davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27
Recreation for the Girls.

of a friendly disposition. Then there
is the compliment trick 'Mademoiselle,
hnow you are pretty. You have the
voice of a pretty woman. Are you
blonde OF brunette?" Starip collectors
are able TO soften the hearts of some
telephone operators. and other people
try the bribing system A friend OF
mine who lives in the EtcHe Quarter.
and consequently has that delightful
Bureau Wagram 10 deal with. conceived
the idea of propitiating the lady whose
lot il was TO minister to his wants in
the telephone line by means Of louis
to be administered on New Year Day.
He is a grave man, the father of a
family. and he did not tell the lady she
must be pretty. but merely asked her
to call. She was pretty. though. and
she did call. and jealous wife met her
at the stairs, and there were ructions.
Talking. by the way. of telephones.
/ should be so grateful for any sug-
gesdOn for teaching people the differ
ence between one bell and another.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27

minutes after more deafening noise.
est tot, mon cheri" "Qui est ce qui
parleg' 'C'est Mini" One prefers 10 be
taken for Minis "cheri' to the suppo-
sition shat one makes bicycle tires. but
Mini soon discovers the mistake. and
she Is not always nice about it. and.
meanwhile the telephone lady. who has
forgotten TO ring one off the line. is
doubtless busy reading her morning
"feuilleton" and wondering what she
will do with the S.O0Of. when she has dis
covered one of the treasures which
an Cnterprising daily paper hides in
the public parks and gardens for the
benefit of its readers.
l know some people who pretend that
they have tanned telephone ladies. and
everyone who has the telephone has
some system by which they fancy they
obtain good results. There are. for in
stance the youthful "abonnees." who
are in the habit Of ringing the changes
in the hope that the operator may be
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27

wonder whether these mysterious
beings whom I am beginning to look
upon as mythical. in spite of repeated
assertions to the contrary. which pur-
port to come from themselves-the sur
veillantes''-are to form part Of the as
ISOLATION in question. Not that it mat
ters very much whether they do or not,
for they could hardly be of less use in
the position which they are supposed TO
fill than they are at present The Sur
viellante." I should explain. is a mys-
FERROUS lady whom one rings up when
one has asked for a number ninety mine
times in vain The operator does not
like the "surveillante" TO be asked for
one can tell that by the tone of her
voice-but that Is the only satisfaction
one gets out of the demand as a rule,
and there is nothing TO prove that the
second female who replies TO you Is the
"surveillante" at all. I don't know what
the telephone arrangements in London
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27

My life is made burden to me by
servants and other persons who can
never be made to distinguish between
a bell which has a low. grating sound.
and one that has shrill tinkle, and
who pass their life rushing to the wrong
telephones, and opening the wrong
doors. and making things generally un-
comfortable. People Of this description
are. I notice, addicted TO humming. and.
needless to say, they hum out Of tune.
They will also persist in talking foreign
languages. which Il something that no.
body who is without an ear should ever
attempt. / have a friend who would be
perfect but for this defect. and whom
call "ventre affame" because of the
absence Of ear 1t is only honest to
say that 1 did not originate this far
cical allusion TO the French proverb.
''ventre affame ma pas d'oreilles." as
this is the sobriquet by which Cleo de
Merode. whose ears are completely
hidden by her '-bandeux," is known to
Parisians.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27

are like. but this is the sort Of thing
that happens here and causes people who
have the telephone continually to wear
a worried look" and be liable to attacks
Of nervous prostration.
You ring your bell. and at the end Of
perhaps five minutes, when your finger
Is beginning 20 ache with pressing the
button. comes an answering tinkles-
"Alloi Allou Give me FIVE hundred and
forty-six. twenty-nine. Five hundred
and forty-six. twenty-five2" No, TWEEN
ty-nine." ''Ah, yes, twenty-three, No,
twenty mine. a four and a Ave" 'Bien.
Tick. tick, tick. a sort OF dull thud, then
n voice. "Allo! Wagram. alio. aIlo.' l
cite Wagram. which is the bureau of
the Etoile quarter. where the i've hun
dreds are and where the operators are
worse fiends than any other in Paris.
After some five or ten minutes waiting
Wagram condescends TO reply, and then
there is the same old business of "a five
and a four" all over again For where
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27

