Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-17

switch, with every line that comes into
the Office.
At present the Augusta exchange has
$50 lines, connected with 500 subscribe
ers ana handling each day 5000 local
calls and 200 tOll-line calls. The
new plant is equipped as it stands
to double the present number of
lines. The three sections of SWITCH
board installed at the start provide for
SEQ lines and the capacity of the full
board of the type adopted could be
brought up to 5000 lines, if ever it were
needed. The present building is con-
s:ructed to handle 800 lines with 800
subscribers, or about 1000 local calls
day. For this it would be necessary
to add four sections of switchboard to
the original three; and. as has already
been said. the structure is designed to
be added to if desirable at any time.
For the present, the toll lines will
come in at one end Of the same switch
board where the local lines enter, but
with expansion a separate board. in
part Of the room by itself. will be in
stalled for the toll business. Here
tofore, the New England company has
central with an eighth working half
time but from now on there will be
chief operator in place of this partial
service.
The operators retiring room, at one
side of the operating room. is an en-
tirely new feature for Augusta. 1t
will include closet space, probably fitted
with steel lockers, and certain rest
! room features such as easy chairs and
| couches. The plumbing is of the most
! approved modern pattern. with both
/ hot and cold water supply.
Another improvement to be instituted
at once is divided ringing" ON party
lines. This is a great advantage to
both subscribers and the company. 1t
is one Of the newest wrinkles in tele-
phory and is a desirable feature which
the single central Office exchange can
| have thai the metropolitan exchange,
made no of number Of central offices.
cannot he given. While the magnetic
hoard was in use it was customary
for subscribers on the same circuit 20
| call each other without the intervention
Of central by turning their bell cranKs
| so as to give the desired number OF
! rings. III course, .uiS Sdiliiot ~ "O'O
! any longer, but the general efficiency
! of the service is greatly increased,
naturally, when the operation OF the
lines is entirely in the hands OF skilled
! girls in the exchange Offices.
| A feature which is expected TO prove
most satisfactory is The pay station ar
rangement in the new building. Ihere
! will be two regular pay station bootns
in charge of pay station clerk
through whom calls may be made.
This is another innovation that Is
step toward metropolitan methods:
The construction of the new buiioing
was directed under the supervision Oh
the bujlding department of the New
England Telephone & Telegraph CON-
pany. in Boston. and of the general
contractors. the Horace Purinton oo'h-
| many. The sub-contractors are: neat
ing. John H. Cogan & Company Au-
gusta; plum bling. Malcolm & Dyer. Au-
lEusta; painting. John Il. Manchester
/ LAugusta: mastering. Manley Nlcnols'
iAugusta: granite. the Halloween Aii .
lite Company: roofing, F. kerhehei q
DSon. lewiston. -
Mr.. Chas III. O'Brion who is deseIS-
edly popular with all patrons OF u'e
Company viii continue as the e"cie''
manager OF the Exchange.