New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-26
PARLIAMENTARY TYPEWRITING
WOMEN EMPLOYED IN THE HOUSE OF
COMMONS. :,

COMMONS.
From st. Paul's O.onGon).
few years back If any person dared to maka
the assertion that a time would come when ladies
would be employed in the English House OF Com.
mons doing duties which were practically the work
OF men, that person would have been looked upon
as a fitting candidate for a .unatic asylum; and
vet such is now the case, for at the present time
two rooms in the House specially devoted to
Miss Ashworth. who at the head OF several lady
clerks is responsible for ,ypewriting department
introduced for the benefit Of the members Of the
House
An innovation of such a startling character being
OF almost national interest. / waited on Miss Ash
worth the other evening in the hope OF obtaining
information respecting the working OF the affair."
Miss May II. Ashworth is the head OF the Type
writing, Shorthand and Translation Offices in Vic
toria-st and s the daughter OF the late Rev.
Arthur Ashworth, VI. A.. Rector Of Holme Cultram,
In Cumberland.
"rve called 10 worry you Miss Ashworth, about
the unique position you are holding"
you mean at the House?"
"Yes. Do you mind giving me few particularsf"
"Not at all. Shall start at the commencement
II think 1t would be best"
VERY well. | believe the members were con-
siderable time in getting this concession from the
authorities They made repeated representations
to the late Commissioner OF Works, who promised
consider II, with the result that eventually they
received what they wanted.
rs this department solely instituted for type
writing"
"Oh, no. OF course the typewrting forms the
greater part OF work. but we also do a great
deal of translation, shorthand writing. and taking
from dictation."
Your staff are evidently accomplished"
Yes | am very proud Of them We have a s.a6
OF five ladies'. They all young, and some Of
them expert lingdsts. Besides having perfect
mastery Of the type-machine, they are admirable
SHORTHAND writer's, having reached very hign rate
What is the real raison d'etre OF your DEPART
I'VE exist solely for the benefit OF the NJ P: There
many occasions when he wants some letters
%rltte sp and when he does We are at his service
He may also have foreign letter that Is written
those with watch he is conversant: again we are At
his or s9 % BE in e as n HIr tm. sps
do them himself. 50 he sends for one OF my staG,
I'm shorthand Miss Ashworth?"
proficient with the typewriter that they are abe =
write from eighty to ninety words m.ng'e' which,
The "'! Sergeant. Arms; We are responsible
M" Are 1e' YOU ou' much aUch G 9roU USI Ps"'O
81 don't think we give any The place itself Is g
even mS fr rRa a''s prevents any
DO you like your appointment"
Very much. | never thought / should get 4
You see it is such an Innovation TO give post IKE
R a cSay pos 81 s for y
Is my excellent reputation for perfect accuracy
How long. has your department been in OPEN
ton a, the House,"
I'VE commenced to get ready in April last but
We have only been in actual work since the middle
OF May. In that time We have succeeded in getting
ninety mine members on our books"
'no members Ike the introducton?'
They appear dslighted. We have little parties
Ing the working OF the machines In fact. tssy
there was one old member who, after watching one
OF my clerks type rather her Lengthy docq%a sn
know how you do it: It's wonderful"
Hoy 90 you get on h 55s ~ Is yS'
Sometimes. l remember the first one we had
given 70 US at the House was dreadful, !, wMa
black-letter Latin, much abbreviated, and in many
places almost undecipherable."
did you get through IT."
"oh. yes But it was far from easy"
How do your lady clerks Ike the House,
ns amy oa !" is go kind and
tive: and. no doubt. when Parliament reassemb!es,
We shall double and treble the number OF clients IN
a very short time 1900
Have you had any official work FOR the Cabinet
to 10 aO?" ,u, ~. ala rho omo., uor. .o- tho Welsh
Whips during the latter part OF the session In the
late Parliament. There is one thing. We work very
You. Is very fast. 1t was very amusing when We
firsi went there: the policemen on duty we're quite
suspicious about allowing us 10 enter: so much 80.
that We had to get special passes from the Ser;
geant-ai;;Arms: However. IT Is all rght now, and
they smile quite nicely enter. .
"iIow many type machines have you a, work n
1--WE have Ave. Very often all Of tem work.
ing at once We use the Remington, / remember
Snn oh member PAYNE my head csrk very Fry h
from dictaton. When she had finished he rushea
out OF the room. seized the arm OF friend, an 1.'
dragging him in. cried excitedly Just think OF y!
five minutes. It's marvellous! Simply marVe'