as in London you ask for Five, four.
six, two. nine" which is a very simple
way Of doing things. in Paris you ask
for Five hundred and forty-six, TWEEN
ty-nine." and confusion is the result To
continue my account of the simple OPP
Grafton of talking with somebody across
the telephone. the chances are that you
next hesI a click and then nothing more
of ''Wc-rg-rs.'
Finally ,ou become discourag ed. and,
abandoning all idea of telephoning. put
back the "recepteurs"-I don't know
what you call them in English. Peace
you will at least have. even if you
cannot have the conversation you had
wished for But not bit Of ii. Two
minutes later the air is rent with the
sound of a loud and continuous ring
ing ''Allo, allo, Are you the Maison
Machin for bicycle tires?" No. I'm
not" MATS parbleur' lest une err
reur," You hitch on your handle and
retire. Perhaps you say ''zut." a few
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27

binding and makes II strong enou~h To
defy the winds of heaven and the ele-
ments that may chance to toy with it On
a three-year cruise. which is It's esti-
mated period of usefulness.
Flag Etiquette.
other interesting facts in connection
with American flag etiquette are that
both national and regimental colors are
used I'm the United States Army oy each
regiment Except cavalry. which has on
ly a regimental standard) and o. the
engineer battalion-the national coIors
I'm various sizes. The garrison flag the
largest. is used only at important posIs.
1t is twenty feet on the hoist. with a
fly Of thirty-six feet. the union being
one-t third the length OF the fly and in
depth to the lower edge Of the fourth
red stripe The ordinary post flag is
smaller and the storm flag smaller still.
Regimental Colors
The regimental colors of the United
States Infantry are of blue silk. and
bear in the center the arms of the
United States. Below the eagle is a red
scroll. with the number and name of
the regiment in white. The United
States artillery has scarlet regimentaI
colors. with two cannon crossed in the
center, with ~. s." in yellow above.
and the regimental number below. The
cavalry regimental standard is a seam
less yellow silk. with a four-foot fly
and three feet on the lance. The arms
OF the United States are in blue in the
center, and beneath the eagle red
scroll bears the name and number of
the regiment in yellow. The United
States engineers carry scarlet coIors.
bearing in the center castle with ~.
S" above and Engineers" below, cas-
tie and lettering being in silver. Bat
ties in which the regiments distinguished
themselves were formerly listed on the
colors and standards but are now
shown on the staffs. The national and
regimental colors and standards are
kept at the commanding officers quar-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27

after this course Of treatment, IT con-
tinues to be bunting of distinguishable
color. It is pronounced fit for service.
The material then goes TO the cutting
room. where il Is put on the counter.
and where the foreman OF the flag shop
cuts out the national ensigns. The red
bunting is placed over the white bunt-
ing. and six strips are cut at once yEth
a pair OF formidable, gigantic shears.
He cuts eight different sized ensign
flags. varying I'm length from thirty-six
TO four and one-half feet
The makers Of the United States
flags, which are sewed in straight
seams. usually take their work home.
After the stripes are put together the
flag must be brought TO the cutting
room on the floor of which is diagram
for measurement and il must be per-
feet in every particular. From hem TO
hem on all four sides IT must correspond
exactly with the naiIheads placed on the
floor No apology for imperfection
helps to pass muster. and If II is not
correct to a thread 1t must be made
over. The foreman carves the stars
from bleached muslin with a mallet
and chisel. Twenty yards of cotton
cloth are folded and placed upon the
block. a copper star laid on for a pat
tern and thirty stars are cut at once
time. Three times cutting from the
pattern and the consultations for enc
flag are ready for use.
Position Of the Stars.
Probably no one in the United states
is as familiar with the exact position
occupied by the stellar representatives
Of the forty-five stars in the Union as
the feminine fiagmakers. The star must
be turned down on all of its sides 10 a
size indicated BIZ a pasteboard model
II must then be properly stationed. bass-
ed. hemmed down and then another one
sewed on directly at its back. This IS
an achievement not as simple as IL
looks. When the flag is ready for bind
ing il is passed on TO another AZ art
ment, where a sailor puts on the canvas
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27

