The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-01
GERMANY OPENS WIDE
THE DOORS TO WOMEN
IN GOVERNMENT WORK
Many Places Now Filled by Them
in Postal, Telegraph and Tele-
phone Departments.
REGULATIONS ARE STRICT
Requirements of Age, Character,
Education and Health Are
Rigid-Pay Is Small.
,cIal to the IndIanapolls journal.


Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Chasing its &C
ton largely on the favorable experience of
the United States in employing women, the
German Postal Department has greatly in
creased it's force of feminine employees.
While women were employed in the postal
and telegraphic service Of France and Eng
land as early 1920 and 1880. Germany did
not make a trial Of feminine service until
1874. The main circumstance that led to
the employment of women at that time was
scarcity Of available men. When, later,
the administration of the postal and tele-
graphic services was combined under one
head there was a general discharge of the
women who had obtained positions in the
service. All women engaged in the tele-
graphic service were removed and only a
comparatively small number of those en-
ployed in the postal service were reluctantly
retained as a further experiment. Three
years later, in 1876. these also were sepa-
rated from the service of the empire.
In all German postoffices of the third
class assistants may be women, appointed
by the postmaster under strict govern
mental regulations respecting age, charac-
ter and education. Such assistants must be
of sound health, certified to by a govern
ment medical examiner. They must be
entirely free from all deformities of stain
less character, from eighteen to thirty
years of age, and must possess n good
common school education. The highest sal
airy which they may receive is 500 marks,
about sl19 year. in postoffices of the
first class and in railroad postofices wo-
men may be engaged for service as type
writer's or similar duties only. All women
assistants are treated government Off
Gals, which means that on their with
drawal from the service after faithful,
competent work during a prescribed num-
Der of years, they have a claim TO a pen
sion, under the law Of the empire. If their
circumstances are adjudged such as to re-
quire II.
Instead of being restricted to a certain
class of position, as they are in the postal
service under the new rule. women in Ger
many may take any place whatever in the
telegraphic service for which they are men
tally qualified. As for the telephone service,
at the present time there are 1900 women
employed as telephone operators in Ger
many. In Berlin alone 1000 women are en-
gagged. These positions are so popular and
the number of applications is so large that
the number of accepted and qualified women
whose names have been registered in the
order in which they were considered will
supply occupants for any possible vacancies
which may result in the course of the next
few years. Only physically strong girls are
admitted TO the service. They must possess
a good character and come from responsible
families Also, they must be between the
ages of eighteen and thirty years and be
either unmarried girls or widows without
children.
Every applicant must possess an educa-
ton equivalent to graduation from an ele-
mentary school In making the application
for position il is necessary to produce
a birth certificate, school certificate, certifi-
cate of conduct, in which are registered
all praise dissatisfaction expressed by
previous employees of the persons in ques-
ton. and brief biography. The latter
must have been written and constructed
solely by the applicant. The written con-
sent of the father guardian is also
necessary. Some time after the applica-
ton, accompanied by all the required pa
pers, has been filed notice is sent to the
applicant to appear for examination. which
embraces questions in arithmetic, German
and geography. The examination in Ger
man consists of a short essay some
familiar subject. In geography the test
places more emphasis on the political divi-
sions of the German empire and knowledge
concerning the most important cities of
foreign countries. The test in arithmetic
covers in the main the four fundamentals,
interest and partnership. After success
fully passing this examination the appli-
cant is sent to official medical exam
liner, who must certify TO her physical and
nervous soundness, and especially as to
the condition of her lungs and nerves.
: + r
Having successfully acquitted herself in
all the foregoing tests. the applicant is now
ready to begin a period of practical prep
aration. This work as an apprentice covers
from three to four weeks. and during the
time the learner receives no salary. po-
sition being open. the applicant cannot en-
ter upon the same If she has, in any way
in the meantime. spoiled her record or
failed to preserve a stainless character.
| She must also, at the time of her employ
ment, be living with her parents, or in
some other respectable place, free from all
question.
The daily hours of employment vary from
six to eight hours: sometimes Sunday is re-
quired;, The employe must Immediately
after being engaged, begin her contribu-
tions to the sick fund. and in case she sue
cumbs to sickness or injury she continues
to draw three-fourths of her regular salary
! and receives free medical treatment. Her
pay Is, to begin with. 90 cents a day.
| After two years of satisfactory service the
salary is raised to 50 cents a day and after
many years of the best service she may at
| tain a dollar day, or its equivalent In
German marks. The highest salary that
woman can draw in the German telegraphc
| service is 1897 year. IL is sufficient 10 in
/ sure q comfortable livelihood to the re-
| cpient. The German woman can live with
more comfort and considerable less ex-
/ pense than can the American women, who
| draw even larger salaries.
The English women employed by the gov
eminent are much better paid. though the
| first twelve years of their service is worked
out at starvation remuneration. according
! to American ideas. After twelve years of
/ faithful service they may arrive at salary
/ OF $685. Once in great while woman has
| been appointed 10 the rank of supervisor
in which case her salary has reached as
| high as $3.50