The Worcester spy., 1899-03-19
THE BEST.
The Local Telephone
Exchange
ITS MANAGE MENT.
How the Night Operators
Are Entertained.

The recent installation in various
western cities, Of telephone switch
boards similar to the one in use in the
Worcester exchange Office, has been a
subject for much glorification with
western newspapers of late.
To Worcester people, the matter of
improved switchboard systems is prac-
ticaAy old, and at present, when west
ern people marvel at the advance in
appliances of this sort, telephone men
in the east are looking for still greater
improvements. The Western Electric
Company's light system is a splendid
one. and at the present time is without
a peer, from switchboard stand
point.
The first regularly installed exchange
to make use of this system, which is
furnishing so much food for reflection
in the western states, was Worcester.
The system was installed something
less than three years ago, and even at
the present day, furnishes an interest
ing spectacle to many who have never
seen it's working.
Not only is the Worcester exchange
up to date from a point of appliances,
but 1t Is also one of the leading eX-
changes in the New England territory.
The growth of the local exchange dur
ing the past year or so surpasses all
past records, and goes to show that
business men appreciate that time is
money.
The operating force in the local ex-
change at the present time numbers 80.
During the day, 13 local and long dis
tance operators are constantly en-
ployed. A substitute operator is al
ways on duty, so that in case of an op-
orator being called away from the
switchboard, if only for a moment, her
place is instantly supplied.
A short time ago the local manage
ment devised new plan with the idea
of improving the operating service. The
plan was to have separate and distinct
forces of operators to handle the sys
tenn at different hours of the day, the
same operators to handle the same sub
scribers every day.
Ontll the change was made, operators
worked certain evenings during the
week and Sundays, for which they were
allowed certain amount of time off
each week. By the present arrange
ment, there is a permanent night force,
aAO lliC llldIlSI VI udyb OI is QOlle away
with. Operators are asked to work
Sunday hours about one in two months.
AS with every other line of work, tele-
phone subscribers have an idea that
particular operator gives them better
service than any other, and 1t was with
this in view that the plan was put in
operation to have certain girls handle
certain number of subscribers constant
ly. The operator grows familiar with
the wants Of her subscribers and is able
to anticipate, in many instances, just
what number is desired.
The first batch of operators comes in
at o'clock and works until 5 o'clock,
another force comes in at o'clock IN
the morning and works until o'clock
at night. One-half the day force goes
home at 5 o'clock, whicn would of
course leave more work than could be
conveniently handled by the remain
ing half but by the new arrangement
the night force consisting of six oper-
ators, comes in at o'clock and re-
mains on duty until 9 o'clock in the
evening. This force helps out during
the busy hour from to 6 o'clock, and
handles the business Of the early eve
ming. At 8 o'clock three operators
come on duty who handle the service
until o'clock next morning.
The night operators position is some
what tedious on account of lack of en-