davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-11
Issued Daily, Except
Sundays. Entered at the
Post Office, Ell Centre.
Calf, as Second Class
Matter.

scientific world has lost one of its great
est leaders, and California one of its
most distinguished citizens.
The work of the scientist is seldom
spectacular. 1t is carried on mostly
through long hours of study and observa-
ton, either alone or with limited num-
Der Of assistants.
There is no glare of publicity attend
ing the work. 1t is devoid of the hula
baloo which accompanies so many other
lines of endeavor.
And when an important discovery has
been accomplished the rewards are mea-
ger compared with those accorded for
other activities. A medal, bit of parch-
ment, and perhaps small amount of
money are the reward of the scientist as
far as the rest of the world is concerned.
1t is often entirely unaware of the bene-
fits which the labor of scientist has be-
slowed upon it.
1t was so with DR.. Nicholson, to great
degree. Measuring the speed of light
was wonderful achievement, which
first brought him into renown. It's use
fulness is difficult for the layman to un-
derstand. But the latter can probably
better appreciate the invention of range
finder perfected by DR.. Nicholson as his
contribution to the success of the navy's
operations during the World War.
The death of the great physicist is
distinct loss to the scientific world, where
his passing will be most keenly felt. In
the lay world we know that truly great
man has gone.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30
new DEVICES
FIND BREAKS

The accuracy with which breaks.
shorts and grounds are located on
telephone wires Is a mystery to the
layman and the never-endinR cause
Of curiosity. IL is hard to under
stand how a man In the central
Office can determine just what the
trouble Is and locate ii 10 the pole.
However, these things are possible
through certain instruments located
on the test board. II is the work
OF only a few moments to deter
mine whether the line is broken.
whether II Is on the ground. or
whether 1t Is crossed with another
line. This work Is too technical for
the outsider, but It never fails to
arouSe his curiosity.
These measuring instruments are
provided for two test boards. n
for local phones and the other for
long distance circuits. Accuracy Is
espec v essential in locating
trouble in cables. This must be
located exactly before the cable Is
opened. because this Is a long ex-
pensive Job.
On tong distance circuits. trouble
is frequently located to the exact
pole
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30
new BUILDING
HAS COMFORTS

The comfort of the telephone
employees was foremost in the
minds Of those who planned the
new building for that company and
It is especially noted in the cool
and pleasant room which has been
furnished for the girls convenience
during relief hours and before work
In the morning.
it Is located on the second floor
and entrance Is gained by passing
through a hall. ON one side or which
IS a row OF lockers put there for
The wraps and belongings of the
employees.
A beautiful living room suite
several low end tables. well placed
pictures and a mirror complete the
furnishings OF the room "A canary
in an orange bird cage adds a
homelike atmosphere and the girls
are planning on having a bowl of
gold fish IN the near future.
Social affairs OF the Telco club
will be held in this room also.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30

Resident OF the Valley since 1925
when he came TO Edinburg as
manager or the phone exchange at
the Hidalgo county capital, H. H.
Mockbee. shown above. has been In
Brownsville since April q. 1929. ard
during his years Of residence In this
city has shown the same active in
terest III civic affairs that has
characterized the man since he
came TO the Valley.
"A member or the Brownsville Ro-
tary club. Mockbee has always been
keenly interested In the work OF
the Boy Scout council Of the VAL
ley. and Is now serving as vice
president after having spent sew
eral years as chairman or scout
activities.
He Is also a member or the con-
ventions and entertainment COM
mittee or the Brownsville Cham
Of Commerce and Is one man who
Is always called upon when any
matter OF civic importance Is be-
ing considered.
Mockbee entered the telephone
business IN 1918 az the age or Is
soon becoming a group manager Of
five exchanges In Arkansas. I'm 1925
he came to Edinburg, and II was
through his efficient work that the
Edinburg exchange rapidly increas-
ed Its business until 10 became nee
essary to erect a new building and
install new equipment.
Change from the old to the new
system i'm Brownsville was effected
under the efficient supervision or
the Brownsville manager I'm such
a that no interruption OF
service was experienced.
Among his interesting expert
ences In the Valley Mockbee Is proud
or the fact that he personally
strung the first telephone lines to
enter the towns on EdcCurh and
Elsa In Hidalgo County,
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30
UM-UM-UM-SHE LIKES
TO TAKE "A WALK

