davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1935-05-26

smiling miss who served for "A years
as New York City hello girl" Miss
Hachmeister was assigned to the
switchboard Of the Roosevelt head
quarters during his campaign. So
we'll did she DO her work that Col.
Louis McHenry Howe, now one of the
Presidents confidential secretaries, in
an interview in a recent issue OF the
Telephone Review, referred 70 Miss
HachmeiSter as follows:
Il would like to pay this personal
tribute to Miss Hachmeister, and this
tribute is transmitted vicariously to
every other telephone supervisor or
operator the country over who CO.
operated with her on some of her
difficult telephone tasks. No matter
where a man might be in the United
States of America, Miss Hachmeister,
with the assistance of her sisters of
the telephone craft, could locate him.
I have facetiously referred to Miss
Hachmeister as the worlds greatest
telephone detective, and on more than
one occasion, when he wanted to get
in touch with member OF our or
ganization, this has been no idle jest.
For instance, there was the day
when we particularly wanted to get
in touch with Cornelius Vanderbilt,
jr. The last we heard of Mr.. Van
derbilt. he was in California, and
when Miss Hachmeister made long
distance call to his place out there
she learned that he had left several
days earlier, and the only information
available was that he was bound for
some State in the East.
"I don't quite know how Miss Hach-
meister did it, but she tells me she
called the logical places where any
eastbound autoist would stop, and
kept right on his trail all day. At
any rate, the original call was made
to California in the late forenoon,
and at exactly pm. Of that same
day was greeted with the informa-
ton from our capable chief operator:
Mr. Vanderbilt is on the wire And
Mr. Vanderbilt it was, talking from
somewhere in Maine. The trailing Of
Mr.. Vanderbilt across the continent
will always stand out in my memory
as piece of telephone magic"
SHOULD the President want to talk
- with the commander of the United
States feet, stationed temporarily. let
us say, in Hawaii, he would simply
pick up one of his many phones and
say to Miss Hachmeister: "Get me
Admiral j. M. Reeves in Honolulu" "
First of all, Americas No. hello
girl" would dial long distance and
say: THE President wants Admiral
Reeves in Honolulu" Whereupon the
long-distance operator would call the
foreign service switchboard in New
York City, which handles all calls
outside the United States proper, and
route the call to Honolulu, via San
Francisco.
Undoubtedly the high-ranking Navy
officer could be reached directly or
indirectly through the Pearl Harbor
Navy Yard, so a connection would be
established with the yard. In actual
practice, if the admiral were present
there, the call would be completed
within S to 10 minutes! But If he
happened to be aboard ship, the local
operator would call him by wireless
telephone with a message like this:
THE President Is calling. How soon
Evening star., 1935-05-26
Best Phone Service in the World

$50 telephones
White Within few minutes he is able to talk
Hachmster,
Number telephone girl She operates the White
House switchboard Underwood Photo) Top
switchboard erected breaking the
Navy Building
Below the White telephone
telegraph In the that President
telephone service this
lady, international toll board TOXIC
attends to record time.
Evening star., 1935-05-26
Bv James Nevin Miller.

