Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1908-04-02

and observer. +.
1t is surprising, indeed to think that
a city the size OF Raleigh, with all of
ing and a population Of %, 0OO, or more,
should so ridicule the "ealling by num-
ber' for any connection over the
phone, hen the people Of this little
town with its population Of about TO-
900, and only 500 phones, seldom ever
think of using their phones unless
they do call by number. They realize
what it means to the operator. When
they think that calling by name means
a taxation on the brain of 500 different
NUN bers, the subscribers readily I'M
derstand that in an ~up-to-date ex-
char ge there are change constantly
being made, phones being installed,
party lines, duplex lines, and special
lines, with new phone numbers being
added, and SO forth, making it almost
an impossibility for the operator to
nlemorize and retain them all in her
much added brain.
Did it ever occur to the writer of
YlsOAoO8 ShNb ~
nesrer being perpetual motion than
any other person On earth, for while
she is so sweetly saying number
please: she is putting up and taking
down connections as fast as her MINI
bic fingers can fly? Did he ever stop
10 think what it means to put up and
la down from $50 to 200 connections
per hour, and try to answer all ques-
lions in q polite Did he ever
stop to bin that the telephone opera
tors are the only people who are forced
to work 375 days in the year, 8 IL
hours to the day, the sabbath day in
elude ed, giving the tired. worn-out girls
not even a Sabbath to rest, nor a day
to worship their Creator?
On the other hand, does the writer
know that more is expected OF cen
tral' than any other person in a like
position? 1T there is a fire, the ques-
lions come thick and fast. "Where's
the fire, Central?" If q subscribers
clock 7tn,s. it's "What time is it, Cen
tral7'' ri it's a train one wants to catch.
it's What time is so due here, Cen
sraI?" II there is a funeral, it's who's
dead. Central?" If the markets. closed,
ir's Central, would you mind asking
the market in the morning to send me
three pounds of steak in timetor break
fast.'' Ii one wants to be called in the
swee sna' hours'' from his or her warm,
dreamy Stun Der, it's Central 3-9-4 al
3 a. m.,"in demanding tones.
All these and a thousand other re-
quests are made of Central, and in try
ing to grant them all, she is consuming
her time from the duties that are re
quired Of her, yet she has tried hard t.
do each subscribers bidding, only t.
receive an unkind rebuke from som
one when she is an instant or two lat
in saying, Number, please
Again, does he know who it is dur
Jag the long hours OF the silent nigh
watches over him, and like a guardian
an gel, protects him and his interest
lille he is swretly resting in the arm
of Morpheus? Who is it when on
loved ones are taken ill in the dea
hours of night that speedily hasten
H0u1C6 Ella ~ AAOAA ~
il it, when an awful crime is committed
helps our w~ideawake police force
capture the fleeing criminal? Who
it. when there is a wreck on the roat
that sits with trembling fingers on TT
keys of the switchboard, straining ever
nerve and muscle in her body to try
reach q certain point at a certain tin
4.I1 49, oo,Iuofor of froin nnno h
SO and so to hold his train on accoul
of a wreck at this end of road Tan Il
stance of this lind occurred here Sc
eral months ago.. Is it not Centre
first, last, always, who is ever ready
aid in any emergency?
Would it not have been wise on. t.
part of the party calling Mr.. lone
office to have informed 9 900 just viii
MIR. Jones' office he desired, and e1I
dated the service that much, and pc
sibly not have gotten the wrong N
Jones. Often a subscriber will sa
s.central give me Mrs. Smiths re
dence. I mean the one who used to Ii
back Of the Presbyterian church, h
w no moved over on Broad street Ii
week" While all this is being said
board is likely Illuminated with a SCI
or more OF calls, which should hs
been answered. while the operator
trying to find out just which Mrs. SIN
is wanted, the result ofwhich she SAL
feels when she zoe in on b line q
gets in her ear, Central, Ididn't
rou tor that Mrs. Smith, o gave
the wrong one." In themeantlme,