The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-30
FEMALE OPERATORS.
Some of Them Are the Equal of Men
at the telegraph Kew.

Women were first employed as telegraph
operators in Chicago in 1863 Now the larger
OF the TWO companies doing business in that
city employs $50 of the sex, the best being paid
$50 and the lowest $40 month. They are
soon all TO be required to learn to typewrIte the
messages they receive.
chow do the women feel about the change
Have they faith that they can master the dual
knack OF the sounder and The keyboard?"
''Oh, yes, there are but few exceptions to
those who welcome the change. and yet there
is no little discomfort expressed that the type
writer's are to be bought by the operators hem-
selves rather than by the company. 1t will be
something OF an expense, but think the gain
will speedily efface the memory of their tran
seIt loss"
The office hours of the women correspond TO
those of the men employees. Each operator re-
ports for duty promptly at A. NJ, is given
half-hour for lunch aud snaps her key for final
good night at $50 P. NJ. lunchroom and sit
tng-room, both in charge of an experienced
matron, are provided. and the menu OF the for
mer Is equal to the best In the city, at prices
which are In accord with he scantiest menu.
The lowest salary received by women operato tors
In the employ of this company is $40, but the
majority receive more. The duties of an oper-
atOr are tiresOme In the extreme, although
there Is certain amount of fascination about
the work that keeps The weariest operator
One young woman was pointed out whose
record shows the sending of 1000 words at a
time on press report, with $50 messages day
thrown In as an aside. Another young woman
has already sent 300 messages In the one day.
and looked bright enough TO send as many
more. The Cleveland wire, one of the heaviest
In the Office. is worked regularly by two
women. Miss Summerl has had charge OF this
wire constantly for over three years. during
which time the opposite end of the circuit has
been worked by the oompanv's fastest and best
men, thereby establishing the young woman's
right 10 be placed In the very front ranks Of
her profession.
Mics McCrsckan ,vas Nliss Sup,porrs r,.,o
on the wire during the Worlds Fair period,
when the average number of messages sent
and received was from 800 TO 1000 per day.
Ihis great mass of business was handled by
D0fh OF these women In way to reflect the
highest credit on their ability. Miss Ella
Griffith has everything her own way on the
Baltimore wire. and Is acknowledged all along
the current 10 be first class'' both from per-
sonal and business standpoint. One of the
heaviest philadelphia wires is worked by Mrs.
NJ. q. Miles and Miss Kittie Keller. both of
whom claim place in the front rank of expert
telegraphers.
Mrs. Annie Hutchinson, on the Washington
wire. with her ASSOCIATE. Miss MeyercOrdt, de-
serves snecia! mention for the reason that over
their circuit long Government messages. fire.
quently IN cipher, or a perfectly uBintelgible
code, are sent and handled without the least
difficulty.
Miss Kate Stack is in charge OF the New
York branches. and so great is her proficiency
that her calm and equable manner of turning
of business would deceive the onlOoker into
the belief that the really difficult task was
ever-endless patience, quick disco nment and
CHRISTIAN calm are necessary, experience has
demonstrated the fact that women operators
excel Without almost an exception the
women here employed have proved their
abundant fitness 10 rank shoulder to shoulder
with the advance guard OF the best In the pro-
fession.
The hundreds of women employed by the
telegraph companies are reticent as 10 labor
unions and express themselves as no. In SYM
patby with disturbance-engendering societies.
"We have no complaints 10 make" said one
chiefs are kind. the officers who stand back of
them are In The main eonsiderAte and generous,
and we would be foolish, indeed, 10 pick out
little causes OF complaint in times when boIn
men and women should be glad enough TO get
half-loaves and even crumbs"
The large majority OF the women operators
| live at home and are enabled TO maintain
themselves in comfort. They dress well, and
there are no sweeter hammered genIe women In
| the land. Those who have no home frequently
| avail themselves OF lie accommodation OF as
| Sociale CLUBS, such as The one 80 long estab-
! tsled at 2S8 Michigan avenue. where their
money gains for Them the advantage of refined
and h0melike surroundings. Ielegraphy as a
means of employment for women Is grow
| Ing steadily from year TO year, aud there
| Is no vocation that comprises larger
| number OF fine and superb girls. That they
will ever monOpolize the prof sslon is not prob.
| able, owing to the lack Of physical endurance
| and their inability TO stand the stress of over
| hours and protraeted periods of special work.
| That they viii continue TO urge their way 10
| the front. however, and MAINTAIN place along
| side OF the best operators of the other sex 10
| profession which occupies so important place
| In tn wage-earning vOcations of the world is
as sure as the steadfast shining of the stars and
the returning sweep OF the tldes.-Chicago
| Herald.