Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-12-02
'Engineeress' Tells
of Chosen Work With
Boilers and Motors
Woman on job at Robert Long
Hospital Only Member of
Her Sex in One Union.

Engineering is a field that has not
been invaded largely by the feminine
worker, although last June Indfana Uni
versity graduated a young woman in
civil engineering and now and then one
hears Of some enterprising woman who
is doing something along mechanical,
civil. chemical. hydraulic or one of the
fifty seven varieties of engineering, but
such instances are extremely rare. How
ever, Indianapolis boastsfof one of the
rarest in Mrs. Gertrude Latta, chief en-
gineer OF the Robert Long Hospital, who
superintends The firing Of the boilers. the
plumbing. electrical apparatus, the motor
repairing and a number Of other minor
details
One might expect such a woman to
be of the brawny, masculine type, but
not so. Mrs. Latta is o slim young
woman yith long, curly eyelashes and
the shortest upper lip imaginable; In
fact, the dainty type Of person, whom
one would fancy in fluffy, silk negligee.
slipping her break fast chocolate in bed,
Instead Of being CARRIED in the blue
denim working attire of a laborer, with
brown cap rakishly pulled over her
yellow hair, bossing the mechanical
workings Of a large building, and not
only superintendent but doing the actual
work when necessity demands.
"Oh. yes" she said. on being asked
whether she could fire a boiler, ''of
course I can. 1t would be absurd for
person to try to superintend a job
that he could not do himself I had to
fire for two weeks not long ago. when
one OF my men was sick. Can l re-
pair an automobile motor? I should
hope so. Why that is the easiest thing
in the world. Any one can FIX his car
If he will only try. There is nothing
to It Why a motor is so simple that
you can't help but put 1t together right
II you take 1t to pieces.
when l first came here, they had
corps OF workmen. some for the motor
repairs, some for the elevators, some for
the plumbing, a few for the lighting
system in fact. every phase OF the me-
ehsnical construction OF the building had
individual mechanics. and everything
was always being repaired. Well now
we have no special wOrkmen. I look
after all those things and keep them in
good condition; the elevator runs, the
call buttons signal and things run
smoothly. 1t is all in getting things
systsmatized. l also have charge of
the nurses homes, tend to the plumbing
neFerything."
Mrs. Latta grew up in the work, she
says, and when she was just a youngster
she would help her father who WAS IN
the Big Four shops and on his death
she was able to take his place which
started her In such a line Of work. She
worked in Kansas for a while as engi-
neer OF building and during last sum
mer she took a short course in engineer
ing at Kansas University. She has taken
a number OF university correspondence
courses in connection with her work. The
young engineeress wears the symbol OF
the labor union on her shirt and claims
the distinction OF being the only feminine
member in her union.
at doesn't seem a bit strange or I'M
usual TO me for a woman to be in this
work. IN fact, it seems the most natural
thing in the world. but l guess women
as a rule don't feel that way, for as far
as / know / am the only woman I'm the
United States in this particular line OF
engineering work" said Mrs. Lattn, IN
discussing her choice Of business. II am
at no disadvantage, whatsoever. No.
should say not. have had no labor
trouble. I understand my men and I
haven't the slightest hesitation IN dis
a workman who is not compe-
tent, and no hesitation in advancing
man who is. / have had four business
offers IN the last few weeks which In
themselves are indications that men do
not consider the fact that l am a woman
any detriment to my efficiency"