The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-10

The complaints which are made in one
day against the telephone service in this
city would fill an octave volume. The truth
Of the matter is, the subscribers have never
had anything like convenient and prompt
service since they have had the telephone.
The instruments are convenience and
made such in other cities, but here, they
are more OF worrying torture than u
facility for rapid communication. The diff
ficulty is chargeable TO the poor adjust
ment Of the wires, or TO the non-attcndance
OF the operators TO their duties-this latter
trouble is especially applicable TO the night
operators. For instance, person often has
TO ring hree or four times before he can
get the attention Of the exchange. Then
when message is finished. and both par
ties ring off,, II either wishes to speak TO
another number right away, a ring invaria-
bly, calls the party TO which the person last
talked TO. This Is an annoyance 10 both.
Another very vexatious trouble il the in.
ability OF persons TO understand what each
IL saying. There is constant buzzing and
rumbiing noise sounding in ones ears. At
one moment the articulation will be clear
and distinct, while in the next the voice
will be as weak and indistinct as IL the
speaker were miles away or beneath the
iathomless sea. This trouble grows out of
the TACT that the wires when they become
twisted are not promptly and properly ut
tended 10. The subscribers pay dearly for
their telephones and are entitled 10 q bet
ter and more efficient service.
Mr.. Hume, the new manager who has
just taken Mr.. Cooks place, seems TO be n
young man well acquainted with his bust
ness and most anxious to give the people
good service. lie said yesterday: 81 know
that subscribers have undergone no little
pcrplcxity and trouble, especially during
the past few days. But they must CON
slider that We have been moving into our
new quarters and all the wires were neces-
sarily disauangcd. Since Saturday know
the service has been very bnd and il has
worried mo great deal. We came very
near suffering great calamity, and for the
time there was the widest excitement in
the Office. The people have known nothing
about IL, though, but us the tronblo has
been about repaired, Ill tell you how IL
was caused About 3 o'clock Saturday
afternoon several electric light wires came
In contact with ous, and in almost
an instant the electricity was transmitted
over the wires 10 the sounding board. and
In an instant il was n sheet Of lire. There
were two electricians in the room nj tho
time, but 80 sudden aud 40 intense wns
! the blaze that II seemed that their efforts
TO eNtinguish them would prove futile and
not only the telephone plant, but the
tNnull lao ii.
only thing 20 do was 10 cut all of the
transmittcn. II takes some little time
for the two men TODD this, but they finally
succeeded in doing ~ and the flames werc
eNtinguishcd. 40 YOU see that all Of the
work We had just completed was undone.
II Is very nearly repaired now, aud | In.
tend that the people OF Memphis shall
have just ~ prompt telephone service as
they 10 In other places. Now, ~ 10 the
trouble with the wires. II IL true they
get twisted, but We look closely after that.
| The great trouble Is the electric light wires
coming in contact with oun Our wires
have no effect on theirs, but lust
~ soon ~ theirs get within a certain
proximity 90 ours which IL unavoidable
| by the Swagging Of either set OF wires, all
communication ON our wire X stoppcd.
The danger is greater because these clcc-
tric light wins are liable To communicate
iic over the telephone wirs not only In
our exchange office, but 10 that Of any
house which has telephone In Il. /
have called the attention Of tho Taxing
District authorities 10 this danger, and |
hope they will exercise some restriction
over the electric light company, which
seems 90 have no regard for our WINS nj
all while erecting their own. All Of the
apparatus We have in our Office is new
and Of the latest improvement. II il my
purpose to stop all this complaint by civ.
ing the people good service. hope
they will give me a chance 10 remedy the
evils complained of We have everything
necessary 10 do No, and We will do Il in q
very short time"