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156

would be no room for such a condition either at the factory or the shop of the Wright Brothers.
   
I therefore rented an office in the United Bretheran office building, bought some furniture and a typewriter and then called up a school for stenographers and asked them to send me a competent girl, one who was an expert, if possible. I did not know what I was getting into. The first lady to arrive looked me over and remarked, "I guess you'll do." This lady could not take dictation, much less read her own shorthand. 
   
I complained to the school that they evidentally did not understand my requirements, that I wanted an experienced girl and not "a half-baked" student. They sent me a second, third and fourth girl with equal success. I told the school to cancel my order. I would try another source of supply. I had no sooner finished my telephone conversation when I received a call from a tall blond, sent by the same school. I explained to her about the job and the trouble I was having, trying to get a competent stenographer.  
   
I dictated four letters and left the office for an hour. She had finished the letters which looked neat but she could not read her own shorthand. By this time I had lost my temper. She cried and said that if her services were not satisfactory she would resign. I thought quickly. If this was the kind of stenographers they turned out perhaps it would be much better if I kept this girl and trained her for this class of work.
  
"Resign, nothing", I said, "See if you can take dictation direct on the machine and forget your shorthand."
   
This worked out satisfactorily and Miss Mabel Beck became a valuable [[strikethrough]] worker [[/strikethrough]] stenographer. When I was away from Dayton I gave her my itinerary and she would keep in touch by telegraph or telephone, not only saving much time but actually saving the loss of valuable contracts. As the season progressed she became more valuable.