The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-08-21
The Telephone.

Little did people dream what was coming
when Professor Bell, early in 1876, experiment.
ed with his clumsy telephone in Boston and
Salem, nor even when, July oath, 1877, Ran
dali & McAlister Of this city introduced the
first line and instruments ever used in Maine.
In the few years that have since elapsed, the
telephone business has grown to immense pro-
portions. In Portland alone there are now,
in round numbers, 700 subscribers, using over
$50 miles of wire. Nearly every kind of bust
ness is represented, laundry being the last to
come in. Portland has now more subscribers
in proportion to the number of her inhabitants
than any other city. If the statistics from
different exchanges are correct the Portland
Exchange is making more connections daily
between its subscribers than any other Of the
size-from 1000 to 5000 being made daily.
Sixteen operators are in attendance and con-
stantly busy. The increase in the business all
over the country has exceeded the growth OF
invention in the way of switch-boards and APP
paratus for working.
When the Portland Exchange-two years
ago,-was remodeled and moved into larger
rooms, the best switchboard known was secur-
ed for this exchange. To-day there are several
better ones, and the managers of the company
are casting about to determine what is now the
best enc, with view soon to enlarge the pres
emit operating apartment and put in the most
approved switch.
We are told by persons from other exchanges
that the service is now equal, and in some
cases superior, to their own. When this gys-
tenn was first in full operation the service was
superior to the average; and was often spoken
of by visitors as SUCH Even then complaints
often were received at the central Office. Sub
scribers had not learned what to expect; they
did not realize there were wires upon wires,
batteries, cords and numberless chances for
troubles to occur. 1t is natural to suppose the
trouble is all due to the operators, but in reali-
ty little of it is really chargeable to their care
lessness or neglect. Effort is made to secure
the best of young mon and ladies in the office.
With the present switch and the best way it
can be worked, each connection passes through
four operators hands before completed. One
notices the drop Of the annunciator, and con-
meets that lire with the call table, where an
other operator is seated, with a telephone at
each ear, and pile of different colored and
numbered States before her. She takes the
call and marks it on one of these states, anoth-
or operator takes the slate and two cords, con-
meets the cords by means OF pins with the num-
bers of the subscriber; also to strips on the
board, as the slate indicates The slate then
goes to table, where the fourth operator
rings up the party wanted, thus completing
the connection.
One difficulty hard to overcome by the Ex-
change is the use of the instruments by nom
subscribers 1t not unfrequently happens that
subscribers themselves fail to get the party
they desire on account of some outsider using
an instrument on the line wanted. The COM
pany make rules and post notices, but subscrib-
ers can do more than the company to prevent
this trouble, if they will
Some exchanges charge for every communi-
cation, but this is not satisfactory plan, and
need not be adopted here if subscribers will
regard their own interests by refusing the use
of their instrument to those who do not pay
for it. The company are building first-elass
| lines, using the best instruments manufactured
and are ready to change again, Though such
| changes are expensive,) when better switches
| and systems are offered, and proved better by
use in other larger exchanges. Subscribers are
| welcome to visit the central office and see for
| themselves what is going on there.
A.B.C.