w YHAT might properly be
called the mo. l" tele-
wv phone of the Nation is
listed in the phone book
as National 1414. II ever
YOU have occasion to call this num-
ber you will be put in immediate
touch with a rather well-known white
residence at 1000 Pennsylvania ave-
nue.. Chances are, however, that you
won't be allowed to talk with the
man who lives there. He's e trifle
too busy.
Yes, you've guessed it. This is the
official home of Franklin D. Roose-
welt. Better served is he by tele-
phone than any other person IN the
world Better indeed than any Pres
ment, day or night, Mr.. Roosevelt
can pick up the receiver of any one
of $50 phones and talk with friends,
official emiSSaries of the Government
in fact, anybody in almost any ma
ton in the world. Sixty different
countries are now linked by telephone
service. These countries have an ag-
gregate of over 80 million phones, &C
cording to official estimates as of
January l, 1895, of which some l8
million are on the North American
continent and over 10 million in Eu-
rope.
These figures seem rather bewilder-
ing when you realize that the White
House staff and equipment is exceed
ingly small There are only five op-
orators, all of them men except one,
and single switchboard. But it's
q dandy-a Intersection PIX, or
private branch exchange. Usually
three operators are on the job at
one time. They work in shifts.
The switchboard is located in the
new executive Offices or West Execu-
tive avenue, on the second or top
floor Mr.. RooSeveltS private office
is close by, on the first floor.
THROUGH this board the Chief
- Executive and his Office force
have direct communication with all
major Government departments and
the Capitol There are also a good
many private lines leading to the
homes OF CLOSE p6ISOIldl anu dQfllIl-
ktration friends and advisers. In this
connection exact details never will
be revealed, as a matter of presidential
policy. However, in the official resi-
dence there are telephones in the
study and most other rooms, as well
as in the head ushers office at the
private entrance.
At first thought you naturally Won
der why so many phones are utilized
in the White House. But the rea-
son really is obvious enough. In his
work the President probably mas more
responsibilities than any other execu-
tive in the world. The entire func-
tioning of the Government, except OF
Congress, is under his control. So
he must be Immediately available
every minute of every day in the
year.
Operating the White House switch
board is q young woman whose abil-
ity in handling the cords and keys
of a switchboard and using her head
at the same time brought her to the
personal attention of President Roose-
velt and others in high places. She
Is Louise Hachmeister, a dark-haired,
Evening star., 1935-05-26

~ YHAT might properly be
called the mo. l" tele-
wv phone of the Nation is
listed in the phone book
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-19
Guild Aiding
Hos pital to
Open Season
Riley Group VIII Meet
III Business Session
at Sphinx Arms.

Philanthropic activities of the
Riley Hospital Cheer Guild for the
fall and winter season will start
with a business session Tuesday
afternoon in the Valencia room Of
the Sphinx Arms. Mrs. Carl Irrgang
Will be in charge Of the business.
On the calendar IS Included a
benefit card party slated for Oct. Z
at the Antlers, proceeds Of which
Will BE used to supply surgical and
other hospital equipment. The
chairman, Mrs. Jerome Prochaska,
will be assisted By members Of the
ways and means committee.
Marcus Dickey, former secretary
to James Whitcom5 Riley, Will be
host at his Brown County lodge one
day next month to members Of the
guild. In December the guild Will
continue its annual custom Of trim
ming Christmas trees in the hospital
wards and corridors and the Rotary
COnvalescent home.
Guest Day Set
Monthly meetings are scheduled
for January and February and a
musiCale-tea at the John Heron
Art Institute March 18 has been
designated as guest day. At the
March business meeting officers will
be elected for the ensuing term.
With Mrs Irrgang, other officers
are Mrs. S. @. Huntington, first
vice president; Mrs Carl r. Semans,
second vice president; Mrs. Emil H.
SoufflOt. recording secretary; Mrs.
Ira Fisher. corresponding secretary;
Mrs. John q. Beale, auxiliary secre-
tary; Miss Alice Velsey, assistant;
Mrs. John A. GarrettSon. treasurer;
Mrs. Agnes NJ. Todd. auditor: Mrs
Blanche B. HIcNew. hospital director
Of guild work. Mrs. Andrew j.
Porter is honorary president.
Aid to Continue
The group will continue to con-
tribute to hospital departments
elementary. high school, kinder
garten, library and "clotheS-closet."
Committee chairmen for the year
as announced by Mrs. Irrgang in
Clude: Mrs. PrOChaSka, ways
and MEANS; Mrs. c. A JAG
quart, social: Mrs. Burton Knight,
publicity; Mrs. Gordon B. Mess, pro-
gram; Mrs. Alice Carper, decora-
ton; Mrs. NJ. E. Costin, telephone;
Mrs. j. S. Mclaughlin, hospitality;
Mrs. McNew, director of Cheer Guild
work and sewing; Miss Alice Vel
Sey. birthday; Mrs. SoufIlOt. year
book; Mrs. Huntington, parliament
tartan: Mrs. Ernest GoshOrn, dele
gate to local council of women;
Mrs. Minnie Ayers, alternate: Mrs
Todd, flower.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-19
C% BLUE DOOR Il S5sa;]
Rachel

