Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-17
EtrPutug Glrat

iathef difhcult job at any uiho
ana some one once compared the
atNeTage t life of a manager of a utility
10 that of doctor when a smallpox
epldemlc was on in the next county
ana people We're either demanding
TO De Vaccinated or asking why they
should. Health officers in this COM
uuhlty and connected with the
state administration say that the
most valuable aid in sanitary and
quarantine matters is publicity. The
abrupt change in policy of the big
railroads in this state a few wears
ago when information about wrecks
ana other matters was furnished
newspapers some times before they
asked Tor 1T, and facts handed out =
without restriction as to use. was
one or the signs of the times and
there are many active in affairs to-
uay VINO recall when it used to be
necessary to go to a railroad Office
armed with a crowbar to pry out
news about a mishap, In the stress
OF war traffic this policy has meant
much to the railroads because the
puDllc seems to feel that when a
railroad man says he does not know
where shipment may be or when
train will be in, he is telling the
truth and 1t may be said that the
ieellng toward the transportation
INES in this section, at least, began
to be different when publicity was
no longer ducked but utilized. Per-
haps the utility which makes the
greatest use of publicity is the Bell
telephone system and the speed with
which information is furnished is
startling when one recalls other
days. The average man starts to
make a kick on telephone service
with fire in his eye and dynamite in
his voice, but when he is, met with
facts and the situation explained. he
cools rapidly. Frank admissions by
Harrisburg railways officials last
week during the storm that service
In some sections was uncertain, won
considerable commentator because
people knew what they were up
against and pretty nearly everyone
realized after calling up that bliz-
zard at holiday season meant inter
ruptions that required patience all
around. Away back last summer the
traction officials informed the public
that they had ordered more cars and
would put them into service as soon
as received, giving the warning that
manufacturers had troubles of their
own to turn out rolling stock and
that While the company wanted to
do a number of things to improve
service it had to meet war conditions
not only in cars, supplies, coal and
other things, but in hauling work
men to their homes. Coal men are
just commencing to realize what
are purveyors of food in various
forms. Men long connected with
public utilities in this community,
declare that experience has demon
strated that printing ink and facts
are the best means with which to do
business in Harrisburg.
In this connection it is interest
ing to note that the railroads in their
curtailment of train service are COM
mencing to throw more and more
of it to the trolley lines. The Har-
risburg and Valley Railways systems
now run special cars for railroad
men employed in shops and yards.
These cars have replaced to a GER
tain extent, and probably will do
more, certain work trains which
have been operated for years and
have rejoiced in such names as
Bull Moose Express" Smokers
Limited" and "Yardmen's Roost."
The severe weather that swept
over this state this month, closing
the Susquehanna earlier than known
for a quarter of century and caus-
ing a demand for fuel that is appall-
ing, is keeping some people stepping
to recall. In December, 1914, thera
was real winter that came early and
it stayed late, while in February.
1912, the mercury went to unheard
of depths of depravity. Yet when
records are compared this com
munity does not suffer as much as
other cities which are less advan-
tageously located and whose people
often say things about the heat of
Harrisburg in the good old summer
time. The sheltering Blue Ridge is
as much a benefit to Harrisburg in
midwinter as in August days, when
it shuts off thunderstorms.
Speaking about winter it was only
ten days ago that young trout were
put into streams within ten miles of
Harrisburg. The fish were stockfish
from a state hatchery and the ship
ment was looked after by some
sportsmen. The trout being of fair
size are expected to furnish some
good sport in the spring, but it does
seem odd that fish can be planted
after Thanksgiving Day. Fishermen
have been busy lately looking up the
new code which it is expected will
make material differences in some
fishing plans.
Some idea of the work quietly
done at the Harrisburg Public Lii
brary as a war service may be gain
ed from the mere statement that
over $4,000 books were assembled
there and sent to camps. And in ad
dition hundreds of magazines were
gathered and forwarded. This has
been q heavy strain, but it is war
service given as cheerfully as tina
of the women in the Red Cross and
other branches.
1T is rather surprising the mum
ber of sleds we are being asked fol
this holiday season." said mar
connected with one of the big de-
partment stores. People are no
buying expensive toys, but they are
buying those which have what we
call go to them. Perhaps the wealth
er has stimulated the sled sales"