The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-04
Topeka Conductorettes Begin
Work on Street Cars Today.
Impassively They Stand Up I'm
der Remarks of Comedians.
NOW HOW ABOUT SMOKING?
So Far, Men Show Every Cour
tesy to Women Workers.
Girls Say They'll Like 1t Be-
cause 1t Helps Win War.

Oats de fust time I ebber did see
lady kon-ducta," the colored passen-
ger fairly exploded, as he mounted the
steps into North Topeka street car
this morning where the conductorette
stood, on the platform serenely ignor-
ing the gaze of curious passengers. The
round eyes of the colored passenger
glistened and fairly strained in their
sockets as he delivered himself of his
observation on the street car COM
panys new employees.
garrulous old man got on. Point
ing his cane toward the woman who
stood on the rear platform, he began:
Coin to have new kind of conduc-
tor, hain't we?" He was launching into
a series of platitudes about the war,
when his remarks were cut short by
the crisp tones of a business man who
boarded the car and addressed him
self to the instructing conductor: See
you're training a conductorette. How
many started out this morning on the
job? How long are the girls going to
work Will they do night work ?" and
list of other questions that the con-
ductor made no attempt to answer.
He Said Nothing.
A farmer lad got aboard. He stared
blankly at the conductor girl, and then
his face began to tighten with a grin,
as he surveyed the young woman in
frank approval. He was the only pas
senger, up to the time he got on
who had refrained from making COM
mentS.
Meanwhile, the rear of the car kept
filling up, until something of a crowd
was assembled on the cold. unshelter-
ed platform, while the interior of the
or1xy c
there less smoking among the men on
the platform than there was this
morning on the cars where the con-
ductorettes travelled to learn their new
jobs.
She paid not the slightest heed to
the gazing that was directed at her.
She appeared not to hear the. COM
ments. Her attractive face was en-
tirely impassive, and she bore herself
with quiet, pleasant dignity. She had,
in fact, all of that repose that marks
the caste of We're de vere.''
Her Chance to Help in War.
The girl who stood in the corner
of the platform of a North Topeka
car today is the wife of a. conductor.
and the mother of a little boy. She is
one of those who knows just why she
is offering the service she has entered.
'I am going to like this work, 1 am
sure" she said smiling pleasantly,
because it is my chance to help in the
war. I shall do some night work, 1
suppose, but I think I.shal1 not mind
that"
The girls were dressed for their
work this morning in dark suits. which
they furnish themselves, with middle
blouses and big white collars. The
company furnishes them With their
hats, which are small. close fitting
olive drab caps, bearing the metal
plate across the front. with the name
of the company and the conductors s
number. The company also furnishes
the changer.
Today the women are learning their
jobs, and after a few days they will
be able to handle the work without
the help of instructors. The women
will work during fair week. and will
then be sufficiently well trained to be
called to service whenever they are
needed.
How About Smoking?
New questions of street car etiquet
will arise with the innovation of the
employment of women conductors.
One of these questions will be that OF
! smoking on the platform. Will the
platform johnnies refrain from pro-
/ family when the 200-pound passenger
/ steps on their toes? Who will handle
heavy suitcases for feeble travellers
! Who will volunteer to assist the con-
III removing ITOH1 the CdI
the roughneck who argues too vocif-
erously about his transfer or his
| change. or the tobacco chewer who
| sl'its on the car steps, or the stew who
wants to pick fight?
| Among the women learning the
! conductorette trade today are: Mrs
Gordon Kinney. Mrs. c.. w. Mccall
| Mrs. Ham and Mrs. c. A. Piper. All
j of them are wives of street car con-
| ductors.