92
T he
A
u t o m a t ic
system will relieve the conductors o f
part o f their present work and pres
ent overcrowding, as at present.
The stationery type o f coin collec
tors and change-making machines is
adapted to use by banks, stores o f all
kinds, but not very greatly by res
taurants fo r the reason that cafete
rias are almost unknown in France.
The usual method o f paying fo r pur
chases in stores is fo r the sales girls
to conduct the purchaser to small
offices in each department where they
call out the amount o f the sale to
the department cashier who notes it
down in his ledgers and makes
change from tills in his counter. The
post o f cashier is one m ost salesmen
strive fo r and the cashiers in the one
large store which not long ago con
sidered the idea o f using change-
making machines are credited with
having caused the plan to be given
up.
Change-making machines are used
in Paris branches o f several Am eri
can banks but have never found fa
vor in French banks. A s the aver
age salary o f a paying teller in
French banks is not over 1,500
francs or roughly $60 a month, banks
naturally have little inducement to
install change-making machines.
Coin Counting Machines
Establishments in France which
might be interested in coin counting
machines are banks, transport com
panies, and department stores. Their
use in banks in Paris is still very
limited. It is said that the subway
company in Paris would not be in
terested in their use at present.
Tram way and bus conductors in
Paris turn in their m oney to district
cashiers after sorting by denomina
tion and stacking them in piles. It
is possible that department stores
might be interested in their use, but
not very probable in view o f their
cost.
© International Arcade Museum
A
ge
Coin Wrapping Machines
These are practically unknown m
France at present, but are adapted
to use there by banks, large stores,
and tramway lines. It is not likely*
however, that their use will become
general owing to their cost.
Fare Collection Devices
Turnstiles are common in French
museums and in Paris subway sta
tions but their purpose is merely t°
check the sale of tickets. Automatic
turnstiles are not adapted to use m
the French subway system, owing to
the fa ct that the sole underground
passage is used by first and s e co n d
class passengers. The use o f collec*
tion boxes on street cars has never
been considered by tramway lines m
Paris owing to the difficulties in ad
justing them to the zone system
which is general. Fares vary, de
pending on the length o f the ride
and are usually in such am ounts aS
40, 60, 80 and 120 centimes, which
require the use o f not less than tw°
coins.
Vending and Slot M achines
Vending machines are not un'
known in France, but their use h&s
decreased during the past few yeais
owing to a recent law which P*0'
hibits the use o f slot machines i*1
volving a game o f chance. Further
more, the merchandise value 0
French coins has so fluctuated dur
ing the past year or tw o that th®
owners o f these machines hesitate t°
stock them and run the risk o f bein#
compelled to sell them at a loss.
Machines are rarely found except
on the platform o f subways and 111
cafes and public parks. These ma^
chines are stocked either with sma
bars o f chocolate or with hard can
dies. Chewing gum is meeting wi
fair sale in tobacco shops, but,
with shelled peanuts and h a n d k e *
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