1. SONG OF A SUCCESSFUL SECRETARY Yes, I have a system that's all my own. And it can't be explained and it can't be shown. I file by number, I file by letter, I file by ways that are ten times better. I file by subject, I file by date, I file by city, I file by state. I shun the trite, and scorn conventions, My filing system has four dimensions. Yes, I have a system that's all my own. And it can't be explained and it can't be shown. I file by number, I file by letter, I file by ways that are ten times better. I file by subject, I file by date, I file by city, I file by state. I shun the trite, and scorn conventions, My filing system has four dimensions.

2. I regard "In re" at the top of a letter As something to make it balance better, I pay no attention to underlining And seldom get down to the person signing. I've got the names of the firm's officials Neatly arranged by their middle initials; Customers' letters I've filed instead By the color and size of their letterhead. I regard "In re" at the top of a letter As something to make it balance better, I pay no attention to underlining And seldom get down to the person signing. I've got the names of the firm's officials Neatly arranged by their middle initials; Customers' letters I've filed instead By the color and size of their letterhead.

3. I've got our catalogue mailing list Filed under 'Farley'-- you get the gist? Our financial reports, For my own good reasons, Instead of by months, I've arranged by seasons. I've put Mrs. Duffy's damage suit In a folder entitled "Big Dispute." I've got our catalogue mailing list Filed under 'Farley'-- you get the gist? Our financial reports, For my own good reasons, Instead of by months, I've arranged by seasons. I've put Mrs. Duffy's damage suit In a folder entitled "Big Dispute."

4. I'm the indispensable employee, They can't take a step without me, And it costs them a raise and half-day free Every time they attempt to flout me. So they can't fire me, no matter how cross, No matter how mean and riling! I'm Garbo herself-- I'm the boss's boss, For I take care of the filing. I'm the indispensable employee, They can't take a step without me, And it costs them a raise and half-day free Every time they attempt to flout me. So they can't fire me, no matter how cross, No matter how mean and riling! I'm Garbo herself-- I'm the boss's boss, For I take care of the filing. Elizabeth Ann Christman Song of A Successful Secretary, Saturday Evening Post, 1939 reprinted in Gladys Torson, The Art of Being a Successful Business Girl (New York: New Home Library, 1940) Elizabeth Ann Christman Song of A Successful Secretary, Saturday Evening Post, 1939 reprinted in Gladys Torson, The Art of Being a Successful Business Girl (New York: New Home Library, 1940)