Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-15
A CHINESE TELEPHONE.
New Chinese Exchange Opens in
San Francisco.

San Francisco.
The new Chinese telephone exchange
in San Francisco is open and ready fol
business, after months of preparation
The exchange differs from all others "
that city, or in the world, in that it 1s
gorgeous with oriental beauty and a
marvel of luxurious good taste and
splendor. The telephone company has
made it a point to make the new ex-
change one of the show places in China
town, reports the San Francisco Chroni-
Gle. 1t has spared no expense to obtain
this result and Chief Ems neer Cantin
under whose direction the work was
done. feels just proud of the results of
his labors.
The new exchange is in the three
story building at 743 Washington street.
which has been refitted and decorated
by its owners to be in ac' ord with the
remainder of the building. The en-
trance to the exchange is up a long flight
of narrow stairs, at the head of which is
6 gayly decorated sign in Chinese letters
announcing the presence of the tele-
phone, which. strangely enough, is one
of the most popular of the American in
Ventions among the Chinese.
On entering the ante-room one is met
by a smiling and bowling functionary,
whose sole duty it is to make visitors
welcome. Close by the door is richly
carved teakwood table, on which are
kept tobacco and cigarets and a nest OF
tea bowls, while in silk-covered caddy
rests a large teapot. which IS always
kept filled with tea Of good quality.
Tea and tobacco are always served to
visitors. a complement of hospitality
without which no Chinese business
transaction is complete.
AT the extreme end of this room, on an
altar of considerable size and great rich
ness, a richness of gold and silver and
red lacquer, rests joss whose special
duty Is to guard and care for the inter-
ests of those who send speech over the
wires. To many of the Chinese the tele-
phone still holds, to a certain degree, its
qualities of the supernatural, and the
presence of joss is not luxury, but a
prime necessity.
Before going into the telephone room
itself a brief inspection of the rooms in
the rear of the reception room is rot
without interest In the extreme rear is
There is an equally diminutive dining
room. and likewise bedroom, in which
are four small hunks. This is where Loo
Kun Shu, the manager of the exchange,
lives, with his assistants. They are al
ways on duty and the exchange is never
closed from years end to years end
The front room, in which is placed the
switchboard. is the most attractive fea-
ture of the place. 1t is gayly decorated
with dragons and serpents, there are
rare lanterns hanging from the ceiling.
in which electric lights have been
placed, making a contrast of modernity
and antiquity.
The walls are hung with banners.
Along one side of the room is a row of
teakwood chairs with cushions of silk,
while near the switchboard are the small
black stools which are to be seen all over
the Chinese quarter. The switchboard
itself is exactly like those in the other
exchanges in the city, except that the
operatives are men and Chinese. They
use the same cry of Hello" in answer
to Gala pleasant tone, cheerful and
good-humored.
The work of the exchange would drive
en- American operator insane. For, in
addition to the 255 numbers on the ex-
change, there are at least 125 telephones
which are either in Chinese lodging
houses or in clubs. The operatives have
nearly 1900 names to remember, toget tn
er with their owners place OF residence.
For example. Woo Kee rings his tele-
phone and says he wants to talk to
Chung Hi Kin. He gives no number, for
Chung lives in some big tenement and
las no telephone number. 1t is the duty
Of the operative to remember all these
names and it is claimed he does SO with
out effort.
The Chinese telephone company has
been in existence since 1887 and has
slowly made it's way, moving from place
to place as it's increasing business made
larger quarters necessary. Mr.. Loo
Kun Shu has been the manager for the
last eight years. He speaks English
without a trace Of accent and is g man
of great intelligence. He is very proud
OF his new quarters and never tires Of
showing visitors about the place.