Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-03-06
The Ubiquitous Telegraph
Messenger and His Work

When the telegraph messenger, hur-
yng In answer to a city call, found
this mistress of the mansion marooncd
ana trembling on top Of the dining
room table, he valiantly engaged her
assailAnt in single combat and
straibhtway slew him, carrying off the
mouse triumphantly by It's tail He
collected his fee from the grateful
princess and returned TO the telegraph
office convinced that there was no
life to be compared with that of the
messenger boy When, late in the
day, he pushed his wheel five miles
through mud. rain ana dark to deliv-
,r death message in the suburbs of
the city, he was not so sure about the
desirability Of his job.
These are but two incidents in the
varied life of q telegraph messenger
Ia HE which calls into play whatever
stock he has of tact, quickness, persc-
Nerance. courtesy honesty. pluck. IN
deed all the qualities the ownership Of
which spells Success" for any boy or
man.
Is this life Of the telegraph messen-
Ger q desirable 0ncr Is il a school In
which he is to be made or married d?
These are important questions for
many parents for there are thousands
OF lads thus employed and the messen-
ser school Is turning uut hundreds Of
graduates every year
There has been some prejudice I'M
the past against this form OF employ
ment due TO a misapprehension as to
the character and conditions of their
work On the other hand, in the past
few years the newspapers have found
worth printing the multiplying in
stances sometimes amusing, some
times sravc--whcre these boys have
been called upon to perform euriuusly
unique services ana other services OF
trust and responsibility, IN all OF which
they have rendered good account of
themselves. The fact Is that In all
walks of business life, and particularly
IN the telegraph business the ranks are
fun of men, even IN positions Of the
highest responsibility, who began their
careers as messenger boys Distin-
guishcd and well known examples are
Andrew Carnegie and Thomas A. Edi-
son.
The telegraph companies point to-
the opportunity which this employ
mont offers to the opportunities
10 show the stuff they are made Of
and opportunity to secure by merit
better employment. for they constantly
come in contact with employers ON the
lookout for bright boys. The tele-
graph companies are often asked toI
supply messengers to fin temporarily
the places of unskllled employees away
on vacations, ana to perform services
on special occasions In their daily
duties the boys are brought into per-
sonal contact with business and pro-
feSsional men. and when these men
nave permanent positions to fill they
frequently pick messengers who have
come under their observation or ask
the telegraph manager to recommend
bright boys. Indeed the telegraph
companies complain that II Is impos-
sible to keep for any length of time
thelr best boys. for these are quickly
taken from them.
Thus there is no doubt about the
opportunity, Now what about the
training? The telegraph companies
are employing boys and young men
to do work that the community must
have done. only active. strong youths
are ut for the Service. Can II fail to
be good for such boys To be thus EN-
gaged-earning an honest living. exer-
eising their buoyant brains and mus
Giles In the active world of affairs and |
Iaining practical education such as
Few occupations open 10 theme
What are they learning They are
learning that honesty. industry, cour- |
axe. energy ard rosoureefulness are
necessary qualities for success: they
are learning independence and thet