Q 1898 NEA Service. Inc.

gets those traits from her. He gets
his good looks from her, too"
Mrs. Mcneil was thinking, Shes
surprisingly simple and unaffected.
And so pretty! No wonder Johns
infatuated. I can see he is. He
doesn't take his eyes of her .
he really mustn't fall in love with
her. She wouldn't have him. or, if
she did, it wouldn't work. Wealth's
a barrier to the normal life. 1t
never brings happiness"
Yet, through and around these
thoughts, they woye a web of polite
conversation there in the gracious
big parlor, autumn flowers nodding
from sedate old vases and polished
floors rejecting the lamplight.
All the while Ruth OF thinking,
Elaine and John should marry,
after all. 1t wouldn't matter about
all her money. Johns background
is as good as hers it would
join the two houses together again.
I believe it's intended. When she
comes. all that will begin to hap
pen"
And then she thought of a hall
bedroom somewhere, with a gas
plate in it for cooking. If she were
lucky, she would be living in such
place while John and Elaine
were become acquainted.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-19
PHI MU ALUMNAE
LEADERS CHOSEN

Miss Alice Sexton, chairman of
ways and means committee for Phi
Mu Alumnae Club of Indianapolis,
will have as her assistants for the
coming term Misses Freida Bach,
Florence Day, Velma Schaaf, The
resa Moran and Frances Ross.
The telephone committee chair
man will be Mrs. Raymond Toler
and her committee, Mesdames
Clarence Leet, H. D. Eberhart, w.
c. Shannon, and G. A. Witham. Mrs.
Eberhart, social chairman, has as
assistants, Mrs. C. H. Glascock, Mrs.
L. L. Clark, Miss Bethel Wilson and
Mrs. w. B. Wilcox.
Other committees include: Pro-
gram, Mrs. w. G. Shannon, Mrs.
Harry Cause, Miss Martha Lands,
Mrs. B. B. Scheib and Mrs. Ross
Coffin; publicity, Mrs. Charles B.
DoIan, Mrs. L. A. Turnock and Mrs.
Ruskin Bunnel and flowers, Mrs. R.
G.. Reed.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-19
to Be
Instructed by
Voters League

Cooperating with the campaign
inaugWated by the National League
of Women Voters to obtain better
trained personnel in government
service, the indianapolis group
through its personnel campaign
committee announces a study course
and lecture tea.
Mrs. Arthur c. Shea and Mrs.
John Goodwin, co-chairmen of the
local committee, announce that ar
rangementS have been completed
for a training course for speakers.
Twenty league members will attend
the course to be under the direction
Of Miss Evelyn Chambers, executive
secretary Of the Indiana League.
With the completion of the course,
/ the members will speak before wom-
/ ems clubs and organizations
throughout the city.
The national chairman of the
committee. Mrs. George Gellhorn,
st. Louis, will be in Indianapolis
Friday, Sept. 81, to speak at the
leagues annual membership tea at
2:30 in Ayres auditorium. Mrs. Cell
horns subject will be rs the Best
Service the Best Pontics?"
Assisting Mrs. Howard Meeker,
chairman of the membership COM
mittee, are Mesdames Wendell Lit
tie, Ralph Showalter, George Foth-
eringham, Elsa Brant, Cleon Nafe,
Edgar Ellsworth, L. M. Dunning. B.
c. Ellis, F. B. McKibben. R. A. Mil
Ter, Leonard Smith, Walter Rogers,
Louis Haerle and David Lurvey and
Miss Clara Goe and Miss Katharine
Brown.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-19
RFGIN HERE TODAY