BIRMINGHAM. Ala. July 3d.
While ordinary mortaIs talk about
taking a walk around the. block,
Mrs. j. G. Roth talks about walk
ing 10 New York or Los Angeles
from Montreal.
Mrs. Roth just finished a walk
ing tour that has taken her more
than 1900 miles. she and her 49,
year-oid son. Vessel. have trudged
across very state in the union. lost
Themselves in the Painted desert Of
Arizona. wandered through the Can
adam Rockies. out-stared n man
eating bear. and shaken hands with
presidents.
She's back here now. but she's
already started packing for a tour
Of her native state.
And were going to walk all the
way she says. mo hitchhiking foz
us. We wouldn't dare ride for fear
OF missing something along the
roads"
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30
CALLS
ARE NUMBERED
More Connections Are Made
During Early Morning
Business Hours

Let the peak load come-the chief
operator will be ready.
In fact she probably knows more
about the peak than the peak knows
about itself.
The new Stromberg-Ca-lson
switchboard installed in the Browns
vile exchange has an automatic
counter which registers the exact
number OF calls handled by each
operator for any given time.
BY watching these figures close
Iy and plotting them. the chief
operator knows just when the heavy
load Is coming and she has opera
tors On hand for the emergency.
Figures show the peak comes IN
the morning when the business
world begins meshing gears for a
day Of work. Between 9 10 III a. IN.
the lights flicker on and off on the
switchboard with great regularity.
And the little automatic counter
at the end OF the board records the
exact number Of calls handled by
each operator.
Recently one girl handled All calls
In an hour. This Is an average Of
almost n call for each nine
seconds.
Although this Is an unusual case.
1t shows the efficiency with which
calls can be handled on the modern
switchboard.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30
INSTALLATION
Is BIG TASK
Four Months Required To
Prepare New Plant
For Service

You folks who think moving Is
a chore. think this over.
It took a gang Of expert work
men exactly five months 70 install
the equipment In the new Browns
vile home OF the Rio Grande Valley
Telephone Co, and Manager +. f..
Mockbee Is authority for the state
ment that excellent time was made.
When you visit the new home
Friday ask to see all the wires that
had 10 be adjusted by hand, then
you will understand why the install
lation Of phone equipment Is Just n
title more arduous a task than the
placing Of the dining room set In
the new home.
Installation Of The new equip
ment was directed by w. q. F1tz-
patrick. about whom additional in
formation may be found elsewhere
In this section.
Assisting Mr.. Fitzpatrick were G.
X. Fitzgerald and r.. 4. Frisby. as
sistant installer and the following
AAA1t4AALAo4 La W. LA2A kNAr = 49,
Frisy. O. q. Bolger, r.. White, G..
Cottingham and K. Stumpf.
How well their work was done
may be seen from the relatively
few complaints registered with the
company when the exchange was
cut over from the old % the new
Conveniently placed on the ground
An innovation which is q feature
Of the Brownsville exchange is sure
10 meet the approval OF travelling
statesmen and others who have oc-
casion to use the telephone In the
solicitation of business.
Convniently placed ON the ground
floor OF tic new building Is a
customers room which. may be
closed. affording complete privacy.
while the Isl canvasses his custom
ers By long distance phone.
Electric fans keep the customers
room COO. while 4 ventilator ar
rangement assures fresh air at all
times.
A desk and chairs CT the most
comfortable type are placed In the
room to afford the utmost facility
TO the phone user.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30
ARRESTS WHOLE TOWN

