Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-04
MEssAG Es FOR THE PRESIDENT.
How the Telegraph service at the White
House Is Conducted.
From, the Washington Star.

From the Washington Star.
There is one department of the White
House which escapes the notice of even
frequent visitors. That is the telegraph
and telephone department. II occupies
only the little room in the northeast cor
ner of the second floor, over the east room.
but it is very important adjunct to the
official administration at the White
House. Its location is secluded, and
the casual visitor has no call to in
trude, yet it often happens that a fire.
quenter of the White House will drop in
10 send a telephone message or to pass
the time OF day with the presiding genius,
B. f. Montgomery. He belongs to the
regular clerical force of the White House,
but, being an expert telegrapher, he
was gwen charge OF the telegraph instru-
ments, in addition to his other duties.
with an increase of salary, when the force
was cut down after the change OF ad-
ministratIon. Notwithstanding the gov
ernment has wires aud instruments in all
the departments, as we'll as the White
House, IL paws for its messages the same
as private person. A record is kept at
the nam telegraph office of all teegrams
sent or received, and the bills are sent at
regular intervals to the proper officials.
THE WHITE HOUSE TELEGRAPH BILLS
are paid out of the contingent fund. This
telegraph department is mainly TO eXpe-
dite matters, but the convenience and Sc
crecy which it affords are reasons enough
for its maintenance. If the President
wishes TO send telegram the message is
sent in to Mr.. Montgomery, who. without
a moments loss Of time, s nds IL to the
main office whence 1t is flashed to its des-
tinatiOn. If the telegram is one that re-
Quires the utmost secrecy and expedition,
a request OF The main office is all that is
necessary to connect the White House
direct with the destination of the message.
IL IS the same with messages rece we'd.
ihey come over the wire from
the main Office direct 10 the
White. House and no blue-coat-
ed messenger boys are ever seen bunting
around to get some one to sign their time
papers. In the centre Of Mr.. MontgOm-
ery's desk is a telegraph switchboard, by
which he can form connections in every
direction. AT his right hand as he sits at
the desk stands an instrument which con-
meets with tie Baltimore and Ohio main
office, at his left hand rs one that sends
straight 10 the Western Union office, ana
on the other side OF the switch.bu ard are
three government line instruments. The
one in the middle is connected with the
underground cable, and works better than
any of the others.
TAKING MESSAGES WITH TYPE WRITER
Asa clerk Mr.. Montgomery learned TO
manipulate the type writer, and when he
turned His attention 20 telegraphy be de-
termined TO use IL In connection with his
additional duties. He attempted to print
with the type writer as the messages came
over the wire. The conflicting sounds of
the two instruments confused him at first.
and sometimes be was compelled To drop
the type writer aud take pencil. In order
10 ta.e the message correctly and not 10
delay the sender TOO long. Gradually he
learned 20 work the type writ5r mechaui-
caliN aud 10 pay no attention 10 the sound
10 made, In this way he was enabled 10
put his mind on the message "a 10 came
over the wire, and to give only his fingers
10 the type writer. lie has for months
had type writer before him on his desk
between the W. u. and Is. ~ q. instru-
ments, and has used 10 in receiving
Every message II neatly printed on of.
ic nj telegraph paper. copied In a let
ter book. and then sent at once TO
the President or o. bis secretary. The
telegram may be sent 10 the department
20 which n belongs, but - complete record
Of II Is kept IN the telegram book, with
the date and hour of rs receipt. Mr..
Montgomery has become very proficient
at his dual role, aud can receive at the
pleasure Of the sender. much more RAPIDLY
tnan II he transcribed the MESSAGE Ia the
old way. Otners may have received on
the typewriter before Mr. Montgomery.
but he was certainly the frst TO auccped
m this part Of the country. Several
months ago gentleman in Buffalo who
mad heard OF Mr.. Moutg0uDrsfs proR-
ciency wrote him that be was about to de-
liver an address 10 a shorthand. cOnven-