Because "analysis of our sales shows that about 60% of the clerks' selling is practically automatic," and because, nevertheless, they wished to preserve certain flourishes of salesmanship, the United Cigar Stores Co. last week installed (in Manhattan) its first series of a new type of automatic cigaret machine. The customer inserts the required number of nickels in the proper machine; out drops his package of "Three Castles"; out pops a voice from the machine saying, "Thank you—corked tips protect the lips." It blares from a phonographic attachment. Or if he prefers "Barking Dogs" he hears, "Thank you—good & mild." "It's toasted"...
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