The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-03-28

On. 20, SUI zgszzz
tbegun. As all were to have free use OF
1.-THE line at all times, when not used BY
others, 81 was arranged that each mem
Der should furnish certain number Of
poles, and perform a given amount OF
work, but the difficulty with such an
arrangement was made apparent from
the fact that some Of. the members.
owing to certain conditions, were more
heavily burdened than others, which
resulted IN a cooperative movement,
all uniting to finish up the work.
After the line was fully completed
and thoroughly tested it was accepted
by the organization. AS we were to
have no central Office it was found nee
essary to formulate code Of signals
for the use of the members. A com
mittee was accordingly appointed for
that purpose. The result Of its work
in effect was as follows: A given sig
nal made by ringing the bell on an in
strument ''calls up''a certain member.
Thus, A has two long, and one short
ring; B has. one long, one short, and
one long ring, ETC., while a long CON
tinuous ringing signifies ''all up'' call,
only to be used in case OF fire or other
important occasions.
- A copy of these signals is pasted at a
convenient place near each members
telephone. One soon learns to recog-
nize his own signal on being called,
and while given signal rings all the
bells on the line, one seldom cares to
listen to conversation between mem
bers more than mail officials care to
read the postal cards passing through
their hands.
In lnaugurating a system of this
character, the organization should, ii
possible, be composed Of members
whose interests are somewhat similar,
and who, from a social standpoint,
would be considered congenial and
agreeable associates" With no cen.
trail Office, and for satisfactory service,
the number of telephones on the line
is limited to twenty. After organiza-
tton every additional member is ad-
mitted by vote of the association.
We. now number twelve farmers, two
prominent physicians and one mer-
| chant. all with the latter exception
being representatives Of our town
Grange. One member is now dele
gated as business manager, having the
entire oversight of the whole system.
A resolution recently passed IRE.
quires that members are. TO pay a tax
f-of one dollar per annum, an amount
sufficient for the light county tax ana
other contingent expenses4that. may
accrue. There are no salaried officers.
From business and social stand
point it is without any exception gain.
ing in favor, miles of travel in all
| kinds OF weather. and all conditions OF
roads are saved During the winter oil
| 1899, while the iercest snow storm OF
the season was raging and the high.
ways impassa BILE, the members of the
line were called up, meeting organ.
lied and the matter of school of agri
culture to be conducted by eminent
professors of Cornell University was
discussed. The plans we're arranged,
date and place named, and a favora
bic reply Immediately mailed to one OF
the professors as requested, all being
accomplished by members at their own
fresides, with the exception of the one
that mailed the letter.
It is believed the female members oil
the households appreciate the bless
ings of the telephone more than Others
During inclement weather, often being
shut in and isolated from the out.
side world days in succession in many
farmhouses, to them the telephone
in most wonderful and mysterious
manner, enables them to converse with
those formerly OF the same household
about sick ones, the condition of the
aged and -infrm, daily pursuits, ani
matters Of mutual interest in general
Thus are many homes made brighter
Respondent ones cheered and made
happier, and the days burdens more
easily and patiently borne.
| JOS. D. Cook.
sThe Deestrick Skule.'
A mid roorc of lo,,oh@or 4bo o,,,to :,