The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-05-23
GIRL ENC|NE.W|PERS
HIRED IN \. P. SHOPS
New Railroaders Like Their
Work, Too, Despite Dirt
and Grease.
OVERALLS AND JACKET
Two Dozen Feminine Labor
ers Are Now Engaged in
Local Railroad Shops.
OVERALLS AND JACKET
tContinued From Page One)

l was doing before came here. With |
all these big doors open It's almost |
like outdoors. It's much healthier than
office work and it pays more, too. We
get $o.o5 for our nine-h hour shift. Oh.
its dirty enough. but it's respectable.
just the same"
Men Are "Just Fine"
"And how about the men here I'm the
shops? What is their attitude toward
you?" The question was put to an
other lady engine wiper. working her
eleventh engine that day." To look
at her bright face you would expect
to see her gowned in some shimmerinE
ballroom affair. But she was one OF
the kind whom any costume is becom-
ing and the male attire was no cx-
ception.
"Oh, the men! they are just splen-
did" was her enthusiastic answer.
Everyone treats us just as nice as
can be. Mr.. Draper told them that
any man who didn't act the part of
the gentleman would be discharged.
but l don't think 1t was necessary"
Old Grew wen pte0SeU.
Her opinion had the backing of all
the other girls. Indeed. the visitor
could see for himself that the men
apparently were pleased with the in
novation. II q doubtcr wanted further
proof n few words or conversation
with any of the men furnished 1t.
A RaiIroadine Family.
GLOW did you happen to start work
ing here" was asked Of the oldest
man on the job"
1.-THE men in my family are all in
railroad work and when heard some
one say that women were wanted in
the shops. thought I'd join them.
Father didn't like it n little bit. but
here I am. When l saw I was the
only girl I was pretty scared and just
about turned back. I'm glad didn't
I'm the only girl in this shop but
don't mind 1t at all any more. The
men all treat me SO well. And ! like
to be a boy" She glanced at her over
alls. Il wore skirts the first day. My
but they got dirty. These are the onl,
things to work in"
"You don't seem to mind the dirt a,
all"
"Of course not. not while I'm work.
ing. After the days over though, il
feels good to put on clean dress.
do you intend to stay with thu
work."
"Oh. yes. I'm going to stick it out
In n month. you know, they give us
pass. I'm going to 30 to Butte. The
blue eyes smiled in anticipation. THE
work will be open for us for four OF
five years. they tell me. They won
hire any men for these jobs any mor'
now. And the boss told me that
did better work and more Of it than
the boy whose place I took
"Piease Don't Use Our Names"
Would you mind if we used you
namc?'
She looked puzzled. ''My name"
Enlishtmcnt dawncd in her eyes. ooh
you're a reporter" She blushcd ant
was about to cover her face with he
arm when she. noticed how greasy tn
sleeve was. She dropped it. Fcminin
instinct had not entirely surrendered
But her please don't" has been fol
lowed. you observe.
Just then one Of the men brough
up two girls. They were eager to Sc
how the work went. Their trim whit
shoes. dainty frocks and richly colore
coats brought out in strong relief tn
transition stage in the life Of won,a
which the war had brought to, Mis-
soula.
When they had left the pioneer sal
that many of the girls were intereste
in the new work. After her first da
she had told her friends of her fin
Job and has plenty Of companions i
overalls now.
Clerk. Wipine Engines.
Not all the women employed cam
from families where the men wer
railroad workers. Two Of them, it
true. had husbands who were ais
working on the road but many of tn
girls were formerly clerks or held OF
flee positions or were in the hig
school. All of them did their wor
with will. The only concession
they made to their sex were tn
brightly colored caps they wore
protect their hair.
Officials Satisfied.
"Thc women are doing very salts
factory work." s. II. Draper. the mas
ter mechanic. declares. ''Thc engineer
tell me their locomotives look bright'
and cleaner than ever before. An
the passenger coaches are cleaned o,
more thoroughly and kept much moi
neatly than when We had men do tn:
work. The women are doing their b
for the nations defense and doing
mighty WE'LL"