cred by its wires includes the greater
portion of the northwestern section of
Washington. north of L Street and west
of North Capitol Street.
1t took two or three weeks to effect
the change in the numbers of telephones
from Main. East or West" as the
case might be. to North Now. how
ever, everything is in good working or
der The new book has been issued
and the big North exchange is working
as merrily as a marriage bell. From
this time on there will be no more trou-
bic with the North telephones.
The system in use at the North ex-
change is of the most improved type.
1t is easier for the girls who work on
the switchboard. easier for the superin-
tendent and other officials. and. above
all. easier for the public.
Working Hours of the Telephone Girl.
The working force of the North ex-
change, exclusive of the employees in
the engine and dynamo rooms. consists
Of thirty-eight regular operators. in ad-
dition to chief operators supervisors.
and one monitor. This force Is divided
into day. evening, and night sections.
The day section is again subdivided into
three sections. The first section Of the
day force works from a. m. TO o. m.
the second from a m. to p. m. and
the third from a. m. TO p. m. The
afternoon force goes on at midday and
works until 8 D. m. The night force
works from 9 p. m. TO a. m. The day
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27

the red and the admiral of the
white" This distinction was abolished
because it was found puzzling in ac-
ton. and was often eliminated. Trafal-
gar. for instance. fought under the white
ensign
The French and Spanish ships went
into action without setting their colors.
but were later Obliged TO hoist them, so
that they could be able TO strike them.
The royal standard of Great Britain is
personal TO the sovereign, and Is used
only by the sovereign, or for decoration
on royal fete days. Ii is quartered, the
first and fourth quarters being red, with
three lions. and representing England;
the second quarter yellow. with a req
lion, for Scotland. and the third quarter
blue. with harp for Ireland.
In the navy a vessel never strikes her
colors except to acknowledge defeat.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27

conversation continues the little red
light shines. When the person who
calls hangs up his receiver again. the
red light disappears. Noting it's disap-
pearance, the operator removes the con-
Meeting tube The advantage of this
system is that f. warns the operator
automatically of the cessation of the
conversation, and relieves her of the
necessity of breaking in and asking the
caller IL he has finished. as is the case
with the system that is in use in the
other exchanges in Washington.
The button system. as used on the
exchange board, is also very convenient
When Main, East or West, calls up
North. for a certain number. one of the
little white buttons on the board, all
of which are numbered, drops low in it's
socket with a buzzing noise. The oper-
ator connects with the number desired
and. as soon as the conversation is
ended the button regains it's normal DO
sition, and the operator disconnects the
two telephones that have been in use.
The Chief Operator.
AS the operators work, their heads in
cased in the harness necessary 70 hold
the appearance of football players
bound up I'm head and ear guards. the
chief operator and the monitor run
backward and forward, supervising the
work and answering a hundred and one
different questions Up and down the
floor they hustle. stopping now with
one girl. now with another. During the
busy hours of the morning and early
afternoon they never rest but are con-
nearby are the information operator
and the trouble operator II one de-
sires any Information with regard TO
the telephone number Of person whose
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27

