"'Heaven is not reached in a single bound' but a single
bound landed me in a lovely place. If you want to know all about
the things I have seen take The Geographical Reader on North
America and read what it says about our Capitol. This is the
first time I have ever traveled any distance so I tried to stay
awake all night to see if there was any great change in the appearance
of the country. I discovered none until we reached Pittsburg.
When we reached there it was like meeting a long lost friend,
as the study of this city has always made a great impression
on my mind and I knew at once where we were. We passed the smelters
and could see lots of red hot irons. The hills (or mountains
as I suppose they call them here) are like Pine Bluff, but about
three times higher. As we neared the East the country kept getting
more sandy and it seemed like a waste of time to see people working
in the gardens which were poor excuses for the same. The thought
came to my mind that good old Wisconsin would have to double
up in its production of food for they certainly couldn't depend
on these gardens for more than one meal. Since arriving in the
city I've been fortunate enough to have seen it all. The buildings
have all come up to my imagination and the city is beautiful,
as the streets everywhere run into circles and parks. The Embassies
or the homes of the foreign ministers are beautiful and there
are also beautiful homes and apartments.
"As to living conditions: Every one nearly, lived in
apartments before the crowded conditions arose. We now live in
Compartments, as it were. Every available spot holds as many
as can be gotten into it. We buy space instead of a room. I found
that the chief source of exercise is looking for rooms. It is
laughable to see two or three people all rushing to the same
sign 'Rooms for Rent.' There have been so many people here from
Wisconsin that I haven't seen them all yet and have been kept
on the jump. Jews are the merchants and run the restaurants.
The 'market' is one of the strangest things to me. In the morning
you see everybody there with their baskets shopping, as there
is nothing delivered here. There are also many little stores
all over town. As to expenses - nothing need be said as we have
them.
"You have all heard that I have enlisted in the Navy
for four years. It has been in my mind ever since the war began.
I
came to accept a government position, but after closely looking
into the Yeomanette Service, I decided on this, providing I would
be accepted. It was some job to enlist after the Admiral gave
me the recommendation as I was sent from one end of the town
to the other and back over it again. We go through the same tests
as to ability and physical fitness as do the sailors. I was put
into an unusually good position which I greatly appreciate, after
seeing the places I might have been in. Most of the girls go
on night duty first and in a place where there are hundreds working
together. There are only two girls in this office and about eight
sailors. We are located in the New National Museum Building.
This is really the abode of the War Risk Insurance, but we are
a connecting link between this and the Navy Allotment, of which
we are a part. The latter is located in a new building, where
everything is carried on in a very simple manner and one works
into it quite easily. I ask all questions imaginable, so that
I may see farther into the work. I am doing most of my work for
one Chief Yeoman and our work is answering inquiries as to the
reason that the sailors' allotments haven't been paid. In most
cases it is very monotonous, as they either file or type. I do
both and file in several different ways and places, so that it
does not become monotonous. I also have some figuring to do and
the using of my own judgment and do not feel a bit like a machine.
Everything I do I am thanked for and it is always 'Will you please
do this, Miss Skinner' so that it isn't as if one was really
working and you never feel there is a boss. I just love to go
to work. We start at nine and quit at four-forty-five and have
three quarters noon hour.
"The town is full of soldiers and sailors. There are
many camps near town and a number of churches have been taken
over to be used as dormitories. The Government is now building
barracks for its employees. Many of the girls are living in camps
in tents, so it is necessary to provide a place for them for
winter. Cold enough for winter clothes right now, so they will
have to hurry.
"The order came out to the effect that all Yeomanettes
must be in uniform by October first but I don't believe it can
be
done. The uniforms are dark blue serge for winter and white
duck for summer. They are Norfolk style with brass buttons on
which is the eagle, etc. Then the rating badge is fastened to
the sleeve. A plain blue felt sailor hat and black shoes are
regulation, but are not issued to you as the suit is. The war
workers also have a uniform which is not compulsory, however.
The Marines have opened for enlistment girls and their uniform
is a sort of greenish color.
"I saw one girl going to the Army Medical School, so
I imagine her rating is that of a Second Lieutenant in the Army.
The Army is not open to girls for enlistment, but all of
the so-called War Workers have army positions, but they are under
Civil Service and may therefore resign at any time.
"The only thing that seems like home here is when we
go canoeing on the Potomac and even then unless one keeps his
eyes on the bank, it is very different as the river is full
of canoes and various sorts of boats.
"This is called Negroes' Paradise and well it might
be as the place is full of them. They have all the liberty of
a white
person and they use it. A colored man wouldn't think of giving
up a seat in a car to a white woman. Everyone talks as they do
and it is easy to get into the habit, so don't be surprised when
you hear me talk again. Between the New Yorkers and the Southerners
one also has to learn a new language."