Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-09-26

The new automatic system is fast
approaching completion. At the pres
ent time, the work in the central Office
is practically finished and all that re-
mains there to be done is to cut off the
wires which lead to the old manual
switch board, and this will be done as
soon as all the automatic phones are
installed in residences and business
places, and there only remains about
$50 to be placed. President N. Heine-
mann and Manager Crawford are GER
tain this can be done by about Satur-
day. The new directory will be out
and distributed to subscribers on Fri
day. To those who do not happen to
get their new directories before the
cut over is made the PILOT will explain
that in almost all cases, the new num-
Der is found by simply adding 1000 to
the old number No. 2 for instance
will be 1909; No. -, 1912; No. 112, 1112.
However, as it has been necessary to
make a few changes in the old num-
bers, it is desirable that each subscri-
Der has new directory and destroy
the old one. For any information in
regard to change of numbers, or for
any trouble, call up the central num-
Der I'LL.
The PILOT has, on several occasions,
published articles explanatory of the
workings of the automatic system, but
at this time it feels that it would be well
to once more show how to proceed to
call up any number in the system.
There are two kinds of telephones used,
the wall and the desk
AS will be seen in the accompanying
cut, the automatic telephone consists
of the usual transmitter, receiver, bells,
battery and induction coil, with the
addition of the selector calling appar-
atus, which occupies space of 5x5x2
inches just above the battery, about
two-thirds of the space occupied by the
ordinary magnetic generator On the
front of the box is the metal calling
dial of handsome design, 81 inches in
diameter, on the right side of which
and along the edges are ten finger holes
numbered consecutively from 1 to 0.
A stop is provided at the lower end of
the holes to limit the distance which
the dial may be revolved.
To call a number, say 76l, the sub
scriber first takes the receiver from the
hook, then, placing his finger in the
hole No. z, trims it around to the stop
above mention d; releasing it the dial
is instantaneously restored to its orig
inal position by spring. The subscri-
Der is now connected to trunk line
leading to a group of switches which
we may call the seventh hundred group.
In the same manner he then calls and
l in this group. Having turned the
numbers desired, he presses a button
which rings the bell of the person
wanted and the connection is com
pleted. One second or less for each
decimal is all the time required. In
the event that the desired subscribers
phone is busy, buzzing sound in the
receiver notifies the caller that such is
the case.
1t has been about a year and half
since the work of cableing and making
our system metallic, commenced, and
during the time the central office was
moved into another building, and then
the work of changing to an automatic
was commenced about six months ago.
All this has been very detrimental to
the service, but now it is hoped that
Wausau will have the best system in
the state.
There are many things in which the
tenn.
1t is absolutely secret, each subscri-
Der having a private wire over which
to transmit his communication.
The subscriber himself instantaneous
ly connects with the person he wishes
to call, and no one can cut him off.
The switches never make errors;
never gossip; are never tired and
sleepy; never talk back and only give
you "buzz" when the party's phone,
whom you have called, is busy.
The same number of switches will
always be at work whether the hour be
night or day, and they can do all the
business that can be piled upon them.
In a nutshell: The automatic will give
quick connections; instantaneous dis
connections; prompt answers from the
called subscribers, and the busy signal
is promptly given where the subscriber
is actually busy.
Every telephone instrument will be
supplied with apparatus suitable for
long distance talking. Heretofore the
Wisconsin company has only had one
copper and one iron circuit over which
to do business with the outside world.
This has been very annoying and long
waits were unavoidable. Now the com
pany has just completed four addition
al copper wire circuits from Wausau to
Stevens Point which connects with the
main line. One of the lines continues
on to Merrill, Tomahawk and Rhine
lander, thus giving the valley excellent
long distance service. The Wisconsin
company has agreed to give the Wis
cOnsin valley direct wire to Milwau-
kee which viii give any of the cities
along the river direct connection
with that city.
ADVANCE IN RATES.
At recent meeting of the directors
of the Wausau Telephone company it
was decided to make a small advance
in the monthly rate. Heretofore for
long distance apparatus attached, the