Evening star., 1942-12-20
BY LISBETH SOLLING.

The Capital Transit Co., which
struggles with the mounting diff
culties Of moving Washington S
huge wartime population to and
from work by streetcar and bus
needs women to help do the job
and needs them quickly!
Although the company has
started out slowly and carefully, it
will begin a widespread, intensified
advertising campaign to recruit
women employees. 1t needs drivers
and conductors badly.
Two women were initiated into
the mysteries of bus driving yes
terday. Said Mrs. Dorothy Berlett,
Is, of 929 Potomac avenue Sc, an
attractive young matron:
Il like to drive cars I have just
driven in a truck with cattle from
West Virginia. For 13 years I have
never had an accident. l have
never scrared a fender, l never put
a scratch on another car. Knock
Wood!'
hhN'Nhs'to NV IL ~ bppt"a.
MIS-. Ccrlett AYERS she is good
nGtmed and thinks she will get
along fine with the citys pushing
throngs.
Mrs. Gertrude WEIGH of Alb East
Capitol street is familiar with tram
sit work. Her husband worked for
20 years with the Capital Transit
Co.
Il just seem to know the COM
pany so WE'LL she said. Il know
the way they operate"
That is the reason the company
so far has restricted itself to tell
ing present employees that their
relatives are welcome into the COM
pany ranks. Says Alexander Shapiro,
director OF personnel:
I'VE have notified all our en-
ploycs Of what we need. We try
to get the relatives or friends Of
our own people to start with, Me
cause these people are accustomed
TO the way We operate. They UNDER
stand that we function q hours a
day, 7 days a week. But we will
soon begin an intensive advertising
campaign, We need people ter
ribly.'
These are some of the qualifica-
tionS for women: 25 to 35 years of
age, not less than 1870 pounds in
weight, feet 3 inches minimum
height, a reSourcelul, realistic frame
Of mind, Women will work during
rush hours on a split shift, part
time basis. not more than five or
six hours a day. six days a week
Responsible Women Wanted.
The work NAV turn out to be
too hard for white collar people
Mr.. Shapiro said we need Sc
rious, responsible women, who have
had to do their own washing, so to
speak. Women won't have to learn
to repair cars or change tires. We
have special people for that kind of
work. But We want women in the
frame of mind that they will go
out and take care of whatever
comes up. A woman who has not
had to rely on her own resources IN
life will be constantly beWildered
on the job. She would run to the
nearest telephone and call US w
each time something won't wrCNo
We need wor,on who will stick With
thn jcb ard SO i through
In so far as possible, woman driv-
er5 will be aSsirncd to buses. and
those without automobile expert
ence will be detailed to trolley cars
Bus drivers probably will wear
slacks, the others skirts, They will
have the company cap and navy
blue jacket, ''if they can get it. =
Low heels will be mandatory.
Women's shifts will be from or
7;30 am. to or $50 am. and from
2 or $50 pm. to 6 or 7:30 pm,
covering the morning and evening
rush hours.
Wages Same as Mems.
Out of the Capital Transit Co S
5000 employees 5000 are vehicle op-
orators Emrloye turnover is ter-
rife. Since the beginning OF the
year the company has trained 900
rev men but is right back where
it started. The big training program
gained them nothing in total num-
- /.