New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-20
WORKED HER WAY TO TOP
IN THE TELEPHONE BUSINESS
Miss Margaret Hyatt, Assistant Traffic Superintendent Of
the Chicago Telephone Company Tells Of
PIums for Bright Hello Girls.
BY Isabel stephen.

Margaret NJ Hyatt, assistant trsfflc
superintendent of the Chicago Telephone
Company, came TO America when she
was a little girl Her family had rela-
tives and friends in the new country. and
from the time she began to understand
the conversation in the home circle she
heard OF the wonderful opportunities
which were there to be had for the SEEK
ing.
Little Margaret was therefore fertIie
material for the American spirit wheh
she came over. and when she reached Ter
fourteenth year she set about To ma Tor
herself a road to success. \ friend adj
vised her to secure position with the
Chicago Telephone Company.
1T appeared to be an open door OF
opportunity she SAID recently, and
was glad TO enter There was nothing
unusual or spectacular in my advance
ment. Promotion came step by step.
beginning as operator, promoted by sue
cessive steps TO supervisor. assistant chl"t
operator. chief operator ana manager.
When "A new position was offered ii never
occurred TO me TO reject IL because #
the added work or responsibility. The
larger field OF action simply meant great
work and enjoyed having something to
do that required concentration and close
attention. For any measure OF success
that can claim. first place must be
given 10 early home training, which had
insulled into my mind the injunction
Whatsoever thy hand fndeth TO do do
ii with all thy might 50 that il seemed
the natural thing TO give of my best in
performing any task, and telephone work
was sufficiently interesting TO make pag-
ticipation in its development pleasure
The position Of manager OF a telephone
exchange is one that has been occupied
almost exclusively by men, but my SUI
perors considered that had shown
ability in the lower positions that quail
fled me for promotion 10 this higher on".
and | was given charge OF the largest
telephone exchange in Chicago, one Of the
largest and busiest In the world. ] held
this position for several years. and was
recently promoted TO an advisory posi-
ton on the staff OF the superintentendent
II believe telephone work is a very good
business lot Blrls. telcpnOne once IL
one of the safest places In which young
girl can be in the business world She is
guarded from temptation and her welfare
is always considered, while the compen-
satlon is equal to. and in many cases eX-
ceeds. that given In other lines OF bust
ness. She is trained in a profession that
secures employment wherever she may be
Should an operator I'm Boston find it nee
essary TO locate I'm San Francisco, ar
rangements may be made for her en-
arrives in the Western city she can at
once enter upon her duties.
There is a very large field for begin
ners I'm this work and employment is
easily secured by application to any of
the telephone companies. The age at
which girls are employed is sixteen years
and over. 1t has been found that young
girls learn the work much more readily
than older ones.
The requirements for a successful tele-
phone operator are about the same as
those needed i'm any other business. She
must have good health: that is essential.
She should have "A fair education. pref
erably high school. although this f. not
an absolute necessity. Any girl who IL
ambitious may by observation and home
study qualify. even though her education
liz elementary, but she will find II moro
difficult than her more fortunate sister
who has had opportunity for "A higher