Automatic Age

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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