Superintendent of mechanical department.-The superintendent

of the mechanical department is responsible for the operation of the entire mechanical equipment and for the upkeep and repair of the buildings and furniture.

Under the foreman carpenter comes all frame construction, painting of woodwork, repair and painting of furniture, the keeping of all mechanical stores, and upkeep of grounds.

Under the foreman plumber comes all engineering, steam fitting and firing necessary in a plant which furnishes its own heat and steam, as well as all repairs to plumbing. When it is considered that there is running water in every bedroom, 288 showers, and 72 bathtubs in the 12 houses alone, it may be seen that this is no small undertaking.

Under the foreman electrician is placed the entire`care of electric lighting and of the electric fire-alarm system. This section also carries the responsibility for keeping the motor trucks and cars in repair and operating.

Superintendent of laundry.-The superintendent of the laundry operates six sections, where clothes are marked, washed, flat work mangled, wearing apparel starched and ironed. The bundle work from the residents is received and delivered through the laundry office, and the sewing section attends to mending as well as making of uniforms, towels, and other needed articles.

Registrar. The registrar is responsible for keeping the rooms filled. Even with a long waiting list, it is quite possible to fall short of maximum service and to curtail the income by substantial amounts if rooms are allowed to lie idle between tenancies.

The registrar accepts all applications for rooms, assigns rooms to incoming guests, and plans the work for the desk clerks, where service is furnished from 7 a. m. to 11 p. m. every day, including Sunday.

Superintendent of infirmary.-The superintendent of the infirmary, together with an assistant, is responsible for the administration of the infirmary service, at present covering calls to rooms of guests reported ill, dispensary and care of patients admitted to infirmary. It is the object of the infirmary to give medical assistance and advice to those guests who become ill or physically disabled. The beds in the ward are for guests who need special nursing care or supervision, the rooms having been used principally for neurasthenic isolation.

When guests are reported ill through the house managers, the call is designated as for "general rounds," "urgency," or "emergency." A visit is then made to the houses immediately, if it be "emergency"; as soon as reasonably convenient, if "urgency"; and between 10 a. m. and 12 m., also 8-9 p. m., if "general rounds." The visit determines whether or not a physician is needed and removal to infirmary advisable or necessary. If a physician is unnecessary, simple medicines and treatments are advised. If recovery or marked improvement is not evident within 24 hours, the attendance of a physician is urged.

At stipulated hours each day, morning and evening, the office is open for dispensary calls. This service has met the greatest demand for professional advice or treatment, particularly since many of the department dispensaries have been closed, thus making the workers almost entirely dependent upon this insti

tution.

As an average for a week there are eight patients continually in the infirmary, about 35 outside calls, and 140 dispensary cases treated. Dispensary patients are principally wound dressings, local treatments, complaints of chronic disorders, and minor acute ailments. A few slight operations, such as the opening of boils and infections, and applying of casts have been performed in the dispensary with very satisfactory results.

Guests developing contagious or infectious diseases are sent directly to hospitals from their rooms; also patients who become critically ill are also sent to local hospitals. An adequate stock of general medicines is kept on hand and furnished the patient as necessary.

Since the 1st of June, at which time the infirmary was opened, the work has steadily increased and branched out, until the de

mand upon services has been greater than the source of supply. It is interesting to note that there has been an amazing lack of gastro-intestinal disturbances, and that at no time, even during the very hot weather, was there an increase in the cases. Over 90 per cent of the cases are guests who do not eat here or whose indisposition could be directly traced to some indiscretion in eating outside.

Our records show a remarkable lack of illness on the whole for an institution administering to nearly 2,000 women. Undoubtedly the excellent living conditions, as nearly perfect in its sanitation as is possible, and the generous, varied, and balanced diet have been directly responsible for these records.

THE GUESTS.

Long before the Government Hotels were finished, applications for rooms began to pour in, but the United States Housing Corporation refused to register applications during the summer months, as Washington held such a changing population that a list made in July would hardly be useful in December.

On October 10, 1918, however, the following multigraphed letter was sent to the different executive departments:

In order to arrive at a proper apportionment of the rooms in the Washington Hotels for war workers, we are asking each department to secure from its bureaus, and submit to us, a list of its applicants for these rooms. From these we shall be guided in determining the pro rata number to be allotted in each case. We suggest that the applications from each bureau be numbered, so that we may allot rooms to the first 100 or 500 applicants of each bureau, as the case may be, in the event of a shortage of accommodations. The hotels are to be situated (1) on the Plaza opposite the Union Station, and (2) at Twenty-third and B Streets. The first group is expected to be ready for occupancy in December and the second some time in February. The Plaza unit will provide accommodations for 1,944 women, chiefly in single rooms. The unit at Twenty-third and B Streets will provide similar accommodations for about 1,600 women, and will also include accommodations for about 1,400 persons in small kitchenette apartments of three and four rooms. These apartments will be used primarily to house families of war workers.

