Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-06-03
The Alexandria Telephone Exchange

n VI VIZ >'-hf-@S~ - -
ing some time to spare an evening or so
ago utilized it most probably and
to his intense interest by paying visit
to the Southern Bell Telephone Office
in this city and having the modus oper-
andi of this most wonderful invention
explained to him-that is as far as he
could comprehend it. The genial SUI
perintendent, Mr. P. H. Sullivan, went
to much trouble to explain the work
ings of the new and improved switch
board, marvel of ingenuity, which has
recently been placed il the office by
which communication can be procured
with any part of the city literally in the
twinkling of an eye. The efficient
and accommodating Central" Miss
B, tic Keyes, was seated at the switch.
board busily engaged in opening and
closing circuits, as the "calls" almost
momentarily poured in upon her. One
hundred and twenty stations were rep
resented before her and the rapidity
with which she opened and closed the
circuits was marvellous. When "call"
comes in, small plate about an inch
in diameter falls down from the annun-
ciator disclosing the number of the tele-
phone from which the call proceeds.
The operator wears what is called q
shead telephone" This is the ordinary
transmitter connected with the instru-
ment in every day use, and is fastened
on the head by means of clasps, so that
the operator may not lose a second of
time when she is "called up" Eye,
ear and hands are constantly at work.
The switchboard is large, beautiful
piece of mahogany fame work pierced
with innumerable holes, each one of
which has its own number. The lnser-
ton of small pin in one of these aper-
lures opens the circuit and places the
instruments, wherever they may be, in
communication. When the converse
ton ceases the peg is removed and the
circuit is of course closed. BY the i'm
proved method the bell announcing
that your request has been received by
Central" and that calling up the party
with whom you wish to converse are
rung simultaneously. An improved
annunciator case with twenty tubu-
lar drops in conjunction with the
new switchboard renders the tele-
phone service of Alexandria as
complete ms that of any in the country.
But these are not all-every station Is
to be rewired and many extensive I'M
provemcnts arc to be made on the line
in the way of wire protectors, &c. Con-
ncction is now complete with all the
surrounding country, our people being
able to stand in their stores and con-
verse with friends OF correspondents in
Warrenton and other places in Eau
quier county, Prince William and Fair
fax. Alexandria for long-distance tele-
phoning is conveniently situated. BY
modern improvements 4 conversation
can now be carried on with Baltimore,
Philadelphia or New York with more
satisfaction than it could be with the
Midland depot or points in our own
city n year or so ago. Philadelphia
was called up and the reporter re-
ouested to carry on conversation
with an official in the city of brotherly
love-onc hundred and forty-live
miles away-and there was not the
slightest difficulty experienced in hear
ing or in being heard. Another ad-
junct to the service which is soon to be
placed at the disposal of the Alexan-
dria patrons of the Telephone En-
change will be what is known as a
long-distancc cabinet or booth into
which one can enter. close the door and
carry on conversation with Washing
ton, Baltimore, Philadelphia or Chica-
90. By this arrangement the strctest
privacy is secured, the persons voice
being inaudible to those in the room.
The telephone has come to stay, as its
utility is demonstrated more and more
as the years go by. 1t was brought
to Alexandria in November, 1881, and
began operations with twenty-five sub
scribers. That is appreciated is shown
by the fact that twenty-three of the
original twenty-five subscribers still use
the "phone." To-day there are one
hundred and twenty connections, the
wires running into every part Of the
city, to Mount Vernon and to the Theo-
logical Seminary, and so familiar have
subscribers become with the merry
Jingle of the call bell that most of them
wonder how they ever got along with
out it. The silly assertion that Alex
andria is in the rear guard in the march
of progress isjustly refuted in the histo-
nv of the telephone. 1t was introduced
into several Virginia cities simultane-
ously with disappearance in Alexandria.
1t has stayed here and has had a healthy
growth, while in most of the other
places it proved short-lived and was
soon dispensed with. Its convenience
and practicability are incalculable for
commercial purposes, while in sudden
energies, such as the summoning OF
physician, for instance, it is Invaluable,
and more than one person hereabouts
owes his life to the wonderful instru-
ment. 1t will be remembered that on
one occasion in this city boy who had
been nearly drowned was attended by
physician who lad been hastily sum-
moned by telephone, and who resus-
citated the youth. Had time been con-
sumed in running after the doctor in
the old-fashioned way the youth would
never have been revived.
REFINEMENT OF THE DAVIS CHILD
REN.-The remains of Joseph, William
Henry. and Samuel Emory Davis, sons