The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-03-03
WOMEN WHO CLIMB LADDERS.

It'll take 'em a week to get broken
in," remarked a Barge Office habitueI
as. shortly after Z a. m. yesterday, thel
first woman inspector hurried into the
Battery Park office as if the fate oil
h nation depended on her days
work. Shortly after two others madel
their appearance. One had failed tol
hear her alarm clock and had arrived
with only one hatpin, whereas ~adequntel
equipment demanded two at least. An
other had forgotten her badge and had
to borrow one from an assistant ply
stefan who was off duty for the mo-
ment.
Miss Helen A. Taylor. Miss SARAH
Harrison and Miss Mathilda Wich,nani
were the three who began their actual
duties yesterday. Miss NJ. O.. Bachelor.
another Of the appointees, weakened
at the last m ana failed to re-
port, and Miss Josephine Lassoe's no.
tifcation. it was found had been mail
ed to the wrong address, and she could
not be sworn in until today.
Hope you all brought your lunch
con along" grinned one Of the reaII
inspectors" as the men like to hear
themselves called, for there's no tell
ing when you'll get a chance for Il bite.
The cutter mayn't be up again until
II o'clock tonight, got know"
"We'U eat whatever You do" said
one of the young women. whereupon|
another inspector spoke uD.
"Oh. We carry beer and sandwiches
in our pockets. You'll aave to set
knapsacks. 1 guess. as we'll as snort.
skirts"
The only really short skirt was Miss
Taylor's. 1t had little b~uttonhcled
straps down the front seams, by
means of which it could he shortened
convenient for climbing ladders or
STEPPING over deck rails. The two
others had on ordinary walking skirts.
All wore heavy cloth boomers or
divided skirts gathered at the knee
under their outer skirts.
The stiff breeze of early morning.
caused all to regret that they wore
to them. IT is probable that another
day or two will see ribbons and fcath-I
ers and trimmings and wells super
seeded by plain dark, cloth caps.
The cutters captain was most hos
pftable in the treatment Of his inVol-
untary visitors, giving over his caoinI
entirely for their use. Sorry to h1vet
them abroad?" he said No. biessI
them. I'm sorry to have ladies
around: though this means ! IL have to
turn out an hour or two Garner every
morning. I've been lying abed till s.
heretofore and taking II easy"
There is an undercurrent Of dissatis-
faction and mild resentment, however,
among the old inspectors" The an
pointment of five women on the same
Work-3racticaily to do their work
after them-is naturally considered
something Of a reflection on their Gb /
ity and Judgment. But nothing OF t!ls
was apparent in the courteous arr
with which they received their "sure-
rior officers" as one individual
faCetiously styled the three women.
Some little dismay was oCcasioued
among the new inspectors by the re-
port circulated after the cutter was
half way down the bay. h only one
m was to board the Ivernia, the
only ship among the ten or twelve
possible incomers'' on which it vas
likely the new inspectors would fod a
field for work.
My orders were that We were to
work in couples" said Miss TAYLOR.
with some spirit: "in all prooaoIuty
there will be but one vessel to board.
and it is ridiculous to suppose that
we would all three be sent down here
if only n was TO hav anything TO do
OF course, we'll all go on board to-
y gether."
And, OF course. they did. They had
watched with interest and rot a little
Z critical comment the climbing of the
other inspectors and the physician as
several coal and fruit carrying vessels
were boarded and "~unboarded."
THANH goodness that we IN have
T to limb down again. was the COM
! ment Of one woman as an ulstered in
dividual backed down the ladder with
more speed than grace. Wien at last
the Ivernia ploughed up alongside OF