The age-herald., 1901-03-28
TELEPHONE GIRLS
 GO ON 4 STRIKE Squawky Voices Now Say
 "Numbe'," Please BUILDING IS IN DANGER The Girls Asked the Manager To Move Montgomery Exchange and On His Refusal They Promptly
 Walked Out.
BUILDING IS IN DANGER

Montgomery, March 2S.-(Special. )-The telephone girls in the local exchange rang off" this morning and went out on a strike,
 The chief operator and her prettiest and most skillful assistants quit work.
 The strike, the girls claim, is an act of self-preservation. The building in which the exchange is located is. they say. in danger of coliapsing. The old First Ma tfonal Bank stood next to 1t. The bank building has been torn down to make room for a handsome modern six-story office structure, Between the building in which the Telephone Exchange is located and the old bank building there was only a thin wall. When the supporting bank building was moved this wall sagged out wards. The walls look as If the brick had been laid without mortar. They seem to be separated from each other, and have altogether dangerous appear ance.
 The walls have been stayed as much as possible with heavy timbers, yet all the occupants of the building have been ner- vous. This morning the office force of the Merchants and Planters National Bank which is in the same building with the Telephone Exchange-noved further up Commerce street as matter of safety.
 '2 The Girls Got Mad.
 On learning this the telephone girls had their apprehensions doubled. They held an indignation meeting. The result of the putting of the pretty heads together was a demand upon Manager Miller that he move the exchange. He explained that this was impossible, as it would take two months to move and adjust the wires. Besides, he added, there was no real dan ger and that there would not be until yhe walls were dug under.
 Then the girls quit. Instead of going on as usual at s o'clock they put on their hats and went home.
 Those who went on the strike were Miss Anna Dickson, chief operator; Misses Clorisse Booker, Dora Lindsay Ida Galloway, Susie Robertson, Bessie Wal ker Lena Bowman Teresa Hogan, Occie Prendegast, Louise Flynn, Lillian Allen and Lizzie Hardte.
 A hurried search was made by the manager for substitutes. Most of these were found in young boys. The service today has not been as prompt and accu- rate as usual. Instead of the soft femi- nine number please?' there has been a gasling squawk from a half-grown boy or bass roar from some young man substitute.
 Presbyterian Synods.
 The Presbyterian synods of Florida and Alabama are in session here. They are met to discuss the advisability of estab fishing a Presbyterian College in Mont gomery There seems to be unanimous sentiment among the attending ministers for a denominational college. Last night Rev. MT. Ramsey of Oxford read a paper on "The importance of supplementing the education the secular training gives by state schools by that of church schools" Today the discussion of "The critical importance of developing Presby- terian interests in Alabama and Florida in the opening decade of the twentieth century," was participated in by Revs. Neal L. Anderson, D. c. Lilly, J. G. Snedecor and MT. Smith.
 The following ministers are attending the conferences: Revs. E. P. Davis, P. H. Gaines, J. L. R. Walker, J. G. Sne- decor. E. P. Ramsay, D. c. Lilly, R. T. Hodge, w. E. Waller, A. E. Smith, c. G. Ponder and Rosby Prof. J. l.. Dodson and William Fisher. Rev. w. E. Nell vane of Pensacola is acting as moderator.
 It was announced from the adjutant generals office that there would be no settlement of the Higdon-Hue contro- versy today. Governor Sanford was pre- siding at a meeting of the board of as- sessment and could not give it the time required.