good-looking young women the reporter
for the The Sunday Times saw ranged
along the switchboard of the North ex-
change a few mornings since were an
extremely busy lot. Moreover. they APP
peared good-tempered. and not at all i'm
cIined to deal harshIy with the sub
scriber who calls for a number. The
reporter spent a great deal of time in
trying to learn. from that end of the
line. the secret of how to deal with the
telephone girl I'm order to get the best
result when one is in a hurry to get
an answer to his call. His efforts fail
ed 20 inform him as to which OF the
policies often advised Is TIE safest to
follow. Some say one must MAKE himself
humble soft-voIced and supplicating
when dealing with the telephone girl.
Others advise the harsh and abrupt
style. Others. still. advocate frequent
communication with the chief operator
The best idea the reporter could get Of
the ways and means was that the COM
munications with the telephone girl
should be made in the shortes. and
most business-nke manner possible. Do
this and trust in Providence for the out
come.
How the North Exchange Works.
When a person whose telephone is in
the territory of the North exchange de-
sires 20 call a number. he removes the
receiver of his telephone from the
holder Immediately there appears
above bis number on the North switch
board n little red light. When this
catches the eye of the operator she in
serts the plug in the corresponding
socket and calls. Number. please.
When she learns what number ~ want
ed. she connects the two. and the con-
versation may begin. AS long as the
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27

force is composed of twenty-six opera
tors. one chief operator. two supervisors.
and one monitor. The afternoon force
is composed of one chief operator. one
supervisor, and eight operators. and the
night force one chief operator and four
operators.
AS the visitor enters the large and
well-lighted operating room of the North
exchange. the first thing that strikes
his eye Is the long switchboard. extend
ing nearly the full length of the room,
AT which are seated the operators. A
constant hum and buzz of voices comes
from the switchboard. accompanied by
the click of the metallic ends OF the
connecting plugs. as they are inserted
in the holes of the board. Every girl
has an allotted space at the switchboard.
and a series of numbers to look out for.
There are two sections of the switch
board. one for receiving calls from tele-
phones on the North exchange. and the
other for receiving calls from the other
exchanges On the call board what Is
known as the lamp system is in use,
while on the exchange board the but
tom system is employed. The girls are
perched on stools drawn up in long
/ line in front of the switchboard. There
| is a shelf running the length of the
switchboard. which holds the connect
/ ing plugs.
when on duty during the day the girls
are always busy. They have little time
/ to talk TO one another. so close must be
their attention to the board in front
Of them The long-sufrering subscrib-
/ er may be inclined TO doubt this state
ment. and willing to cite numerous per-
sonal experiences in support OF his
/ skepticism Nevertheless and notwith-
standing. the crowd of exceptionally
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27
C(T ELLO. Central Gimme Main
= u What number do you
want?"

L Il what number do you
want?"
Main Bill"
"Oh. that number is changed"
Changed to what?"
wait a minute"
Say. Central. hurry I'D. I want
John Jones. 3711.''
His number is North III"
A short pause Profanity at one end
OF the line. Patient WEAKNESS at the
other
Violent ringing at the telephone
Look here. Central. this service is
awful 1 want John Jones. Main s711.
Why can't you get him for meg'
His number is in the new North
exchange now and is changed, told
you"
Il know you told me that. but 1
haven't got him yet
Any washingtonian will recognize
himself here. The new North exchange
which was recently put into use by the
Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone
Company caused unlimited profanity
and endangered nervous prostration to
number of telephone girls before it
got into smooth working order. Now
that it is I'm full operation It is the best
telephone exchange in the city It has
its home in a handsome new building
on the corner of Fourteenth and r
Streets northwest, and the territory COW
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27
THE TELEPHONE AND THE TELEPHONE GIRLS OF THE CITY OF PARIS

A PARIS correspondent writes as
IA follows: The Figaro recently
\ announced a piece of news
which ought to give Parisians
ideas NJ. Combes has just received the
declaration of new syndicate. that of
the Association OF the Danes Employees
des France ct des Colonies. We gods
and little fishes! What is to become OF
us IL the telephone ladies find in this
new union fresh strength? They already
appear to be in continual need of dis
cussing weighty matters among them
selves; what. then. viii It be in the
future when they have the affairs of
their association to discuss? They are
already absolutely Indifferent to the
needs Of the unfortunate "abonne," who
pays four hundred francs a year for the
privilege Of being houted by them; what
VIII they be when they feel themselves
sustained one by the other2
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27