Ruth WooGson. pretty high-spirited gil
= 10. 10 search a work. SEEKS refuge from
storm 10 an old stone house with a b.u ne
c7Or ~ the A-tie town 81 worthwhile. Inc
queer old C7TctaEer. Bertha Gi5os. als0
known as Benny. THINKS Ruth is Elaine
Chalmers. whose grandfather built the
house
Ruth. needing shelter and having fallen
u love with the Young man next door.
John Mcneil. decides 20 stay or a while.
posing as Elaine. Elaine. meanwhile az
Graycastle College VOWS in a sor0ritv
meeting 20 Win the love Of her childhood
hero. John Mcneil. She plans 10 20 to
Worthwhile
A man known as John Smith escapes
from an asVlum. buys a used car and
starts for Worthwhile.
John McNeiu has fallen In love With
Ruth and worries about Ter being home
with Bertha Cribs in The old house Ruth
is no. disConCerted bv the queer actions of
old Bertha or by the strange noises she
hears N the house az night
Elaine goes % New York and her
mother Gwen Deal. tells her that her
uncle Duncan Hunter has escaped from
an insane ssv.um and r. thought 20 be In
New York. This news IS kept from Higate
Deal. Ovens husband. since he hates
Duncan and vas -he one who caused MIN
to be confined Elaine is in love with 2
senior ~ Annapolis Dennis Davis. but
encourages the attentions OF Teddy Van
Harrington.
NOW GO on WITH THE STORY
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-19

Susie. Maybe she's done caught
the solitary bug from crazy Bertha
Gibbs"
Mrs. Mcneil laughed, then grew
sober. She's got no business be-
ing alone in that house with Bertha.
I've an idea she came without her
mothers consent. I must look into
it, Susie"
As she put away her clothes and
freshened herself for dinner, Ellen
McNeilIs mind dwelt on Susie's
news. She could hardly wait for
John to come home, SO she might
question him. AS far as she could
tell. the house next door looked
lust as usual. 1t was hard to believe
that a vivid young thing from the
fashionable world had ircarcerated
herself there.
John arrived just in time for
dinner; almost before the soup was
I finished his mother was asking him
questions about Elaine. His ret
icence surprised her Could Susie
r. right about his being "daffy" over
the girl? She said, John I must
see her! She's got no business in
the world being in that house.
Whatever induced her to come?
Just a Whim?"
1T seems So" answered John.
"She needed a rest"
Mrs. Mcneil said. I'm afraid
wouldn't recognize her now. re-
call her as a handsome. impenous
child. How is Bertha reacting to
it all, John?"
More reasonably than you'd eX-
pect." John replied. But I feel
darn'd uneasy about it, just the
same. I've just been thinking,
Mother, couldn't we ask her over
here to finish out her visit?"
"Of course We could son." she
told him. I've been planning the
same thing myself. Go over after
dinner and bring her to me. I think
I can convince her that she ought
TO come TO US.
Ruth was not prepared for Johns
request that she run over to see
his mother with him. 1t threw her
into a panic. She exclaimed, Why
John! I didn't know your mother
was at home"
She came back today" John told
her. She's all worked Up over your
being here. She's anxious to talk
to you Now come on. honey, and
don't argue You don't want to hurt
mothers feeling. do you"
He did not let her wait to 'primp,"
as he called it, but seized her hand
and drew her, running, after him
across the lawns.
MFRS. M'NEILL met them in the
WI hall and kissed Ruth matter
of-factly as she greeted her. She
said, You're a dear child to
come. John says you haven't been
seeing people, but I felt you
wouldn't mind seeing me-"
She was leading Ruth into the
big living room and seating her on
divan as she talked. The girls
panic was vanishing. She had been
accepted as Elaine, even in the clear
lamplight. Perhaps there was moth
ing to fear, after all. She looked
shyly at John and his beaming
smile treasured her.
He said, Mothers got a plan. A
swell one"
What is it?" Ruth asked. her
voice a little huttery.
It's this" said Mrs. Mcneil.
You're to go back and pack your
clothes and come to us at once.
You're not to stay another night
in that desolate old barn. It's not
practical. It's not even safe"
Ruth answered, surprised and
touched "Oh, but I couldn't do that.
I couldn't" She did not say why
she couldn't, but she said it firmly,
as if she meant it. She only knew
that she must not let them persuade
her.
Mrs. Mcneil asked pointedly,
Does your mother know you are
! here, Elaine?"
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-19
NOW GO on WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER TWENTY

