The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-21
TELEPHONES ON THE
MOST MODERN Plan.
Rapid Increase in the Sunset
Company's Business.
Al Increase ~ One-ThiR1 n the
Number Of 'Phenes In seattle mas
Required Many More Operators
New Exchange - Ne Erected Ana
Underground System InstalIeA-
ExtenatnG Long Distance Lioee.

Telephones have become such an essen
cal Iart OF the machinery OF modern bust
ssss hat they are used Ia every imagin-
able transaction. An increase in tile num-
Der and IA the extent TO which ,aey are
used - therefore sure Indication OF husi-
sess activity. for they are the puEss OF the
people The business Of the Sunset Tsls-
phone Z Telegraph Company. which op-
crates the local telephone service In Seat
tie aad the long distance lines throughout
tie Pacific Northwest. was one Of the nrA
20 feel the good effects Of the general re-
viva. The number Of phones IN use IN
the city on January l. ls9s. was about .5uu.
bat on June II had increased TO 2.ooo.
Thai the tremendous pressure caused by
tfla rah 10 Alaska kept these phones
busy and made the exchange one OF the
busiest on the Pacific coas. il proved by
the fact that about 200 switches are
made daily and the corps OF operators has
beer increased by tgenty-four so far this
year.
To handle this immense business smooth
ly and swiftly has required constant in
p-ogeu1efsi or LIS, serys ICE UI4ts. Tow sils
system is as nearly perfection as electrical
invention can make 1t with overhead wires.
The city lines havs a complete metallic
circuit and in addition to the present CEN
trail exchange at Yesier way and Occ.-
dental avenue. there are TWO suo-stations,
one al Third avenue ana Pike street the
other al Fifth avenue north and Denny
way. There is a bureau OF information.
the phone number OF winch Is Special
coo" the operators in which have DO duty
excep. to inform ssIbsc.I beers Of changes In
numbers new numbers, etc One mans
sole duty Is 20 attend ID line and instru-
merit troubles ard under him staff OF
expert inspectors takes care OK the lines
already in operation. Another foreman,
with staff OF expert inemen and instru
ment men, puts in new phones and wires
ard maintains the outside work aud keeps
il up 10 the standard. Inspectors also reg
ulariy report on the service and on the
lines and instruments Of subscribers.
Seattle Ii also connected by long DIS
tanca telephone lines with every impor
tart town In Washington. Oregon and
Idaho where II arly HOO phones are T.
use, and a separate operating department
Ii maintained for this system. Important
extensions are beng made. including
new through line from Seattle to San
Francisco. giving connection with so
towns in California. a eew through line
from Seattle 10 Spokane and a new line
between Everett and WhatCom. ,
But. good as the system already IS. tbs
company has begun the expenditure Of
5000 ir Seattle in making II still better
and in providing for the prospective In
crease OF some years 10 come. An under
ground system Will be constructed in the
city, In The latest improved conduits. with
a manhois at every block. the cables be-
Ing prepared 10 handle more than double
the capacity OF the presea: plant. When
this change is completed, the overhead
wires. which have long been a menace TO
freu,en and an eyesore on the streets. Will
De taken down.
Is The cables from this new system will all
l. IT,. I.S nj Iar lcr
two-story office building OF Roman brick.
which will be erected at the corner OF
Third avenue and Spring street and Will be
fitted up and adapted for the telephone
business with view 20 making !, a COM
pete modern exchange. The entire sec
ord aoor viii be used as an operating
room, where d new modern limited express
switchboard viii be placed. having the
latest and most approved machinery
known tn te,ephon!ng for the rapid hand
ling OF switches. The ground tioor viii!
be used for the superintendent and gen
eral business offices.
Seattle is one % the division headquar-
teFs or the company. the business or King.
Snohorn:sh. Skaeit and Wh@teom counties
being ntaEaged from here by r. {. Ml!iard
the division superintendent. who has one
Of the. largest payrolls IN the city. The
general offices are IN SAN Francisco and
are in charge OF John | Sabn. the presi-
dent and general manager. Louie Glass.
,she assistant general manager: and John
Lawrence. the general superintendent