The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-06
Topeka Railroad Y. M. G. A.
Would Take in Opposite Sex.
First Time in History This
Action Has Been Suggested.
WILL HAVE TO CHANGE BYLAWS
Would Allow Women in Santa
Fe Shops To Join r. R.. Y. M.
Men of Association Here VIII.
ing To Support Change.

For the first time. doubtless. in the
history of this man made world, wo-
men are being considered as possible
members of the Y. NJ. C. A.
At meeting of the committee of
management of the Railroad Y. NJ.
c. A, a resolution was introduced an6
discussed proposing a change in the
associations constitution whereby
the women workers in the railroad
shops and shop offices may share in
the benefits of the Railroad Y. NJ. C.
A. No action can be taken at once,
and probably the matter will not be
settled before the early part of No
vember, inasmuch as the bylaws will
have to be changed, and that requires
some time.
The war has sent large number of
Topeka women into positions that
heretofore the authorities had never
thought of filling except with men.
In the store house alone there are 80
women. Many women are employed
in the freight house, in the upholstery
department of the coach shops, in the
machine shops, in the motor power
building, and in other departments of
mechanical and office work of the
shops. No provision is made for the
comfort of these women, such as the
Y. M. c. A. offers to the shop men.
Employees of Shops.
In speaking of the proposed change
in the old order of the Railroad Y. M.
c. A, the secretary. F. ]. Prout, said:
THE Santa Fe furnishes an appropria-
ton for our work, and helps US in de-
fraying some of our expenses These
women are as much the employees of
the Santa Fe as the men are, and it
seems to me we owe them as much
consideration. 1t is my idea that we
should furnish them a dining room,
where they can eat their lunch, and
a stove on which to prepare or warm
up their food. They should have a
place to go for reading or resting dur
ing the lunch hour, or at other times
when they are off from work. Hence
our proposal for a membership for
women in a limited way.
"Our men of the association seemed
much in favor of the proposal to adj
init women to the privileges of the
association, when the matter was dis
cussed in the meeting.
Women Classes Before.
sit is to be understood, of course,
that in case we make the amendment
to our constitution, and give the shop
women a place in our association the
act will in no way infringe on the field
of work belonging to the Y. w. C. A.
The women we would hope to serve
could not possibly go to the Y. w. c.
A for such benefits as we could offer
them, because it is too far away. We
would no more occupy the field of the
Y. w. c. A. than we have all along
occupied that of the Central Y. M. c.
A.
The Railroad Y. M C. A has pre-
viously followed a broad-minded pol
Icy with regard to women. Last year
at least two of their classes were open
to women. A class in advanced me-
chanical drawing graduated eleven
women, who will receive their dipomas
at the opening of the sessions of the
class this fall. A course in office train
ing also was given to women last year
graduates from which are holding Of
flee positions now