It is expected that the charges for single rooms, including hotel service in the dining rooms, will range from $40 to $45 per month, including two meals on week days and three meals on Sundays. May we respectfully ask that you give us the list of applicants in your department not later than November 16. At the earliest date possible we shall apportion to the various departments the accommodations to which they may be entitled.

This was followed on October 29, 1918, with a further communication to the following effect:

DEAR SIR: One of the purposes in opening the new Washington Hotels for Women is to afford additional accommodations to house war workers here.

This purpose is likely to be frustrated in part if all of the rooms are to be occupied by war workers already housed in Washington, as it is estimated that not over 50 per cent of the rooms will again be available for other war workers. The Civil Service Commission has made strong representations to us to reserve a considerable proportion of the rooms for the use of new arrivals, and it may seem advisable to accede to this request. In any event, the heads of

departments are earnestly requested to recommend as applicants for the rooms in the hotels only such persons as are not now comfortably housed.

Very truly yours,

Approved.

ALFRED S. AMER, General Manager of Washington Hotels. ALLAN ROBINSON, Manager, Operating Division.

On November 1 the president of the United States Civil Service Commission wrote again to the Secretary of Labor urging that "accommodations for 1,000 persons in the residence halls on the Union Station Plaza and for an additional thousand in the residence halls at Twenty-third and B Streets be set aside for the accommodation of women (stenographers and typists) to be recruited for appointment in the various departments and offices." On November 14, Mr. Allan Robinson replied to the commission that it did not seem wise to reserve so many rooms for newcomers, but that it was the purpose of the bureau to reserve 300 rooms for transients at a higher rate than permanent guests.

In the meantime rumors of the efforts of the Civil Service Commission to place newcomers had caused uneasiness on the part of those already here. On October 24 the director of the Air Service, War Department, wrote to Mr. R. S. Childs, who had been designated to represent the War Department in the assignment of rooms, protesting against discrimination against those who have "demonstrated an unfaltering desire to be of service that has not only proven their loyalty and patriotism, but has in some cases endangered their health."

A prospectus of the hotels was circulated by Mr. Childs in the War Department.

On November 2, 1918, Mr. Childs informed the United States Housing Corporation that in spite of every effort to reduce applications of the War Department to a minimum there were total applicants for rooms, 2,029; applicants for suites, 451; total applications, 2,480.

The plan was for each department to draw from the urgent applications the names of those who could be accommodated in the space assigned to each depart

ment.

But the armistice, with its accompanying delay in the construction of the hotels, prevented the immediate announcement of the names of those who could secure rooms.

Mr. Childs left Washington soon after the armistice, and for a few months applications for rooms were received and assignments made by an officer in the Adjutant General's office. But the war was won. There was no longer need for apportionment. One Government worker's application was as valid as another. After the houses were in actual operation this long-distance method was found to be quite inadequate, due to the fact that young women often

did not claim their assignments and due to the further difficulty of filling vacated rooms promptly.

The accompanying chart (p. 311) shows how far behind the capacity the occupancy lagged during the first four months of 1919. The names turned over from the Adjutant General's office when G-H was opened on May 10, 1919, failed to fill half the building. From May on, applications were received at the Government Hotels. It took a little time to build another list, as the popular impression prevailed that no rooms were available and applicants had been discouraged from registering. The rumor, too, was quite persistent that the hotels would be closed or turned over to concessionaires.

Capacity was soon reached, however, and when 100 rooms in T-U, a building which had been used to house employees, were opened on July 15, they were soon filled.

Summer vacations, however, were causing much confusion and a policy was needed. On July 1 a responsible registrar was appointed to unify the receiving of applications with the assigning of rooms. This has resulted in the prompt filling of vacated rooms and has thus made sure of maximum income.

On September 15, 1919, there was a waiting list of 1,500, and if there had been the slightest chance of accommodating those who registered the list could have been greatly extended. Under the various plans for making application and assigning rooms, it has always been necessary for Government employees to secure the signature of their chief or welfare worker in order to be placed on the eligible list for admission to the Government Hotels.

In general, any Government employee who can find a vacancy may live in the hotels. There are few rules-only those limitations and inhibitions which it is necessary to observe when 2,000 persons live in close quarters. It is true that some women are not constituted to live comfortably in community life, and, after a trial, these are advised to find quieter quarters or living accommodations offering greater privacy. The Government Hotels are not planned for special service. They are suitable only for those who are willing to accept what can be given to all and cheerfully to deny themselves what may not be granted to all.

Washington has shown what can be done to injure health and disturb the peace of mind of Government employees who have had to sleep in close, dirty rooms and to eat unpalatable meals. If comfortable, airy rooms, wholesome meals, and pleasant recreation can contribute to health, happiness, and efficiency, the Government departments ought to be profiting by the fact that more than 1,800 women workers are exposed to good housing, with every chance that it will "take."

