The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-07-02
A TALKING NEWSPAPER,
Remarkable lnstituti0n of Buda.
Pesth, Hunxary-Certain Classes
Of News At Regular Hours.

The possibilities of the telephone
as news distributor are not utilized
in this country except on special oc-
casions, such as election nights, or on
the occasional of International Yacht
races or other momentous events.
That it could be utilized to a greater
degree is demonstrated by the sue
cess of the telephone newspaper, of
Ruda-Pesth, which has been in oper-
alton for several years past. This So
called newspaper distributes news
to its subscribers by means of tele-
phones, according to regular sched-
ule. At present it has about 5000
subscribers and operates some 372
miles of wire, says Worlds Work.
News such as that commonly found
IN metropolitan dalies is gathered by
a corps of reporters through the
usual manner, and this is whipped
into shape by the editorial staff in
much the same way. When in proper
presentable shape the news is read
OF by a stentor, and the subscriber
taking down his telephone receiver
may hear whatever is being read at
that moment. OF course one could
not wait with the receiver to the ear
all day for some particular news fea-
ture, consequently the telephone ad-
vices are arranged according to q
fixed schedule.
Each subscriber is provided with a
printed programme, attached to the
instrument on the wall, or table, tell
ing just what may be expected at any
hour OF each day. except Sundays and
holidays, between 1890 a. III. and
10:30 p. m. When concert or some
high entertainment is being reported,
the service is continued much later.
Stock exchange reports reach sub
scrlbers several hours ahead of the
evening papers. Reports of the leg
lslative bodies and political news oc-
cupy the time from 1l:45 to 10
o'clock. General news, of course,
comes in all day.
Twice day, at 1880 and at six
o'clock in the evening, resume is
given for the benefit of those who
may miss any particular news item.
From five to six in the evening there
are concerts. literary criticism, art
notes, sporting reports and similar
miscellany. On Sunday there is a spe-
cial sche.SslSa'1e, including a news sum-
sadary in the morning and an after
noon concert. A children's entertain
ment is given every Thursday evening
at six o'clock.
The above service, including the in
stallation of the instruments, is given
by the "Telefon Hirmondo" which is
the name of this queer news distrib-
utter, upon payment of yearly SUBJ
scription of $3.50. OF course, adver-
tising plays an important part in the
Income of the paper, as it does in all
newspaper work, though the tele
phone news distributer is at dsad.
vantage in this respect, as the time
devoted to advertisements is strictly
limited. The regular charge is AZ
cents for each II seconds, or S2.1O
minute.
The newspaper file is made up Of
tie written slips read by the stem
tors, indorsed with the hour of their
announcement. The stentors are Sc.
lected for their strong, clear voices
and eIocutionarv powers. There are
ordinarily six of these readers four
FOR duty and two alternates. When
all the stentors are present they take
turns Of ten minutes each, though
sometimes they are required to take
half-hour shifts, The paper gives con-
certs in its Offices, which are rem
dered to the subscribers by means of
telephone transmitters and receivers
of special construction.
The lIirmondo is said to be very
well received and appeals most
strongly to the intellectual classes.
There are no editorial comments, ex-
cept literary criticisms and art notes,
and the editor is strictly accountable
for suits against the paper for libel.
He has already had two or three law
suits, but>has won all of them. A still
further extension Of the system is be-
ing worked out through the introduce
tion Of a pennyin-thc-slot principle.
The coin employed is really 20~hller
piece, equivalent TO two cents.
The advantages Of this service to in
valids and busy people who only want
a resume OF the days happenings, as
forded by the concerts and stories in
lighter vein are apparent.