Ingenious "cash" arrangement in a Glasgow warehouse.

Glasgow Herald 3 July 1885, p.6

There was inaugurated on Wednesday in the warehouse of Messrs Arnott & Co., Jamaica Street, one of the most ingenious contrivances of recent times. It is what is known as the "Lamson Cash Railway", which, although extensively used in the stores and warehouses of the United States and Canada, has never before been seen in practical operation in Scotland. The purpose of the "railway" is to convey safely, promptly, and accurately from any part of a large warehouse to the cashier's box the money received in payment of goods, and to return, with the same expedition, the change if any, and vouchers. In short, it supersedes the hitherto indispensable "cash boy", who is described by the promoters as vexatious and unreliable, and substitutes a medium which, it is claimed, is free from all objectionable features, and has given great satisfaction in America.

As seen in practical working in Messrs Arnott's warehouse, the Lamson system consists of a series of elevated miniature railways in lines radiating to the different flats and departments from the cashier's box, which is near the centre. There are 12 separate lines, and they pass over the various counters so as to serve every part of the warehouse. There are two tracks in each line - a high-level and a low-level track - and one is inclined towards the cashier's desk, while the other is inclined in the opposite direction. The money lifted at a given counter is put inside hollow balls, which are lettered and marked, and these being put on the forward track find their way to the cashier's desk in a few moments. They are returned with the change and vouchers by the other track quite as expeditiously. The balls are of different sizes, and are graduated to work "switches" on the various lines, and by this means each ball finds its proper track. The "switches" are made use of on four diverging lines, which connect with the main lines, eight in number.

Of the advantages of the new system to shoppers, as well as the salesmen, there cannot be any difference of opinion. It effects a considerable saving of time, abates the excitement always apt to occur in a large warehouse, and works ???lessly and with perfect accuracy. So far as Wednesday's experience went the "railway" was an entire success.