can now be a bookkeeper and audit clerk in some departments and a law clerk in others. All simple routine work done in an office or clerical work requiring skill and accuracy was open to her in 1919. Two of the positions whose examinations were closed to women in the first six months of 1919 had been open to them in 1918; these were for passenger rate and freight rate clerk. The examinations which were closed to women in 1919 and previously were for law clerk in the Department of State; mining accountant in the Bureau of Mines; clerk to commercial attaché; interpreter of Syrian; storekeeper with knowledge of automobiles and parts; and radio operator at Honolulu. The examinations listed under mechanical and manufacturing services do not include the noneducational tests carried on in the Government's manufacturing plants and buildings outside of Washington. Consequently the number listed as open to women are much fewer than they would otherwise have been if all Government work were included. It is only as inspectors of radio apparatus, field glasses, telephone and telegraph equipment, and as helpers in motionpicture laboratories that women are called for in this group of examinations. The experience of manufacturers and mechanical repair shops (apparently) has not been utilized by Government officials.

In spite of the many restrictions still limiting the use of women in the service of the Government there has been a steady wearing down of the obstructions during the last few years. This has been due principally to a shortage of labor. The Navy Department has opened wide the doors of civil positions to all who can qualify. Other departments are making larger use of women's services but are doing it more slowly. From July, 1915, to June 30, 1916, approximately 11,000, or less than 10 per cent, of all persons eligible for appointment to Government positions through examinations were women. From July, 1917, to June 30, 1918, 90,000, or over 23 per cent, of all eligible persons were women. While the numbers of men on the eligible registers increased less than 200 per cent, the numbers of women increased more than 700 per cent.

The largest group of women added to the service in 1917 and 1918 went into the occupations in which women have been employed for many years-stenography, typing, and clerical work. The second largest group worked in the arsenals, the quartermaster's depots, and the navy yards to aid in the manufacture of munitions, clothing, and textiles. But many became eligible through examination for positions open to women for the first time. By special appointment for temporary service other women acted in exceptional capacities, uch as forest guards, aviators in the mail service, and specialists in horse husbandry. The following lists give the occupations for which women were eligible to service by entrance examination from July 1, 1915, to June 30, 1916, and from July, 1917, to July, 1919.

151046°-20- -3

TABLE III-Positions in the United States governmental service for which romen were rendered eligible by entrance examination the year before our entrance into the war and during and after the war.

TABLE III.-Positions in the United States governmental service, etc. -Couto,

Clerk, assistant clerk, and minor Clerk, assistant clerk, an 1 minor clerk.

TABLE III.-Positions in the United States governmental service, etc.-Contd.

1 Women passed examinations for these positions in 1918, but were excluded from the 1919 examination.

These lists indicate clearly the increase in the opportunities for woman service in the Government. How many women were actually appointed to the positions made open to them by examination during and after the war can not be fully ascertained until the Civil Service Commission's records for July, 1918, to June 30, 1919, are complete.

However, as long as it remains customary to permit any examination to be closed to one or the other sex because of the needs of one bureau, the Civil Service Commission will not be able to marshal all available ability before the department appointment officials for choice. Neither they nor the country will ever know how much ability or experience is kept from national service.

With all examinations opened to persons of either sex, the country would know what storehouses of training and experience it had to draw from, the appointment officials would have a wider field from which to choose and the women of the country would have their opportunities for service immeasurably increased. Appointment officials would still have perfect freedom in appointing a person of either sex, for, by civil service rule, an appointing officer may, if he desires, make requisition upon the commission for a certification of eligibles of either sex. If the appointing officer does not specify the sex, "certificates shall be made without regard to sex" by the Civil Service Commission.

The number of women who must seek employment outside the home is growing steadily. In order that their opportunities for profitable employment may be advanced, it is necessary for all Government examinations to be opened to them. Thus only can the country avail itself of the training and experience of all its people. PART II.-APPOINTMENTS AND ENTRANCE SALARIES OF WOMEN COMPARED WITH THOSE OF MEN.

The discriminating policy that prevailed in examinations up to November 5, resulting in barring women from a large proportion of the higher grades of service, is reflected, naturally, in the positions to which women are appointed and in the relative salary levels. One outcome of vital bearing is the overwhelming concentration-91 per cent—of women appointees in the clerical service. This massing in turn carries with it the depression of salaries toward the old-time woman's level—a figure traditionally below that which any number of men qualified to fill the positions will accept.

The effect upon appointments and salaries of the former policy of closing certain examinations to women has been greatly enhanced by the varying discretionary power in salary fixing vested in departmental authorities. This, in the words of the Civil Service Commission, has resulted in "chaotic salary conditions."1 Con

1 Page x, Thirty-fifth Report, U. S. Civil Service Commission.