Pardon My T Square by Helene Burke "A girl majoring in engineering!" The reaction generally noted when this subject is mentioned is a short surprised silence followed by a volley of questions. From past experience I am aware that such a choice conjures up a mental picture of some grim thing striding along in black oxfords, wearing a baggy tweed suit and a crew haircut. To all of which I can only say, "Perish the thought that it should happen to me." It probably follows next to wonder why a girl should wish to enter such a difficult field and one so foreign to the sex. The requirements are stringent, the competition very stiff, and the anti-female resentment strong. Also the period of preparation and education is long and expensive. My answer is neither complicated nor, I hope, pretentious. I simply like it and I want to try. The requirements I hope to satisfy by several years in structural engineering and one or two years spent in architectural engineering. Later, after gathering some training and practical experience, I would like to obtain some training in art and decoration, particularly commercial interiors. Engineering is a basic stepping stone to a great many fields, one of which is housing, and this is where I want to get off the ladder. Why? Because the shortage of any sort, much less adequate and suitable housing, is nearing tragic proportions and I feel that anyone who can help should do so, particularly if his or her interest lies in that direction. At the present time there are ten million slum-type dwellings in this country, all of which are inhabited, and more are being built. Houses are being constructed without regard to sanitation, light, air, safety, play-space, or comfort. This stacks the odds pretty high against 40 per cent of the total American population who do not live in decent houses. The cost of perpetuating such a condition adds up to a staggering sum, both in the original building cost and in the amount paid to support juvenile courts, fight disease and control crime. But oddly enough probably no one really wants to construct slums. They just seem to grow by themselves out of lack of interest and information, out of failure to plan and look ahead to the coming years. Even those who presently prosper by building such dwellings would actually be economically better without them. Certainly the people who live in them would trade for suitable, inexpensive living quarters with green years for their children, clean streets and pleasant surroundings. And the cities and towns that are built around such congested areas would they not be better places in which to live if these conditions did not exist. These things are surely true, but they are only three of the reasons why I want to enter the field of housing via engineering. In several scattered locations throughout the country, progressive city planners, along with architects and engineers, have supervised the construction of new housing areas. These few concerted efforts represent some of the best work done in public housing to date and show that improvement and betterment of a sad situation is possible by proving its merits in actual operation. The problem is not even limited to slums and tenements. A great many Americans are waiting patiently for the day when they can build a comfortable, modern house that will include all they want in a home. These houses are not to be rush jobs, built with green lumber or unfinished plumbing. They are not to be constructed six feet apart or placed on some undesirable piece of land. Instead, these "someday" housebuilders want sturdy permanent homes in which they may take pride in ownership and dignity in living. While Jack may not build such houses, it takes far too much jack to construct any such dwellings under present or even future conditions. In consequence, these people do not build, and the housing situation is further aggravated. To further justify my ambition, I might argue that women are better qualified than men to work in housing. Because of the time they spend in their homes they are more fully aware of what will add to the convenience and livability of a home. I will admit, however, that this is not a good argument. Men are the traditional builders in society and probably will continue to be. That task is theirs not only by seniority but by right. However, in the matter of housing women have much to offer by way of suggestion and help, and it is only of late that this help is being recognized, utilized and appreciated. It is by no means a crusade, but rather a gradual acceptance of anyone who has ability and training in the field. Certainly the day is yet far away when women will discuss, stress, frontage, and cantilevered roofs on an equal par with men, and it probably would not be very interesting conversation anyway; nevertheless, ideas that have, merit should be heard, assistance that is useful should be accepted, and training that is valuable should be utilized regardless of sex. (Continued on page 24) Page Sixteen Photo by West Joyce Herrick One of the first truths learned by the girl entering the Business Department of Weber College is that there is much more to secretarial science than sitting on the boss's knee. The world of shorthand symbols, typewriters, and adding machines is a complex one but leads to a stimulating and profitable occupation for many Weber graduates every year. This includes, of course, both men and women. Business education often provides a stepping-stone to high executive positions. Page Seventeen