St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-08-26

few fibs about my ability and previous
experience L am equal to the occasion.
A curt dismissal or gruff reply of ''no
hands needed are expected as a part
of the regular programme. But it's diff
ferent with girl who cannot afford to
be idle even week, because she has
not only to maintain herself, but often
has several dependent on her wages for
support. 70 such the search for work
is grim reality. presenting no humor-
Gus aspect.
My friend was a telegraph Operator
and wanted me to help her find place.
L didn't know anything of that bust
ness, so seized the opportunity to make
some inquiries as to the time required
for learning the profession, and also
what wages are paid. In connection
with the matter l inquired at all of the
business colleges if they taught telegra-
ply along with the other branches
which are supposed to turn out, as COM
| petent business women, even the wild
| est and most inefficient girls. That re-
suit is
ALWAYS GUARANTEED
upon the payment of sufficient cash,
found that telegraphy is not taught, at
present, in any Of the business colleges
in this city.
but | read in late magazine article
that telegraphing is one branch of work
which is Of late Years open to independ-
ent and energetic women, anxious to
support themselves. remarked, "New,
why isn't it taught in business col
leges?"
The first professor of whom | asked
the question, said that it could be per-
fectly taught in college, but had been
dropped out of the course about year
ago, because the operators who have
learned i'll regular offices have a most
narroW-minded prejudice. against any
body coming from college, and man
age to make it so uncomfortable for her
that the c0flege-taught operator is
obliged to give up the business. The
professor said that shorthand was more
profitable for both the college and the
students. The next teacher frankly
told me that it costs girl about $50 for
tuition in learning biography. That it
could not be properly taught in a col
lege, because messages have different
sound when sent over long line, so
that an operator from a college, after
learning ON short wire, would have
considerable difficulty in receiving mes
sages in regular Office. So the teach
ing of this branch has
BEEN ABANDONED.
Afterwards [ met girl who had
learned in one of these colleges. and
felt as if she hadn't been treated
squareIy. She said: Sat the time |
learned, they told me that it could be
more correctly taught in college than
elsewhere. With great difficulty [
saved $50 out of my wages as a clerk.
After learning all that the college pro-
feSsed to teach was unable to keep
position, partly because other operators
I'll,
partly on account of having been so
poorly taught that | couldn't do the
work correctly. So the $50, as we'll as
the time spent in learning were wasted,
and Pm behind the counter again at Sj
a week"
| quote this experience merely to
show how difficult it is for girls to gain
knowledge sufficient for this kind of
work. 1t is almost impossible for girl
to spare time and money for such
study, for in the first place, if the result
is fruitless, she can hardly be blamed
for cherislIing feeling of resentment
about the matter.
After interviewing the business col
leges, my friend and l went around to
several Offices. The Western Union
company has about fourteen branch of
fees. situated in the various hotels and
commercial buildings. In nine of these
ladies are employed. The style and fit
tingS of the several Offices vary some
what in the different buildings, butall
are neat and comfortable. A chair and
desk are provided for the operator. and in
most branch offices she has considerable
leisure time and her wages are pro-
portionately low. We finally visited the
| central Office, but found that it was use
less to apply for work. The manager
mo n OILY 10.
number of girls on hand waiting for
positions, and preference is oTten given
to check-boys who have learned to
operate. At the central office a larger
number of men than women are en-
ployed.
The office is on the third floor of the
city hall. 1t is rather Overwhelming
place, reminding one of an old-fashioned
school room. The floor has probably
forgotten when it was last scrubbed.
the tables are worn aud splashed with
ink: to complete the picture one oc-
casionaily sees big grey rats
PLAYING TAG
around the floor. The eeaseiess click of
the keys was rather confusing to me.
AS the operators received all messages
by sound alone, it seemed to be work
that required close attention. Every
one seemed so intent upon work that |
didn't dare disturb anybody by asking
questions, but made the acquaintance of
girl at a branch Office and had an in
teresting chat.
why don't they get some new fur
niture up in that central office? 1t looks
quite Shabby?" l remarked.
why you see, if anything is wanted
the request has to be respectfully re-
ferred through the red-tape department,
and is generally lost before it gets to
New York to be acted upon. Besides,
the managers in the East think that
most any sort of accommodations are
good enough in a new and uncouth town
like Minneapolis" she explained.
About how long does it take to be-
come good 0peratar?
''0f course it depends upon natural
| ability and girls desire to learn, but
one who can learn at all will usually be
able to do ordinary Office work after
having from three to six months prae-
tice under the supervision of good