Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-15
MISS 0DEN MADE
AGENT OF The Q
Road Introduces Innovation by
Appointing Woman to Pas
senger Department.
TRI-cITIES IS TERRITORY
Promoted From C1erkshap In Daven-
port to Position Vacated by
Frank A. Hart.

Miss Daisy Oder, chief clerk and as
instant ticket agent In the once OF NJ.
J. Young, commercial agent for the
Burlington, Davenport, has just receiv-
ed notice of her appointment, effective
March !, as city passenger agent for
the tri-cities, with territory extending
from watertown to BeCtendoTf, tnclu-
give.
This action on the part Of the Bur
Iington company Is an innovation,
unique in its kind, something rarely II
ever heard of, tAAt Of a woman hliing
the position of city and travelling pas
senEer representative OF a large trans
portation company. The position came
70 Miss Oden unsolicited and as A
complete surprise when the news was
telephoned TO her at her boarding place
IN Davenport last Sunday morning
The field to be covered by Miss Odea
was until recently included in that of
Frank A. Hart, who on Jan. l was
made general agent for this Burlington
AT Clinton, Iowa, succeeding J. N. Rod
man, deceased.
WHY NOT A WOMAN
For the past few years it has been
the custom of the Burlington and soma
of the other lines to send representa-
tives TO the northern fields to look af-
ter traf1c, settlers, as they are termed,
who usually just before the holidays
return in large numbers to their for
mer eastern homes to visit relatives
and old friends For the purpose of
watching the Burlingtons interests Mr..
Hart was sent TO Winnipeg, and it WAS
while there his appointment as general
agent at Clinton was announced. Miss
Oden. hearing the news and knowing
the change would cause a vacancy by
the removal of Mr.. Hart as tri-city
passenger agent, casually remarked in
the presence of an lcial: why could
not a woman fill the position" not
speaking directly Of herself, due 70
modesty perhaps or the thought that
II might be considered absurd. This
little remark indicated ambition, a de-
sire TO improve. While nothing of con-
sequence was said on the subject at
the time, the expression was not for
gotten, and when J. Francis. general
passenger agent, called on the local Of
flcials Friday last to consult them with
reference to selecting Mr.. Harris sue
cessor, various candidates were con-
sidered and the remarks Of Miss Oden
were recalled. The words had barely
passed the speakers lips when It was
plainly discerned the face of the big
hearted general passenger agent bore
evidence OF approval and all present
IN a moment we're heartily enthused
over the idea and OF one accord.
POPULAR WITH PUBLIC.
Miss Oden has admirably filed the
position OF chief clerk and assistant
ticket agent in the Burlington city Office
at Davenport for many years, and by
prompt, uniform and courteous treat
ment to all, ever mindful of the COM
panys' interest at heart, has won for
her a host of friends In the railway
circle and the travelling public as we'll
as In the city. She Is admittedly one OF
the best qualified and most painstAking
ticket agents In the west, and also pos
sessss a splendid knowledge of the
business IN connection with the freight
department. She has travelled quite
extensively over the states from ocean
to ocean and from Canada to the gulf,
having made railroad work in her line
a life study. Being student and close
observer, she is in position and equip
ped to impart to the traveller more
valuable and reliable information than
could be gained otherwise than by per
sonal observation OF the various sec |
tions and routes.
Prior to the notice OF her appoint |
ment Miss Oden had planned to &C. 1
company the National Association OF I
Ticket Agents, Of which she Is q Nom /
Der. On a two weeks trip, starting /
about the middle of March,
The appointment OF Misc Oden to the /
new position is a meritorious one and 1
the Burlington management has shown /
q magnanimous spirit IN recognizing
q devoted and deserving employee.