This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 Excerpt: ... "something in addition." Much must be said in little space, for the rules that obtain make this necessary. In this country addresses and limited signatures may be telegraphed without cost; in European countries they must be paid for. The general rule of payment is twenty-five cents for ten words. At night, after ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 Excerpt: ... "something in addition." Much must be said in little space, for the rules that obtain make this necessary. In this country addresses and limited signatures may be telegraphed without cost; in European countries they must be paid for. The general rule of payment is twenty-five cents for ten words. At night, after working hours, when wires are not so busy, a night letter consisting of fifty words may be sent at the regular day rate for ten words. But in either case it is desirable always to say as much as possible in as few words as possible, and the problem is sometimes a very difficult one, for this requires precision of expression. Nouns and verbs principally should be used in telegraphic communication; pronouns and adverbs have to be used frequently; adjectives and prepositions occasionally, but far more rarely. Punctuation is not telegraphed. The fate of your punctuation rests with the intelligence of the operator at the place where your message is received. When writing telegrams, however, the punctuation should be clearly indicated. Telegraph forms carry on their reverse full instructions as to the rates and classes of service. Anyone who is obliged to use the telegraph frequently should familiarize himself with the rules. The message below tells in five nouns, four verbs, and one adverb, what might easily be expanded into a letter of two or more pages: Fire. Business completely destroyed. Hold shipments. Forward money. Letter follows. Expanded into a night letter of fifty words, more details of the catastrophe may be given and a freer use of the parts of speech may be made; thus, --Fire yesterday completely destroyed entire business section. Hold shipments. Cancel future orders pending instructions. Store our expense goods on hand or sell el...
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