PRAGUE. July 30-When lads in
the Czecho- Slovakian town OF Len
OAK decided to go ON a spree. they
do things up right. On one recent
Saturday night they staged a big
party. Results yer that 20 persons
we're injured. much property was
damaged. and two income tax COL
lectors were put In a pond. The en-
tire town was arrested. including
some Of the police department. Lo-
cal police and others from neigh
boring towns we're called in to ar
rest the drunken mob.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30

Iineman instructions where 20 find
the trouble.
Ducks Cause Trouble
In the vicinity OF Corpus Christi
where the telephone skirts the gulf.
the wires were frequently crossed
up by ducks flying into the wires
and hanging themselves.
A green llneman was brought in
to Corpus Christi from upstate.
Early one morning trouble was
found ON the long distance circuits.
The lLncman stood over the test
board mans shoulder as he placed
his instruments ON the damaged
circuit. After meticulously cycling
the various instruments, he turned
to the newcomer and said IN a SOL
emn tone: My WheatStone reading
shows there Is a duck IN the line
at Pole No. 1884,"
The lineman clambered into his
chr and drove 10 the pole. not once
looking up at the line until ne had
reached that pole. He glanced up
ward and saw a duck IN the wires.
III AAACLl1hI Ma AklillEf~cEAN Hi
pressed and swore by the dashboard
mans ability from then on.
OveralIs Impressive
Another incident somewhat sim
liar happened In San Antonio. Com
ing To work In the early morning
hours. the testbcard man saw a
pair OF overalls hanging In the toll
lead.
With the lineman watching him.
he took his readings at the tele-
phone office. There's a pair OF over
ais IN the lead ? IL miles from
the junction POLE he told the line
man. And BY the way" he added.
taking another glance nc his in
Struments. they're blue overall"
The rookie Scoffed at the idea,
but went where he was told.
Later he came back In after clear
ing the trouble.
II know how you located that
trouble he told the dashboard man,
hut how could you tell the over
ais were blue?r
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30

All power controls In the new
telephone exch. &c here are CEN
tralized on n panel. making II pos
sible for one man TO handle all cur
rent coming into and leaving the
building with a few def manipula-
tons on the board.
All current can be readily checked
on this board also. IL is supplied
with volunteer and ampmeter which
can be readily applied to the various
sources of electricity.
The mercury arc rectifier used IN
charging batteries Is controlled on
this panel also.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30
IS
AMONG BEST
over VALLEY
Modern C~onveniences
Maintain Health
OF Employees

New home or the Brownsville tele-
phone exchange which will be
formally opened Friday afternoon
and evening. Is one OF the most at
tractive Of the many attractive
buildings this company has erected
In the various Valley communities
which It serves.
Located at 7O1 Washington st..
corner OF 7th. the structure IS an
imposing two stories in height con-
structed Of brick.
Ample Space.
With n 40 1T. front and extending
rs feet along 7th St. the building
affords ample space for the present
and future needs OF the company.
Metal sashes have been provided
for all windows, every window III
the building Is plate glass, and
there are 80 windows.
Entering the building. one walks
into the office OF Manager II. r..
Mockbee, whose desk Is thanked by
the desks OF the cashier and the
assistant cashier Of the company.
Adjacent are two long distance
phone booths and the customers
room which presents an innovation
IN telephone Accommodations In the
Valley.
Terminal Room.
Going to the rear OF the building.
still on the ground floor. we enter
the terminal room, In which are
housed the main frames and super
structures .
In this room are found all incom-
ing and outgoing cables. all Of which
r distributed TO the switchboard.
Off the terminal room is the bat
te-y room. while 10 the rear we
find the testing board, the equip
ment by which the company Is able
to hook up the local radio station
with the national networks, and
other pieces Of paraphernalia.
Going upstairs we enter the room
in which the switchboard IS located.
taking up the entire southeast side
OF the IS foot long building. Here
we see the switchboard in opera
ton. the girls making phone con-
nections. while at their backs are
located the desks OF information.
supervisors and the chief operator
Locker Room.
On the other side OF the building
we find the girls rest and lounging
room. lavatory and locker room.
The building Is fitted throughout
with sound proof material on the
floors.
Running ice water circulates In all
departments.
Every possible convenience look
ing to the good health and efficiency
Of the employees has been provided.
as those who visit the new home on
Friday will be convinced.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30

