The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-10-28

The telephone girl in Richmond is
no more so far as the Home Tele-
phone company is concerned. The au.
tomato system is now in use, the last
cut-over being made at about 1890
Sunday morning. 1t is true that there
will be a few telephone girls employ
ed by the company to take charge of
the information desk and the toll
desks, but telephone girls in large
numbers have passed into history.
The Richmond telephone patron is his
own boss; can ring as long as he
pleases without fear of the counter
actions Of spiteful telephone girl.
The new system is working we'll, con-
sidering the fact that it is it's first day
in use and Manager VIM. Bailey of
the local company Is highly optimistic.
He thinks all the troubles will have
entirely disappeared within the course
Of few days. Automatic experts in
charge Of the new exchange for the
present are also well pleased with the
prospects. Eighty pcr cent of the
calls registered during Sunday and
Monday we're successful.
the old system Saturday night at ten
thirty o'clock. when the old exchange
boards at the old Office were placed
entirely out of commission. Then,
section by section, the entire new sys-
tenn was cut-over, each section being
tested as the work proceeded. 1t is
thought that this is largely the reason
that there is SO little trouble. The
West Richmond sub-station was the
first to be placed in service, then the
north end ub-station received the at
tention of the experts. The east end
station and the main Office were the
last to be turned onto the new wires.
Little Outside Trouble.
But very little outside trouble has
made its appearance. This one fea-
ture caused much trouble at Akron. O.,
Columbus and Grand Rapids. three
other cities where the automatic has
been placed In service. Only one huE-
tlred and sixty cases of trouble made
their appearance from the outside
Sunday. Fifteen men were constantly
engaged all of Saturday, Saturday
night and the greater part of Sunday,
in watching the wires and remedying
all cases of trouble in differ
ent sections of the city. Six
men are now scattered over the city
testing Eleven automatic experts
from the Automatic Electric company
from Chicago and Columbus, O., are
here taking care of the working ap-
paratus within the exchange. Z. Il.
Near, chief installer Tor the Automatic
company has charge of the inside
work while f. E. Myers. who has been
in Richmond some months @uperin
tending the construction, is aiding in
the work.
Are Making Haste.
There are many troubles making
themselves apparent. but these are
rapidly being disposed of. The great
est possible haste will be used to
place everything in first class shape
at the earliest possible moment.
Along with the great amount of
work and trouble, telephone men
about the time of the cut-over had
much enjoyment out of the affair
Tom Swanner. one of the employees
climbed to Que of the frames at ten
thirty o'clock with champagne bot.
tie In his hand. He raised it aloft ard
brought 1t downward. those Watching
him thinking that he intended christ
ening the new system. Instead of
breaking the bottle he slowly lifted 1t
to his lips and drank the contents
while he then gently tapped the frame
with the bottle. The bottle contained
seltzer water, secured at local drug
store.