Meal hours are from 7 to 8:30 a. m. and from 5:30 to 7 p. m. on week days, and on Sunday from 8 to 10 a. m. and 1 to 3 p. m.

As there are 1,068 seats and nearly 2,000 guests, most of the tables are filled twice. This means that residents are shown to seats by the captains as in any other hotel dining room.

For breakfast the fruit is found on the table; the cereal and main breakfast are served in two courses. Coffee is brought on in large metal pots, which are left on the table. This gives a second cup or that valued last hot portion which is so comforting to coffee lovers. Toast, rolls, butter, milk, and cream are not limited.

As soon as anyone is seated at a waitress's table she starts to the kitchen for her six plates of soup, as the captain will plan to have her table filled by the time she returns. The meats and vegetables are then served, the orders for choice in drinks taken, and after this the salad and dessert are served. Because most of the Government departments close at 4:30 or 5, the dining rooms fill promptly at 5:30, which means that by 6:15 those who prefer a later dinner may find the second servings ready.

In the houses a resident may find a welcome light until 11 at night. She is not met by a forbidding hallway, but must pass through a hospitable lobby furnished with comfortable lounge chairs on her way to her room. In each lobby is a small hotel desk, where she may claim her key, find her mail, and receive any messages. Once in her room visitors and telephone calls are announced by a buzzer from the house desk. If she comes in after 11 at night there is the night watch woman to admit her without delay or question. When she sleeps she is guarded against danger of fire or trespass. Needed repairs will be looked after if she reports them to the house manager.

If she cares for a reading lamp the hotel electrician will make the proper connections for it.

If she cares to wash her own clothes she may do so in the basement laundry, and may attach her iron to the connection there provided. She may send her clothes to the hotels laundry, where the prices are from 25 to 50 per cent less than in commercial establishments.

If she cares to cook something for a "spread" or for a sick friend, she may use the kitchenette.

If she falls ill, the nurse from the infirmary will call upon her. The house manager will see that she is sent her meals. If she

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needs special treatment and yet is not ill enough to go to a hospital she may be received at the infirmary.

If she cuts her finger, contracts a sore throat, burns her hand, needs a dose of any household remedy, she may call at the infirmary dispensary and be "fixed up" with a very strong chance that serious consequences will be avoided.

With the exception of the corner rooms, all the bedrooms are single and a resident may claim companionship in the lobbies, but find absolute privacy in her own room. She may find hot bath water night or day. She may find cold drinking water in her corridor.

There is always some one on duty to call in case she needs assistance of any kind.

She may invite unlimited company for meals without notice. to the cook. She may arrange for a reserved table for a dinner party in a few minutes.

For a fee of $2 a month or $5 for three months' tuition, she may enter recreation classes three nights a week and keep in fit condition to carry on her sedentary occupation.

THE FINANCES.

How is this service paid for? Because Congress in the name of the people of the United States has given the use of the land pending its dedication to parks, and has contributed the buildings and their furnishings and equipment, it is possible to give this protection and this service for $45 a month.

If interest on the investment and depreciation were charged the price would be at least $60 a month. If the hotels were in profit-making hands any price up to $100 could be charged and secured, or the service could be cut to slim meals with little nutritive value, the infirmary could be closed, the houses could be manned by housekeepers, the dining rooms could be converted into cafeterias, the watch protection abandoned, and the Government employees could be generally exploited as they have been in the past. But the purpose of this housing experiment has been to show just what service could be given for a reasonable charge.

It is true that the change in the purchasing power of a dollar makes rates somewhat misleading, but taken in relation to salaries now paid, here is how the account looks:

Average minimum salary of Government employees...... $1,100
Room and two meals, infirmary service, Govern-
ment Hotels, at $45......

Lunches at 25 cents, six days (50 weeks)
Car fare...
Laundry..

Recreation work.

$540

75

30

60

15

720

$380

Experienced workers, of course, are paid more than $1,100. Since when in the world's history could a beginner live at a good hotel, pay for all service (there are no fees), pay lunches, car fare, laundry (unless she cares to save the cost by doing it herself), secure recreational activity (not passivity), and still have a residue of $380 to spend for clothes, doctors, dentists, and vacation, or contribute to the support of

her parents? And if she takes her vacation she may sublet her room for what she pays and omit the purchase of a meal ticket, thus having $45 toward vacation expenses.

And as the salary is larger, this living expense remains static, a state which many a head of family would welcome.

It is true that some of the Government, employees believe that the price should be reduced because the "Government" can buy things for little or nothing; because the "Government" now owns the railroads and can ship provisions at no cost; because the "Government" has to pay no rent; because the "Government" does not need such a heavy overhead; because those who live in the buildings could manage them without cost for supervision; but will the sound business men and women who make the backbone of the Nation study the receipts and expenditures and believe that the Federal employees who live in the

HARLEAN JAMES.

Manager, June 18, 1919, to date.

because