The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-29
Providence Telephone Company.

Union street.
The wonderful gen1us and inherent IN
ventive faculty Of the American people In
any particular sphere of science or art Is
not more noticeable or even more fully
exemplified and proven than in the de-
velopment and advancement that has been
made during the past few years In cleo
tricity, its applications to the various
needs OF the human family; and In this
particular M branch has shown such
careful study OF the creative genius OF our
most noted inventors, az that which has
characterized the advance made In the
perfected telephone [service OF today, and
we can truthfully say that no city in the
u. Is. has a more efficient service or a bet
ter equipped and managed one than the
city OF Providence. The reasons for this
are self evident. First, because the Provi-
dence Telephone Co., believing that their
patrons should be supplied with the latest
and most improved appliances I'm order to
insure their continued patronage, every
known Improvement in the telephone SER
vice was at once secured ana applied for
the benefit OF our citizens; secondly, the
company demand OF their employees ce-
lerity In the answer OF calls, courteous re-
sponses, and the immediate adjustment OF
any repairs on the lines, hence II ceases to
be q question of wonderment that the
Providence Telephone Co.. enjoy the
unique distinction of having one OF the
most complete and best equipped tele-
phone exchanges In the world. The Prov
idence Telephone Co. had its inception
in 1880, when an organization was effect
ed, having a capital stock OF s35, 600,
which mount IL was found necessary to
increase from time to time in order to
keep up with the demands made by the
public, for increased and efficient service
until at the present time II is $500, 900. The
first quarters occupied by the company
for their exchange or central station was
in the Butler Exchange building, which
they occupied until April, 1895, when they
moved into their new building located on
the east side OF Union ST., bet ween Fulton
and Washington SITS. The building, which
is OF the Italian Renaissance style of ar
chitecture, Is built OF granite and Indiana
Oolitic limestone for the first story, whi.a
the two upper stories are of white terra
Gotta and brick and il one OF the most
handsome and original in design OF any
in New England. II was built expressly
as a telephone exchange building and is
equipped with all OF the latest and most
improved appliances known in telephone
service aud Is certainly a model one in
every respect. The erection of this build
ing became imperative through the de-
mands made for increased facilities in
their underground and immense switch
board systems. The main entrance to the
building on the ground floor is adorned
on either side by artistic Ionic columns
of polished granite with suitable cap
stones, and leads into a spacious LOBBY,
which has been provided with sound
proof booths for the accommodation of
the public I'm connection with local and
long distance telephone service. ,On the
second story are located the executive ana
business offices of the The
third floor Is devoted to the electricians
department., Incorporating room and dis
tributing room, where all wires terminate,
as well * a retiring room for female. oper-
atives. The immense switchboard with a
capacity of 5000 subscribers Is one of the
most costly and improved s~witchboards
OF any In the country, and WAS installed
at an expenditure OF over $50, 600. the
above amount, together with the Expense
incurred for underground subways with
the necessary cables therein, represent a
total expenditure OF nearly 300, 900.
Through the adoption OF the underground
conduit system the great mass and net
work of overhead wires has been disposed
OF and the possibility OF the interruption
of telephone service through high winds
and storms is a thing of the past, a fact
which IL OF incalculab bic value TO their pa
ron The territory covered by the conn
pany's service comprises the whole of r..
J., as we'll as the towns OF Attleboro, North
Altleboro, in Mass, 600 subscribers be-
ing connected with their service, while
80, 900 calls are answered and connections
made daily In the entire system, %, 900 of
which are made at the central office in
this city. The connection of the Provi-
OhN bhukiOh "Ath a.
suburban exchanges is by means of me-
tallic circuits, insuring to subscribers ab-
solutely perfect service to any point. More
than ordinary attention is paid by the
company to their long distance service,
connections being made with the most
distant cities ut any time, a convenience
which Is certainly appreciated by those Of
our business men whe desire speedy com
munication with business associates in
the various cities of this country. The
quarters which have been provided for
this particular service are equipped with
the most modern improved appliances, as
well as everything that would add to the
comfort and convenience of their sub
ecribers and patrons. An operating force
OF over 90 lady employees is kept con-
stantIy busy making connections and
answering calls for the subscribers. As
an illustration of the liberality of the corn-
pany toward its subscribers we will state
that IL IS the only one in this country
that allows their subscribers to call up
and make connections with their several
suburban exchanges In the adjoining
towns without additional charge. thus in
surfing to them a saving of many thous-
ands OF dollars each year in the form OF
tolls. 1t is just such treatment and con
sideration as the above that has won for
the Providence Telephone Co. the esteem
and confidence of the entire co immunity,
and furnishes a reason for their popularity
with all classes. The board of directors
IL composed of men who are identified
with many Of the great financial and man
Afacturipg concerns OF this State and are
IS follows: Henry c. Cranstop, Henry q.
Russcff,- X. q. Hazard, X. M. Larned, James
ii. Chase, j. Il. Hudson, II. +. Barrows, f..
II. Peckham. Jr., j. W.. Starkweather, AL
bert O. Morgan, Dexter Ii. Potter and
Samuel Il. Colt. The officers are: Pres,
Henry {. CrHnston; vice pres, &ftert II.
Morgan; treas, Chas. +. Howard, and
Albert Z. White, gen. supt. 1t is unneces-
sary for us to say a single word on behalf
OF the above named gentlemen as they
represent i'm themselves the brain capacity
and executive force that has made Provi-
dence q power in the world of trade and
commerce. Nc men stand higher or have
succeeded to snch a marked degree through
honorable business methods i'm meriting
the confidence reposed in them by our
citizens.
Providence Brewing Company.
Harris and Eagle Streets.