I think it was normal practice in the 1930s. Living in Blackpool, with our tower, we often see pictures on local history websites such as this link.

www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=710041639020720&set=gm.579178648824733&type=1&theater

One of the contributors comments that her grandfather took such a job as "it was the only job he could get". That's how things were then.