MRS. MNEILL, arriving home a
WI few days earlier than she had
expected. took taxi from the depot
to her home on Garfleld-av.
She preferred to do this rather
than call John at the factory and
put him to the trouble of meeting
her. She was that sort Of person
brisk, self-reliant and not given to
demanding attention.
When she reached home she was
given a welcome by Susie, the Negro
cook who had served her for almost
30 years. Susie and her husband
Ebe, the yard man, lived at the rear
of the place in the cupaloed build
ing that had been stable and serv-
ants house when built
The lower floor had long since
been converted into a garage, but
the quarters Of Susie and Ebe re-
manned as unchanged as themselves
Though the years had slowed down
the efficiency Of both servants, their
pride in their work and their de-
votion to the McNeills was a by
word.
Mrs Mcneil exclaimed, How
nice everything looks, Susie!
don't believe I've been missed at
all How's Mr.. John?"
If it's his appetite. you're askin
about answered Susie, g." amt
never been better. But he's doin
a powerful lot of galaVantin'. He
amt home any longer than it takes
to eat his meals and spruce up"
Mrs. Mcneil looked pleased. She
said. I always thought John would
be socially inclined if he once got
started Where has he been going
Susie?"
Now, you're askin' me Sumthin!
replied Susie She rolled her eyes
Importantly. enjoying the remark
ablencss Of the news she was about
to impart Hes been goin' ovah tc
the old Hunter housed"
Mrs. Mcneil stared in amaze
ment, her well-bred mouth actually
gaping. What do you mean by
l4ldJs 0uolts w LOU Oll Ca I'll NOCS
he do there?"
He hangs aroun' a young lady
Susie informed her. when hi
amt visitin' her, he's carryin' hel
for a ride in his cab. Looks like
Mr.. John done gone daffy."
Who is the girl?" Mrs. Mcneil
asked. You don't mean the Chal-
mers child, do you, Susie?"
"Yes'm." said Susie, nodding
Oats who It's, all right. He call
her Elaine when he yell at her one
mornin' from the yard. Ebe and me
recollects her from a chile, but we
amt had a good look at her since
she's been heah. Seem like she done
come all by herself to take a rest
Mr.. John tole me not to talk about
it to anybody, an amt"
MFRS. MCNEILL was calculating
WI Elaine must be about &C
years old now. Do you mean the
girl hasn't seen anybody but John
SuSie?"
Seems like she amt" replied
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-19
OMEGA NU TAU TO
MEET IN CITY

Miss Catherine Hafertepen. ALI
ance, o., national president of
Omega M Tau Sorority, viii pre-
side at business sessions TO be held
Saturday and Sunday at the Sew
erin in connection with the fifteenth
annual convention.
Alpha chapter, which VIII serve
a hostess group. is headed by Mrs
Ross Morgan, president; Mrs. Frank
Siefert, vice president: Mrs. Edith
Hulse, recording secretary; Mrs
George Callahan. corresponding sec
rotary. Miss EloiSe Amacher. treas
urer: Mrs. Wilbert V. White Jr.. So
ciety editor; Miss Nellie Mae Lar
kins. sergeant-at-arms, and Mis-;
Dorothy Jean Bond. chaplain.
Convention delegates include
Alpha. Mrs. Russell Wattleworth
Mrs. White and Miss AmaCher
Beta, Muncie, Mrs. George H. John
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-19
Y. ". G. A. BOARD
CHANGES MADE

