Kind you meet on street corners