The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-28

Nothing marks the development of
we'll regulated city so accurately as the
Improvement in its public utilities, such
as its electric lighting plants. its street
car service, its sewerage and water
supply. and it's telephone plant.
The development of this last named
utility I'm Washington has been truly
wonderful Fifteen years ago the tele-
phone was looked upon as a luxury
only a comparatively small number of
business houses had them. and a stiu
smaller percentage Of the residences
and offices of the city. The long dis
lance service was seldom called into
Use. and those desiring to talk to out
of-town parties were compelled to go 70
long distance stations In order 20 get
connection. The wires We're 10 a large
extent uninsulated and OF iron. and the
circuit was formed by grounding the
wires. The central office (there was
but one in those days. was equipped
with the magnetic switchboard, the best
OF its kind at that time, but which
would be almost useless If II had TO
handle the business of today.
Old System Becomes Inadequate.
Gradually the public's conception of
the use OF the telephone seemed to I'M
dergo a change, and the increase in the
number of phones installed in COM
paTatively short time was enormous. 1t
soon became evident that the old sys-
tenn was entirely Inadequate for the
growing needs OF the city. Ever bust
ness house of Importance demanded a
phone. and in numbers of cases small
branch systems of their own were found
necessary. The use of the long distance
became more and more popular until
the demand was such as TO warrant
the adoption OF the service TO the regu-
lar local phone As 10 residence phones,
the system has become so general that
the telephone directory IS almost equal
10 a city directory.
Fortunately for Washington, when the
awakening TO the advantages OF the
phone service occurred. those who
owned the franchise did not improve the
service in a hap-hazard manner, but
systematic way. The following methed
which was adopted for securing the
best results is of interest.
City Mapped Out.
First a large map OF the city was
secured and this was blocked of very
Pc carefully in various colors, indicating
The character of the business of the sew
eral sections The number of teie-
phones in use in each section was set
down ana a conference was called OF
the leading men in the real estate, busi-
ness and financial world. to determine
the probable ratio OF Increase IN each
section, also the relative demand Tor
phones by each class.
On the basis of probable development.
thus ascertained, the city was laid out
in five exchange districts, and an ade-
quate subway system was planned
which would be ample to meet all TIE
demands of the future. This subway
system of wires in the more congested
centers is continued into the buildings,
affordIng a house TO house distribution
that cannot be affected by storms or
other disturbing Influences Insulated
copper wire is now used, affording the
best possible metallic circuit.
I'm four OF the FIVE districts into which
the city was divided, thoroughly equip
ped central stations have been erected
All OF these exchange buildings have
been designed especially for telephone
use and are FIRE proof structures. They
are built SO as TO provide for the super
posing of additional stories should the
growth of the business demand 1t.
What Happens When You Call.
The most approved switchboards have
.been Installed and the operation OF these
Is both simple and rapid. This is .whai
happens when a cali is sent in to the