file section.

This was done in order to evolve out of the multiplicity of seasoned
counsel a competent and successful solution of the very important and
grave problem which so heavily weighed upon the mind of the civil
population of the country, when they were offering freely upon its altar
their most treasured blood, as a precious sacrifice. Indeed, so
important and so urgent became the necessity for an immediate and
satisfactory solution of this problem that there was no evasion in a
high browed manner of any creditable source of needed information.
Accordingly, the bureau of navigation, in obedience to the inevitable
expansion necessitated in all the bureaus of the navy by the exigencies
of war, determined to organize and operate a muster roll section,
charged primarily with the duty of apprehending the present whereabouts
of every man of the enlisted personnel in a systematic and scientific
manner.

ORGANIZATION OF THE MUSTER ROLL SECTION.

The execution of the very essential duty of chief of the muster roll
section was entrusted to John T. Risher, a colored man, to whom was
given plenary power to engage and select his corps of assistants. Of
course, Mr. Risher determined immediately in the face of all opposing
precedents, to fully utilize the services, abilities and talents of the
colored youth of the country, upon whose educational development
millions of dollars had been spent in the past. In consequence, more
than a dozen young colored women have been engaged in the capacity of
yeowomen in this muster roll section. This is quite a novel experiment,
as it is the first time in the history of the navy of the United States
that colored women have been employed in any clerical capacity. And it
may be noted that while many young colored men have enlisted in the mess
branch of the service, it was reserved to young colored women to invade
successfully the yeoman branch, thereby establishing a precedent. They
are all cool, clear-headed and well-poised, evincing at all times, in
the language of a white chief yeowoman: "A tidiness and appropriate
demeanor both on and off duty which the girls of the white race might do
well to emulate." The work of this section has proven highly efficient
and satisfactory, as the plans in vogue there under its modern
management are both scientific and accurate. Many of the superior
officials have scrutinized the experiment very closely and are a unit in
the sincerity of their admirat