Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 7, 1911, page 11:
TUBE IN WALL TO TELL ALL NEWS
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"Herald Telephone," European Invention, Will Reproduce Theater at Home
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COST PUT AT MINIMUM
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Company Promises to Give Remarkable Service to Subscribers by Means of Buzzer
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Offices have been opened in Seattle for the purpose of introducing here the stock of the Herald Telephone, an invention which comes from Budapest, Hungary, and which is being marketed by the Washington Telephone Herald Company. This invention promises, say the inventors, to bring all the joys of life and the news and goings on in the world to the stay-at-home, all for the price of 5 cents a day.
The invention promises to connect all the homes of the subscribers with the principal amusement places of the city, with the churches that sermons may be heard through a sort of tube, with the principal lecture rooms, as well as the filling in with giving all sorts of news matter when no busy with other things.
Like Aladdin's Ring
A Budapest writer says of the invention:
"The service begins at 8:55 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 comes 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 tzigane (gipsy) orchestras.
Program Is Varied
"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.
"That the telephone has not been operated in this country is said to be because of the fact that certain features of the invention have been held as secrets, and the Budapest company has felt satisfied with its rapidly growing business and it still more rapidly growing profits.
"Now, however, a contract has been made which conveys every right to patents and to every secret method, so far as the United States is concerned, and the Washington Telephone Herald Company has been organized to operate under this contract. The company has a capital of $500,000, all common stock, and already a large number of shares ($1 each) have been subscribed for."
Costs 5 Cents a Day
The company proposes to install such a system in Seattle at a 5 cent a day rate to subscribers without charge of installation. It is said by the officials that a number of applications for the service have already been made.
The Washington Telephone Herald Company, which is introducing this invention in Seattle, has it offices at 339-340 Henry building, where it has arranged a demonstration, with fifty pair of receivers, where visitors will be welcomed at any time to inspect and listen to the workings of this invention.
The officers of this company are: Sherwood Gillespy, president, B. J. Klarman, vice president, and N. R. Solner, secretary and treasurer.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 11, 1911, page 17:
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 4, 1911, page 5:
Receiver for Telephone Herald
E. E. Davis yesterday asked for the appointment of a receiver for the Washington Telephone Herald Co. Davis charges that the company owes him $750 in salary.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 8, 1911, page 4:
Two Receivers are Appointed
W. H. Thompson was appointed receiver of the Washington Telephone Herald Co. yesterday on the petition of E. E. Davis. Bond was fixed in the sum of $100. Thomas F. Murphine was appointed receiver of the Snoqualmie Lumber & Shingle Company on the petition of Mary M. Miller and sons. Bond was fixed in the sum of $1,000.