The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-08-28
CONTEST NO. , BEGINS
MANY ESTIMATES FILED ON
 ELEPHANT DOTS.
Crowd Gathered in Line at Adver- tiser's New Building Tester day Morning-Much Interest
 in New Problem.

The Elephant Dot Contest opened promptly at 10 o'clock yesterday morning at The Advertiser new building
 The line began to form during the small hours of the morning and gradual ly increased until by 10 o'clock it had reached lengthy proportions. The best of order was maintained and all women and children were shown courtesy.
 The mail added largely to the receipts of estimates and upon beginning to re- ceive estimates. an envelope from an out of town contestant was opened first. Then an estimate received from per son at the window. Out of town esti- mates alternated with city estimates until all had been filed.
 The main rush did not last but about an hour, but steady stream Of esti- mates arriving both by person and by mail kept the force of clerks busy throughout the day filing. checking and counting coupons.
 It is hard to determine which is proving the most difficult problem to solve so far, No. 1 or No. ?. Some say The Elephant Dots are a tough proposition while others say they are easy as compared with other problems heretofore presented by The Advertiser.
 One thing is sure. the Elephant Dots are being counted. Some may have made mistakes. The following note accompany ing one coupon received yesterday may explain the troubles of many:
 ''Spigner, Aug. 26, 1902. 'The Problem Editor. Montgomery. Ala:
 Dear Sir-Enclosed you will find 60 cents in stamps. As 1 wrote last week, this is no money order office If none of the counts are correct you can at tribute it to the glorious news from the election, as l was counting when the news reached me. I was such an over- wheiming and ardent supporter of Will liam Dorsey Jelks, l forgot all about dots or prizes"
 The election being over it is presumed that the Dots will have more attention. Consequently great preparations are be- ing made for handling the increased busi- ness during the balance of the contest. Many estimates are still coming in on Problem No. in which there are many valuable prizes remaining to be claimed by correct counters.
 This Dot business Is a peculiar one. One can never tell when prize will strike him. Although former contests conducted by The Advertiser have run for over two weeks on a single problem, es- inmates filed on the last day drew some of the best prizes and was complete surprise lO the peTSOH lfllllS lileHi.
 During the first Dot contest conducted by The Advertiser last April, only 2tS persons counted or guessed the Dots cor rectly, although maeny thousand esti- mates were received.
 There being 260 prizes 1t will be plain to see how easy 1t would be for person to file an estimate correct on the last day of the contest.
 Timely suggestions are always accepta- ble and for this reason the following is presented from a cheerful contestant:
 Scotia, Aug. 26. 1902. Problem Editor:
 Dear Sir-You will find enclosed 50 cents to pay for four weeks subscrip- tion for The Advertiser also four esti- mates, for chart No 1 l am in hopes that I have the correct estimate.
 'I think if there is any more Dots you had better give a pair of eye glasses for prize for after this everybody will be blind"
 This is somewhat embarrassing to the Problem Editor. but the suggestion will be filed for future reference when making up the next list of prizes.
 The department will be open daily from & A. m. until D. m. at The Advertisers new building where all estimates should be taken.
 The contest is only started so don't think there is no chance. for there is plenty of room and prizes for all.