MAY HAVE WOMEN MOTORMEN

Employment of women as conductors and motormen was advocated at the annual national convention of the American Electric Railway association, at which street railway men from all parts of the United States painted a dark future for their business unless more income could be obtained or expenses reduced. The employment of women was put forward as a means of increasing the labor supply. F. W. Brooks, president of the Detroit united railways, was the principal advocate of women motormen and conductors. In his paper, "Female Substitutes for Male Employes," he said that not only could women do the work on modern street cars, but that the experience of other countries had shown that with women operating the cars, there were fewer accidents.

"The question is asked as to the physical and mental work required of motormen and conductors," he said. "It is my opinion that women can perform the work of motormen and conductors satisfactorily. It is a current opinion that they may become excited and lose control of their vehicle when contending with congested traffic. It is my observation that under such conditions women are driving motor vehicles as successfully as men.

"In my opinion the same wage must be paid women for like service that is paid men. I take it that the problem before us is to increase the available supply of labor, and if women may be made as efficient as men, they should be given the same consideration."

-- Des Moines Register, Nov. 9, 1917