New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-01
MISS OlRK|N EVADES
More interested in Building
Houses tran in Voting.

| Although Miss Alice Durkin. the cty's
| only woman builder. who recently got a
s1ss 900 school contract. just laughed when
| she was asked whether she were a SUI
| fragette. she thinks there is tremendous
| future for women in business.
But don't you really believe in votes for
| women" she was asked again.
| why. 7 think there Is no reason a. ell
why women should not succeed In bust
ness" she hedged.
They are far more diplomatic than
men," she added, and tact and diplomacy
| are great business assets. | have proved
| that to M own satisfaction.
The average man in the business blus-
tors about and rows the foreman Just -.
show thu he's boss, and that IS Just where
he makes his biggest mistake
"Foremen are human beings jlst like the
rest If us and are just as keen Tor word
Of appreciation when they do a good biz ~
work. And they always &c; Il from mo.
And II they don't do good work they hear
about It from me, too, she added
And II I suspect man thinks he can
take advantage Of me because happen 20
he a woman, off he goes In a jiffvr and
tho peasant blO"u 'N'S "fb'' - 81
termined fashion.
1T pays even 10 bo tactful aud conSid-
crate of my Italian laborers. They apqie'
ciate II and do better work for a kindly
word from me now and then. When
come into a building they all lift their hats
and give me a pleasant greeting. We have
names for them, YOU know, like Tony and
jim; and I make it point always TO stop
and say: Well Tony, what are you doing
to-day? That's fine. Wen just hurry
along this building in fine shape And
they do hurry along
III one of them has been homestch |
urge him not to come back too soon ana
maybe YOU think they don't appreciate
that. It's a case Of Well do anything for
Miss purk': Miss Durk's good
IL ANYTHING is Intentionally done wrong
{, any part OF the work some one OF the
,,en Ia sure TO come and tell me Of H.
They can't bear the thought Of any one
putting over anything on me
Besides going about and inspecting her
buildings and keeping In touch With her
mon Miss Durkin does most OF the hgur-
ing on her own bids draws UP all her own
contracts superintends the designing or
greater part or liie lllitiiOi 'NN"'
buildings and keeps posted ABOUT all oIo
and new building legislation.
Miss Durkin attributes her signal success
n her love OF responsibility and con-
slant keeping at It.
ut is such a tremendous satisfaction 70
overcome obstacles" she laughed with the
ioy OF battle in her eyes. That mas reaHy
beou the history of my rise. | started as
stenographer with Charles II. Peckworth,
hut the whole business of the Office inter-
ested me greatly. and in short time was
bidding on small contracts for Mr.. Peck
worth"
What Miss Durkin did not say is that
for wears she was known in the building
trades as "Peckworth's right-hand man
Since she left Mr.. Peckworth, four years
ago. she has built many city buildings
public baths. engine houses and schools.
Miss Durkin is an attractive, pleasant
voiced woman OF about thirty. She radi-
ates a quiet energy, but has nothing OF
what Is commonly called 1.-THE typical bisl-
ness woman She does not wear eye
glasses nor stiff collars and derby. When
seen yesterday In her comfortable ONCE
Miss Durkin was Just preparing TO go OUT
FOR luncheon and was wearing a trim hlu'
suit that had Paris" indelibly stamped on
It, a chiffon blouse and large black nat