The Washington times., 1903-08-23
:: WOMEN IN JOURNALISM :: ::
The Girl Reporter Tells of Her Experiences in Newspaper Work

paper wants from him. If her intelli-
gence does not tell her what to ask
then she has not learned the business,
and will not be picked out for good
assignment next time Her work when
sent out for a story is that of any other
reporter-to get that story. and not
come back TO the office without it. The
why's and wherefores of not getting Il
are nothing to the city editor, who
knows the story is there. with a way TO
get it.
Occasionally she gets a police" as
signment when the regular man is doing
some important story, and there's no
other man in the office. If it's fire, it's
ten TO one the police squad thinks it
has good thing in preventing her from
lodging under the lines. but she proud
ly shows her police badge and there's
nothing for them to do but let her
through
People wonder what "thct woman Is
doing inside the lines. and think IL
very strange that others are not al
lowed IN where they can "see" But she
gets her story for. even though she is
doing mans work, everybody hustles
to give her what she wants, the fellows
on other papers give up" and she
sometimes proves that she's as good as
man, even If she don't get his GALAXY.
Office Duties.
There are many duties inside the Of
fee which woman reporter can fire.
quently do to better advantage than the
average man. There is not little train
ing TO be had for this also. One of the
first things she must accustom herself
to is the Office "huIlabaloo" A good
way 10 get ready for this would be to
take a pad and pencil. sit on the curb
at Ninth and Streets every morning
for week and write 4 story with title
something like "She Was Poor But
Proud
Her surroundings, and the attending
noises will not be a circumstance to
what she viii get in a newspaper office
with telephones ringing. the city edi-
tor scolding. and the small corps Of
office boys in a heated argument over
the last prizefght. while half a dozen
reporters are yelling Copy
With all the little annoyances which
a man accepts as his share. but which a
woman regards as colossal impositions.
newspaper work has charm that few
who have ever done it can deny or re-
sist. Day after day, when something
unpleasant happens. the reporter de-
clares he viii get out of the business If
he has 20 starve to death-a prospect,
however, that Is not always remote to
members of the fraternity.
Good and Bad Days.
The woman reporter has her good
days and her bad ones, Just like the
rest of humanity; but there is always
something TO brighten up the long hours
The men she meets are interesting
Each has something to tell that, if it
does not help to educate her, at least
adds a bright spot to the day.
If she isn't freak" newspaper wom-
an. wearing a skirt short in front and
long in the back. shirt waist that Sas
outlived its usefulness. and hat fash
Toned for man instead of a woman
the boys on the paper will consent TO
tolerate her. and their federation means
every attention their work will allow
them to give, nice consideration for
her personality and sex. and willing
her against everything and everybody
When she has made herself lone of the
boys" she has learned the best part of
the business, and there's not man in
the place but who is ready and willing
TO teach her the rest.