San Diego Union, September 12, 1911, page 4:
PLANS AMUSEMENT SYSTEM FOR CITY--COMPANY INTENDS ORGANIZING WITH LOCAL PEOPLE
San Diego is about to be brought on a par with large eastern and European cities in the matter of advancement.
The San Diego Telephone Herald company has just been organized for the purpose of installing a complete news and amusement service in this city.
Invented in Hungary, where the system is known as the "Telephone Hirmondo", it has been brought to this city to be established as the Telephone Herald.
Just as modem science has brought gas, water, electricity and other conveniences into the home, so the Telephone Herald brings news, music, songs, sermons and lectures directly into the homelife of its patrons, to be enjoyed at no greater effort than is now necessary to take the receiver down from the ordinary 'phone and listen.
The Telefon Hirmondo has been in operation in Budapest for nearly ten years, but not until lately did the owners of the invention consent to part with the American rights. How the system works in the Hungarian capital, and how it will work in San Diego when installation is perfected, is well described in an official report of Hon. Paul Nash, U. S. consul general at Budapest, as follows:
"The service begins at 8:45 a. m., when a buzzing noise loud enough to be heard across a large room and lasting for fifteen seconds announces the correct time. At 9:30 the day's program of important events is announced: that is to say, the ceremonies, lectures, plays, races, etc. At 10 and 11 o'clock stock quotations and general news items are given.
"At noon a second announcement of the correct time, followed by parliamentary news and general items of interest. At 12:45 o'clock quotations from the local, Vienna and Berlin exchanges and general news. At 2 o'clock more parliamentary and general news, and 3 p. m. the closing prices of the stocks, meteorological forecast, local personals and small items, and in winter the condition of the various skating places. At 4 p. m. court and miscellaneous news. From 4:30 to 6:30 military music from one of the great cafes or gardens. In the evening the subscriber may choose between the royal opera or one of the theaters, and later music by one of the tzigone orchestras.
"This program is sufficiently varied to satisfy the desires of all classes of subscribers, and in general the service seems to give the utmost satisfaction. Its advantages are so manifest that no comment appears necessary."--Adv.