The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-13
WOMAN MAYORS SECRETARY
Miss Forderer on Guard in Office OF
Philadelphia's Executive.
Doesn't Expect 20 Have Any Trouble
with the Politicians, and Isn't
Afraid of Cranks.

II you want 70 have a chat with Mayor
Weaver in his Office at the city Hall you
Will have 10 pass the clear-eyed scrutiny
% Miss MaraEret Forderer, the newly
appointed secretary. says the Philadelphia
Ledger
Surrounded b5 telephones, formidable
looking account books, and al the para
pherualia OF a busy Office. with q tie
nographer waiting 70 take whatever she
may see nt To dictate. Miss Fordersr
swung around in her chair and gave nle
a cordial greeting
"Oh. I am always busy" she said. with
an engaging smile. 'but I can give you
a few mlnutes-,his other work can wait
OF course. I am pleased with my nev.
position. I am the first woman 10 hold
such an Office, you know ] really don't
see why no other woman has ever been
appointed There is really 10 reason why
a woman shouldn't be as capable as d
man"
How about taking the messages into
councn?" I interrupted.
"Oh. I never cross a bridge until I gel
10 #" she answered. laughinsIy. THAT is
really, though, the only part Of the work
that I don't exactly Ike. I don't know
whether / shall have to 10 Il or not. Tha,
hasn't been decided yet on many occa-
sions the chief clerk has taken them I'm.
and it may be arranged so that he will do
so now Such a clerk has not been ap-
pointed. however, so % is impossible %
know what the final place viii be- I don
believe that ] shall mind doing & very
much she added with a modest little
smile.
And I am sure that Miss Forderer could
go through what 20 many women would
be trying ceremony with a great deal of
dignity. For although her manner is cor
dial, She has the reserved and dlgnifed
demeanor OF that recent product of our
American CiviliZaJion-the shrewd bust
ness woman
Don't you think, Miss Forderer. that
the position Of buffer between the mayor
and the ward politicians is likely to prove
a trying one?'
"Ch, no." the little secretary responded,
cheerfully. If a woman is at all diplo-
matte she ought to get along all right.
You know men are always more consider
ate Of a woman. In many ways I think
IL is an advantage to have a woman in
that position. Whatever they may think,
men never say as much to a woman as to
another man. In my very short expert
ence-only two days, you knOw-I have
only had the pleasantest Of relations with
these men. Most OF them / have known
for some time. You see, was a stenOg-
rapher for Mr. Weaver in his private
Office before he was elected district at
torney. While he held that position I
remained where I was. but when he be-
came mayor I was promoted to the place
OF stenographer in this Office, so you see
know a great many of his friends or
acquaintance
How al out the crauks?" I inquired.
Have yoI no fear OF them. after the
narrowing experience at the Fourth Street
National Bank?"
No, indeed and this formidable lit
tie person shook her head. 4 am a
Presbyterian-what has to be has to be-
so / never worry about It. If l am to be
killed with a bomb, why. will be- I had
one experience with a crank while I was
stenoerapher IL was while Mr.. Grier
was secretary, and he was out No one.
IN fact, was in the office when the man
entered IN great state Of excitement. He
was going to kin every one If he couldn't
see the mayor at once. I gradually
worked him toward the door by telling
him that the mayor was out and might
come along the corridor at any moment.
He finally quoted down and went away
perfectly satisfied I don't believe I shall
have very much trouble with this branch
OF my duties. 1 am not worrying about
It, at any rate"