name is not in the book. or If some
thing has gone wrong with his tele-
phone, or ne has a kick" he is re-
ferred to one of these. On their desks
are the books containing any Informal
ton concerning the telephone company
that one may desire. When a new sub
scriber is added, his name is immedi-
ately put down in a special book, and
If it has not been puS in the regular
telephone book, issued to subscribers
every month. a short chat with the in
formation operator will put the in
quirer into possession of the desired
number.
Recreation for the Girls.
The very best care is taken of the
operators at the North exchange. They
are on duty nine hours. but have half
an hour for lunch and an hour for recre-
alton. so that they are at work only
seven hours and a half. On the floor
below the operating room are the lunch
rooms. the reading rooms, the locker
room and a small room containing
lounges and easy chairs for use in cases
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27

flag. The Secretary Of the Navy flies a
blue flag with four white stars. an an
Choir and cable. the Assistant Secretary
reversing the colors. The President s
flae Is blue. with the arms Of the United
States. the eagle, and stars white. the
shield preserving the ''tinctures.
An Important Work.
To make a flag for Uncle Sans navy
is an achievement OF no mean impor-
lance 1t embodies the placing of a
certain number of stitches 20 the inch.
and perfect uniformity in every par
ticular. There is a sewing bee at the
Brooklyn navy yard. and Uncle Sam
employs almost two dozen women all
the year around. and I'm a large apart
ment. in which the air is surcharged
with patriotism. the stars and stripes
Of the United States navy come into
being. The work is done under the
eagle eve OF a foreman of the depart
n1ent. and once q week the command
ant makes a tour Of inspection. and no
imperfect stitch escapes detection The
women are paid by the yard for their
labor on flags with plain seams. but on
many OF the alleged artistic creations
for which other countries are response
bic the workers are paid according 10
time. In addition to the complement Of
United States flags supplied to every
ship in our navy. there are also made
the flags Of every country TO which
navigation extends. Foreign flags are
ambitious in design and variegated in
hue. The smaller and more insignificant
the nation. the more startling the flag.
Uncle Sans largest flag consumes just
one week in manufacture.
Process of Manufacture.
The bunting used in these flags comes
from Lowell, Mass, and the supply is
laid I'm twice year. Each piece is sub
jocted 10 the most severe test. IL must
weigh FIVE pounds 10 every forty yards.
and must stand the weight test OF sew
enty pounds 10 two square inches. II IL
STEPPED In salt water six hours. IL.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27

thema W a n your
be do
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-05-24
!. Dresser. Davis. Shields

Mcdonald Pope, Dresser. Davis. Shields
and Wilkinson.
About thirty children OF the city re-
ceived their first holy communion at the
Catholic church Thursday morning.
Wednesday evening Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles p Shields entertained very in
formally at their home on Marsac ave
and Mrs A ]. Drake, Miss May Shields
and II. A. Malone.
Miss Elizabeth Lanning returned home
from the city Monday morning
Mr.. and Mrs. William Sutton enter
talned al cards Thursday evening and
very enjoyable time was had by all pres
ent.
Mrs. Lee and her two sons were pas
sengerS to the Park Tuesday.
The event Of the week was the after
noon luncheon given by Mrs H D. Hurl-
but Thursday afternoon a Il her home. The
afternoon was spent in cards and the
prize winners were: First prize Mrs
prize. Mrs. Sutton The room was very
artistically decorated with carnations and
ferns. Those present were the Misses vii
son, kimball, Lambert. Townsend Hurl-
but. Getch, KeScei, Brundage. BaiIee,
TOwey and Sutton; the Mesdames Tewn-
send, Lecompt, Blocher. Kescel. McPher-
son. DOnahue, LOckhart, Hubbard. Arm
Carly. Weeter. Warde, EsSylstynes SUIT
ton, ToWey, Shields, Fargo. Sherman.
Lean, Boyd, Buck. Middcrn, Bird Wright,
Beckworth. Thompson, Hunt and Wilson.
Professor H. B. Younger gave his usual
Tuesday evening social and it was largely
attended.
Mrs Lizzie KneaIe was a passenger over
the Ogden train Sunday morning.
James Kescel and son left for Nevada
Wednesday.