Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-06-11
TELEPHONE IN RAILROAD USE
It's value is Exploited by T.. ~. KOrty.
superintendent of Union
Pacific Telegraph.

The calling together OF Union Pacific
trafic officials and employees to listen to
instructive papers Of intense interest by
the head officers in the various depart
mcnts proved most popular with the en-
ployes. over l50 were present wednes-
day evening at the Commercial club
rooms to listen to the papers one OF
the most interesting TO the public was
the discussion on telephopes, led by l..
II. Korty, superintendent OF telegraphs
and telephones on the Union Pacific Mr..
Korty said
The telephone is becoming a most valu-
able aid in the Operation of trains IN
large yards and terminals, and quick work
ia necessary because Of the constantly in
creaslng volume of business,
It is most necessary that the train dis
patcher telegraph office. yardmaster, car
inspector, roundhouse. towers and switch
shanties Should be supplied literally with
telephones. BY liberal use OF the tele-
phone between these much time often may
be saved for freight conductors and whole
train crews and also in expediting the
starting Of trains.
in connection with the automatic block
system now being installed, as they will
place the dispatcher IN close touch with
the non-teleEraph stations.
Portable telephones may also be placed
on trains for use on these wires In
emergency cases
ON some other sections of the road IL
is contemplated to introduce the oom-
posite system by means Of which one wire
may be used simultaneously for telegra PHI
ing and telephoning. Trains will be
equipped with portable composite telephone
apparatus, enabling conductors TO reach
the dispatcher or nearest telegraph ONCE.
Several composite circuits are already in
use on this road, whereby in each case,
several stations on q district are thus
connected with the dispa tcher and much
valuable use derived therefrom by the dis
patchers and trainnien comforting with
each other. Where the use OF the COM
posite is impracticahie, the most econom-
ical arrangement is to string a single iron
wire between a siding and nearest tele-
graph bfflce and connect with telephoness;
This places trains at sidings WITHIN reacn
OF the dispatcher
are In progress on this road which, II Is IL
that will mske 1t possible for the en-
gineer and conductor TO successfully carry
on conversation and compare their under
A wreckinE car on each division lie sup
piled with two portable telephones, ana 2
reel carrying one-quarter mile OF insulated
wire for use at wrecks. washouts, etc,
which are used to place the temporary
telegraph office in communication with the
repair work. the covered wire oelns
stretched along the ground. The arrange
ment keeps the division ofhce promptly ad-
vised as to the progress of repairs, etc.
The movement of trains by telephone
orders in certain localities under proper
safeguards Is possible. and Is already beins
done on some roads. On the Union racine
between Council Bluffs and Gilmore in
conjunction with the block signal system
| the movement of trains is very greatly IA
! cilItated by use of telephones by the dis
patcher in one of the towers.
Oficial and private cars. while standing
\ on side tracks at important terminals, may
| be quickly connected with private branch
! exchanges. or local and long distance lines
I thus giving the occupants of such cars
| telephone service as at their offices OF
4 homes Such an arrangement is in vogue
at the Omaha Union station.
! division and district Terminals would anord
| departments in giving orders and eXchang
| ing information which now overburden the
| telegraph wires. l look forward to the
| time. in the not distant future, when tbs
| telephone service OF the Union Pacific will
i be co-extensive with that OF the telegraph
| with long distance telephone circuits alonG
! the main lines capable Of eetisfa ctory us,
between the extreme limits OF the road
| not a rival Of the telegraph but rathel
! as an auxiliary thereto, and as a direct and
| quick means for personal conversat tioni
between officials agents and others. Eacf
! system has its particular advantage ovei
the other the telegraph being the best
! where a record is required.
! From the foregoing II will be seen thai
\ the telephone can be utilized in many wayi
| TO great advantage on railroads. Futur,
! requirements in this line, both as to UTILITY
| and economy, will suggest themselves froU
| time to time and these cases should b,
| brought to the attention Of proper parties
! for consideration.