Page:The Girl Who Earns Her Own Living (1909).djvu/151

 whisper. The girl with the strident, harsh voice has no place in a telephone exchange, and will not be tolerated.

The student begins to operate a switchboard on the very first day. She dons a metal headpiece, holding the receiver directly ower her ears; while about her shoulders is fastened another metallic harness holding the transmitter into which she speaks. Her hands never touch either transmitter or receiver, but are busy with the plugs of the switchboard. Her first lesson at the board generally lasts an hour. Day by day her time is increased, as her assurance and strength grow. At first, delicate or nervous girls have been known to faint under the strain, but experience proves that this effect is due more to nervous strain and anxiety to succeed than to real physical exhaustion.

At the end of a month or perhaps five or six weeks, the girl moves from this very practical classroom into an exchange, where under a monitor or inspector she continues to receive instructions. These inspectors pace behind the operators, not only to advise and assist newcomers, but to keep the entire force alert and keyed up to its work.

In a city like New York or Chicago, the new operator is paid six dollars a week. At the end of a year, she should be an expert operator, drawing ten dollars per week. Then if she re-