Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-11-15
Taking a Census
Of the Year 1920
Maps Which the Probable Location of Every Telephone
Thirteen Years Hence is Noted

street where the exchange theoretical
ly should be is already so expensive
that it will seem cheaper In the end to
pay little more for the extra mile
age and locate the building few
blocks away Such considerations
have constantly to be balanced against
each other.
study must be made, for wherever
public support of the telephone JUST
| fies the much more expensive form OF
construction, the wires are being laid
under ground. Many cities, of course,
which now have the overhead wires
will, long before 1920. be provided
with underground facilities. Many
others which already have some I'M
foreground mileage will have acquired
much more OF 1t. The ideal is con-
duit system reaching every block in
the city with minimum Of trench
work. But again there are likely to
be local conditions modifying such a
scheme. Sometimes for example, it
some distance out of the way to
avoid blasting ledge or laying con-
duit over bed of quicksand
A thorough switchboard study must
be made In order that the complex sys-
tenn Of lines may be properly intercon-
nected This is based on the types
now prevailing in the Bell system, for
the engineers recognize that whatever
may be said in favor of the so-called
automatic" switchboard for very
small exchanges in rural neighbor-
hoods, it is unlikely to play an impor,
tant part in the future. A series of
about 1900 service tests on manual
switchboards and automatic switch
boards operating under practical CON
ditions in different parts of the coun-
try has shown that the manual sys-
tenn possesses a far greater degree OF
reliability than the automatic. Hence
the familiar boards, with drops or
signal lamps according to the size of
the exchange district, have been as
sumed. AZ
Building plans follow. These -fiust
be so designed that the switchboarGs
and their operators will be adequately
housed. Offices must be provided for
an executive force with departments
of traffic, construction and mainten-
ance. the size OF these depending upon
the probable development of the dis
trict. II Is also learned from the mum
future traffic. about how many oper.
ators will be needed. The last named
investigation concerns the probable
telephone use of the community, in
GLIDING the growing Importance oil
toll communications and the changing
character of services. the lower grades
of which tend to disappear as the tele
phone habit becomes fixed in com
munity. Such studies are an essen
tial part of the calculations, for one
operator with 100 lines at one ex
change of different type may have JUS
an ordinary load
Not only Is the number of operators
predetermined but the extent of foo
space which win be required for thei
lunch rooms. rest rooms and lockers
The size of the accounting depart
ments Is also forecasted. for the mum
Der OF clerks and bookkeepers needle,
is proportioned to the lines involve,
and the messages handled. The spec
ifications for exchanges which hav,
thus been formulated. sometimes NOR,
than a decade In advance, are held Ii
readiness to be turned over. with sucl
cancellations as have been neoessi
tated, to an architect when the occa
sion for building arrives.
The theoretical plans, based on
long term of years, do not compet,
the telephone census There thei
comes up the question of how much o
the ultimate study must be utilize,
right away and how much can be lef
until demanded by the expanding bust
ness. That involves a second set o
elaborate studies generally based upol
a period three years ahead.
Considerable sums OF money will
have to be set aside out of the saving,
of the American people in the mex
few years, in order to give them tn,
telephone service for which they ar,
clamorfng. The necessity of spending
this money wisely. instead OF wastias
1t by hap-hazard methods. render.
such forecasts as these now going oil
or lately completed among the CON
panies of the Bell system OF incalcu
liable value.