Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-11-01
RING OFF,.
NJ E. Telephone Company Asks Sub
scribers to Call Numbers.
Sub.Stations and New improvements Re.
Gently Made.

oSA>o" IIHsiduu Telephone COMPANY
has, for some time, felt the inconvenience
o. subscribers calling for the names of
those whose telephones they wish to be
connected with, rather than calling by
the number, as given in the books. OF
course this inconvenience falls upon the
operators who have had to keep the mum
oers In their heads, and In case of an
error, which would be most natural.
under the circumstances. are. sometimes
subjected to censure where none is de-
served. Another thing which troubles
the operators is the failure of subscribers
to ring off, when through conversation.
ihis ringing off, a single, short ring of
the bell, notifies the operator that the
conversation Is concluded, and she can
then close the connection without further
inquiry At present it is necessary for
her to hello or In some way ascertain
whether the parties have finished. In
some cases when she might listen, and
hearing nothing, break in with "Hello,"
she might interrupt upon one or both of
the parties in spell of deep thought or
indecision, and naturally annoy them, but
OF course, with not the slightest intention
OF so doing. If she does pot inquire she
is likely to shut off the connection prema-
turely, and in this way make trouble for
herself, and all concerned. A short ring
of the bell will be all that is required to
notify the operator to dlsconnect.
Another custom, which is generally
adopted by subscribers. in most places, is
that Of saying "Good bye or "Good
day." or something of that order at the
conclusion of telephone conversation
This is very natural, and besides being a
commendable act of courtesy, determines
the end of a conversation where otherwise
one, or each of those talking, might not
know just whether the other was through,
or not. 1t takes precious little time to
say good bye, and costs absolutely moth
ing, but this is matter pertinent solely
to the subscribers themselves, in no way
affecting the operator
In few days, the telephone company
will issue cards giving the numbers and
names of all subscribers of Augusta,
Hallowcll and Gardiner These may be
hung up in convenient place near the
telephone so that one wishing to make a
connection, will have the necessary in
formation right before him.
In the large cities it Is absolutely i'm
possible for operators to memorize the
numbers of the different subscribers, and
all calling is done by number. One,
then learns the telephone numbers of
those he is in the habit of calling up, and
gets to associate with his respondents in
this direction, not only the latter's street
and number, but the number of his tele-
phone. Absent minded persons have been
known to address letters giving the name
of the street, with the telephone, instead
OF the street number.
The number of subscribers In this sec
ton is growing, and wires are being put
up in many places
The uses of long distance work is being
appreciated by the business man, and the
public at large. 1t is now possible to step
to ones telephone, and In few moments,
be in connection with Portland, Boston
and other large cities, completing ones
business In a short time, which heretofore
might necessitate an annoying trip to
these places
Special wires are being leased at GER
tain hours of the day to large business
houses-in fact lines are leased daily by
the year. Already improvements are be-
ing brought out one by one, rendering
the service more complete, and now,
telephone experts arc working on the
problem of simultaneous or multiple
transmission on one wire. This, If
accomplished. will no doubt, cheaper long
distance rates.
The company is to have located auto
matte substations at the following places
Fuller's drug store where sound proof
booth will be placed, into which one can
enter, and talk whatever and as long as
he pleascs; Joseph Young's drug. store on
the East side, and the Guppy drug store
on State street.
State Meeting oil Union Veterans Union.