BIRMINGHAM. July 30 With
the coming OF hot weather and the
opening Of swimming pools. the old
question as to whethc- it Is not
immoral for girls to 20 sans stoc'--
ings TO bathing beaches. in street
cars and at clubs. has been ans
wered negatively and affirmatively
by Mrs. Willie H. Tarpley, president
OF the Business and Professional
Women's club. "A girl Is Just as
pure and sweet with bare legs as
she Is wearing stockings hut not
just as preKyi" she sums up the
situation.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30
Ringing
System Installed

Under the system of miNnmatin|
ringing installed in the BrdnrnsVliu
telephone exchange. an number will
ring one and IN half -ecnnds cut WI
each four and m half from tho mol
ment 10 is plugged TN until IN N
answered cr the first party hangs
mp the receiver.
The machine which does this au1
tomato ringing operates off citVl
power. However there y a spari
machine available which operates
of the company's bank OF b~atteriea
ln case the city power should fail
Another ringer y used for short
haul long distance and rural NUM-
bers. There also IN a spare machine
0t This typn which cam be operated
of the ccmpany's batteries.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30
Beautify Grounds

Not only Is the new building OF
the Brownsville exchange or the
Rio Grande Valley Telephone Co.
a credit to the city or Brownsville.
but the company Is setting an ad-
mlrable example To the city In the
manner tn which II has HANDICAPPED
the grounds surrounding the build
ing
A beautiful lawn. thanked BY
Shrubbery placed In artistic design,
adds considerable to the attrac-
tiveness OF the building and attracts
attention to the entire ensemble.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30

The Brownsville telephone ex-
change IS equipped with an eight
party harmonic converter system
for use in ringing.
Through use of this converter
any one OF eight parties on a line
can be buzzed without the other
seven telephones ringing.
Each Of the eight ringers oper-
ates on a different frequency. This
selective ringing o-erates much
the same as radio. Each or the
eight ringers r tuned in at a
different frequency.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30
Telephone Poles
Taken From Streets

Elimination Of all telephone poles
from the main streets OF the city
Is its way of helping 10 make
Brownsville present the appearance
Of a modern and up-to-date city.
Mgr. f. z. Mockbee explains.
Many OF the poles have been NOV
ed to alleys in the business Sec
tons. and some parts Of that section
are now being served BY under
ground conduits, the manager ex-
planned.
Poles which remain on the
streets OF the business section are
being removed to the alley or the
wires placed in the underground
conduits as rapidly as possible,
Mockbee stated.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30

PORTLAND. Ore. July 'V-This
city has a cleptomanlc whose passion
rs W run away with ladders Hc rp-
Gently visited Clyde Osborne. nnmde
Off with hls ladder and left thFW IA
note saying that he BORROWED
ladder fDr several days. But CHbd
hasn't Rad his ladder returned 80
and hn hmS warned thn city tpAput
padiocks ca Is aids 10 climbing
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30

~CRANSTON. r.. III July So A
witness was on the stand before
Justice Louis Dunn In an auto ac-
cident suit. Did you se the auto
coming down the street, the JUS
tice asked mo. SIR" replied the
witness. Did you see the other auto
ccming?- Justice Gum inquired.
mo sir" replied the witness. Then
why are you here2r Justice Dunn
demanded ITO see justice done"
was the answer. Who. me2r asked
Justice Dunn. NO. sir the witness
replied. He was released.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30

LONDON. July 30.-Twins born
IN England recently we're delivered
ON two different days and I'm diff
ferent counties. Mrs. c. I'D. Puris
gave birth to the first twin. a girl.
at New Harrington. Durham
county. Her condition was so crit
teal that she was removed t0 ~
hospital in Northumberland county.
IA miles away. The following day
she gave birth to a son
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30