Changes in the personnel Of the
board of directors of the Y. w. c. A.
were made at the board meeting
this week. Mrs. B. S. Goodwin re-
tired as vice president to become
president to fill the vacancy made
by Mrs. Paul E. Tombaugh, who
resigned. Mrs. Edgar T. Forsyth
took Mrs. Goodwins place as vice
president.
Vacancies in the board were
filled by Mrs. Russell E. Adkins
and by Mrs. Walter j. Krull, who
was chosen treasurer to succeed Mrs.
Forsyth.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-19
PAGE

son. Miss Esther Topic and Miss
Betty Strait: Gamma. Miss Neher-
sta Pierce, Mrs. J. Nelson Marks and
Mrs. VIII Wertz: Delta. Anderson,
Mrs. Loren o. Cabe. Mrs. Albert
George and Mrs. Ray Nuding; Ep-
silon. Bedford. Mrs. CurnSey Cum
mings. Miss Oneta Richardson and
Mrs. Joseph Steinhagcn.
Zeta. Bloomington. Miss Dorothy
Van Deman. Miss LLOYD Hudson
and Miss Florence Young; Eta,
Alexandria. Miss Dorothy Mary Sex
son. Mrs. William Russell and Miss
Fmmahne Kilgore; Theta. Alliance,
o.: Miss Bertha Rinker. Miss Olive
Pope. Miss Edythe Roth and Miss
Gertrude Thad. Lambda. Mrs. Roy
c. Hill Mrs. Katherine Mitchell and
Miss Dorothy Gill: Mu. Dayton. O..
Mrs. Edward Griesmeyer. Miss Bar
nadette Smith and Mrs. AdOlph
Wellington.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-19
MRS. MNEILL said. W

NERS. MNEILL said, with a
4V1 little gesture Of defeat but
not resentment, Then stay on for
a while, dear, and talk to me.
remember you as a little girl, and
yet don't remember you either. At
least you've not turned out as I
thought you would"
Ruth supplied with a smile, I'm
not as large as I promised to be,
and my hairs darker. My mother's
hair turned dark, too. though not
SO much" She was quoting Penny
almost word for word.
Mrs Mcneil nodded. Its good
to see one of the Hunters back
again. There've been Hunters here
for generations. Worthwhile misses
them now. Is your mother Well?"
Yes, thank you" Ruth replied.
She was thinking, What a sweet
woman! She's fine and good and
proud and sensible. She believes
I'm Elaine Chalmers with millions
and millions, but she treats me the
way she'd treat any other girl whose
mother she used to know. She's
sincere and sure of herself. John
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-19

mo" answered Ruth, flushing
hotly So it was going to be a
sort Of inquisition after ALL
And Go you think she'd approve
Of your being here al0ne?" continued
Mrs. Mcneil firmly.
No. I suppose she wouldn't"
We'll then said Mrs. MCNEIL.
as if that settled it. do you want
John 10 tell old Bertha Gibbs you're
coming or would you rather do it
YOURSELF"
Ruth replied. lifting her chin
stubbornly, If it's Bertha you're
thinking about, Mrs. Mcneil, she's
as harmless as child. John S
warned me about her several times
with a quick smile at hinl) but
I've always commended she's all right
Shes just eccentric and childish"
Mrs. Mcneil said reasonably, I'VE
are in a position to know more
about Bertha Gibbs than you Go,
Elaine. She's quite definitely off.
Not violent, I grant you, but off.
Shes nursed grudges against certain
persons for years. Your Stepfather
among them. Your mother, too,
possibly. No doubt you know why.
She wOrshiped your Uncle Duncan
Yes" murmured Ruth, though
what Mrs Mcneil had just said
made no sense to her. She was
thinking, Il can't come over here
and stay. I won't. There's a limit
to my outrageous nerve"
With all her strength she would
resist them. She allowed her de-
termination to show in her face as
she looked at Mrs. MCNEIL. She
said, exactly as the imperiOus Elaine
Chalmers would have said it,
you're kind to ask me to come, but
I'm quite all right where I am. It's
an adventure I wouldn't miss"
Well" remarked John, half
smiling, that's that"
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-19

the Aymaras live
here, but t h e y
have no legends
or ira di t ions
about these ruins.
In 1915 Bolivia
isued the stamp
shown here, illus
trating this mon
Olith.
NEA Service, Inc.)
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-19

Brightwood Auxiliary to the
B. R. T. will entertain with a card
party at 8:15 tomorrow night at
25th and Station-stS.