Judge — July 14, 1923 — page 22: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Visitor—Now just why do you favor abolishing capital punishment? “Landsakes, stranger! It’s too durned dangerous!” To the American Telephone Company by Minnie Pflop I am A hearty indorser of time conser’ tion in every form. Many con- gratulations on the installation of these new revolving “get-your-own-number” thingamajigs. ‘They're great! Your man came around a month or so ago and put one in our house and I haven't had to buy the baby a new toy since. My wife also wishes to thank you and ate that she enjoys the device She has ted a lovely new game to play on it, and that in- cidentally has gone a greatwayin breaking the monotony of our urday night poker parties. In fact she has taught several families in the apartment house and it seems to be all the rage up this way. In case you wish to try it for yourself I shall elucidate. The party forms a circle about a so- called “operator” chosen from the ranks. Beginning with a certain person, each member in turn gives the operator the “Think there’s anythin’ in wot they say about not bein’ able t’ keep a good man down, Alf?” “You bet! Lookit me. No sooner’d Prohibition killed my job as_a horrible ex- ample than I bobs right back up as a ectoplasm!” month and the year of his or her birthday and the operator in turn uses the dial and calls the respective number. For instance, if you were born in April, 1896— she would call APR 1896. When the party answers she immediately asks in a skepiical fashion, “What number is notes the number down on of paper. For instance, if they say this is Pennsylvania 3972, she records thirty-nine-seventy-two, which that the person who gave the operator this number must pay $39. to the party on the right, and so on continuing around the circle. Second rounds may be made by using birthday dates of fathers, mothers, ete. ad infinitum. It’s immense! On the other hand, however, there is a great drawback to this ¢ innova- tion and it is in behalf of our many fine and noble telephone girls that 1 mention it. Previously a telephone operator did not need an education. One did not need more than a year of kindergarten to become an expe How you have revolutionized thing: We had to dis- charge the girl who had been with us thirteen years. A girl who was as good looking as any of them, and who could chew gum right up to her par. You see she never had the advantage of a college education, and her spelling was weak. For Schuyler she would” ring SKI and for Bryant BRI and so on. It really was a shame. But, after all, perhaps it is better to have telephone operating put on a higher plane. Could you possibly institute a night school in If so, please send me an tion card. yy the way, your rates must have gone up terribly) My bill last’ month was outrageous! means revue producer strives for ity in dress for his chorus—and apparently strive for aboriginality 7, eis We the ing cour ing,’ “suy and you vom. time comicbooks.com