LONDON. July 30-Latest fig
ures ON the British Army shows
that IS composed or 1878 Eng
lishmen. 1858 Welshmen. 1925
Scc.chmen. 8.843 Irishmen, 1,535
Colonials and 167 Britons born I'm
foreign countries. or this lot 49,
600 are members of the Church OF
England. 22.5O0 are Catholics. 49,
600 Presbyterians. 1919 Meth0distz,
6.900 Wesleyans, and 123 Jews.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30

LONDON. July 3O-A dog was
caught In a gate in Horn Park Ter
race. Plymouth. Several civilians
tried un~succesSfully to release the
animal. Three policemen were call
ed and with a crowbar and other
instruments they endeavored to
free the dog. Just as they were
ready TO give up. a cat ran tn
front Of tho dog. With a convulsive
wriggle. the canine lcaped out Of
the gate and gave chase to the cat.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30

Ell PASO. July 30.-Judge Frank
Murphy granted a divorce to Frank
Murphy, and now Kate Murphy, his
former wife, wants Frank to come
back TO live with her-but not as
her husband. She explained that
she wanted Murphy TO car for
their two children In her own home
and cut down expenses. II was
charged at the divorce trial that
Murphy had two previous wives
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30

A four-car garage and storare|
room tn the rear Of the new ph0nF|
building on the alley line enables
the company t0 devote alI ur thn|
main building To It's operations
none of tine space in line main str1c-
ture being needed for storage space
Two trouble trucks are operated
Ivy the company at the present time
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30

LONDON. July 30-If YOU cam
read the following. YOU can under1
stand Angie. the new simplified|
English language now being tested
IL an attempt 70 popularize X in|
the world. The long rekoRniezed
need for an International auRxii =
very lanETw1j LIN bekuminT inkrnes-
ingly and extrprdinerily urien.|
under preShur Of the growth 0f in1
transitional relaesh0nx. kokurs. and
travl. and such pourfu1 nue forsHz|
as raedio braudkaasting and tauk-
ing piktuerz.r
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30
Trouble Finders
Miracle Men

Humorous incidents between vet
eran dashboard men and green line
men make favorite stories in tele-
phone circles.
Nothing pleases the veteran trou-
bic locator more than TO perform
some miracle for the green line
mans benefit.
The testb0ard man locates the
breaks in the wire with equipment
in the central office and gives the
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30

One Of the funniest city ordinances
in the history or this town has been
passed II DEGREES that all men over
the age OF II must 90 unshaven
from July rs until August ~. the
date OF the annual southwest
Washington pioneers picnic. The
Law provides fines and impris0n-
ment penalties for violation.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-07-30
VOICES MUST
Be PLEASING
Quick Wit and Fingers
Among Requirements
For Operators

A telephone operator must be
uuick-witted and nimble fingered.
but first OF all she must possess a
pleasing voice.
Her number please Is her only
connection with the public. so con-
seuuently she must possess a pleas
ing voice which carries well in tele-
phone conversation.
Rigid Tests.
The company has a rigid set Of
rules il employs IN testing appli-
cantS. The strongest requirement IS
that she possess a clear voice and
an even temper. Many voices are
unsuited to telephone work as they
are high or low pitched and do not
carry well over the wires. No matter
how well she masters other require
nents, a girl will not be accepted UNI
less her voice is good.
Patience Is another quasity &C.
CURED Of operators. Instead Of max
ing complaints to the chief opera
tor, patrons some times speak harsh
~ TO operators when a number fails
TO answer. The operators are re-
CURED TO show no provocation on
such occasions.
Comfort Considered.
While the requirements TO be met
by each prospective operator are
stringent, they receive the greatest
courtesy on the part OF the company
and nothing is overlooked for their
comfort. Specially designed chairs
which have been proved TO give the
operators the maximum comfort
have been installed.
The operating oom Is splendidly
arranged for ventilation. The win
dows are Of a special design, which
catch the fresh air from almost any
direction. Special fans also are used
In supplying fresh air to girls III
the switchboard.
The rest room is especially design
ed for the comfort Of the operators.