The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1907-02-08
1T WILL BE DIFFERENT.
When Telephone Systems are Rebuilt
No More Ruffled Tempers
Then.

Then.
During the last month there has
been noticeable difference in the
eficie cy of telephone service in
Corvallis. Many times each day
kicks are registered at central from
al directions, and the employees are
kept working over time to clear the
lines. Hardly a day passes but
what number of people ring up
central, if they can, to roast the
company because their line doesn't
work or they can't get some one.
At seven o'clock one morning there
were over thirty trouble calls re-
presenting sixty different telephones
out of whack and this continued
during the day. No wonder that
the hello girls" have difficulty in
keeping their sweet falsetto voices
tuned to soothe the wrath of the
subscriber. Of course they are
paid for being pleasant but realizing
that the subscriber has a right to
kick makes it all the more difficult
for them to meet the situation, and
then too, when the girls are work
ing they have no time to discuss
troubles, because while they are
explaining TO oDe subscriber pro-
baby two or three others are kept
waiting and thus her troubles are
multiplied.
If the public only understood
what is the occasion of present diff
! fculties they would doubtless be
more considerGte at any rate save
,heir own tempers. AS is we'll
known both telephone companies
are doing considerable work on
their lines in the way of improve
ments and betterments. The result
of this is obvious. As soon as the
improvements have been completed
the service will be better than ever
and though peoples patience may
be taxed to the limit, the result
will be more satisfactory service
with a lessened probability of
troubles hereafter. The demand
for telephones has far exceeded the
most sanguine expectation of the
independent Company and to meer
this increasing demand, the i'm
provenent Of the system was nee
essary. In doing this work it is
! absolutely impossible for the line
men Of either company ard those
making connections at terminals to.
|, avoid interfering with the old wires
. ard when telephone wire is touch
ed by another wire the telephone
: is out of con1uissi9n as long as the
false connection continues This
: not only applies to wires Of city
: subscribers but to far mer lines as
t we'll. The Independent company
and its employees are using every
reasonable pfecaution in making
5 these changes but even then trouble
5 is unavoidable because many times
| unknown to tn work
: men. 1t will take some time vet to
complete present Improvements but
the work Is being hurried as B1uch.
as possible aud the public is asked
to be patient.
One feature Of the Improvement
is the substitution OF cables for the
open wires. Thee cables consist
of a lead tube containing from 2S
!, TO 100 pairs ofwiras, and wires run
ming through cables are absolutely
protected from contact from other
wires that IS the inevita lesaquenea
Of a wi. .dstorm
At this time the Independent
Company's switch board is over
taxed but additions are being made
SO that all applicants will be accom-
modated within a very short time
Surveys for long-distance wire
from Portland to Corvallis have
been finished and tie line is now
, completed 10 point between Al
.. bany and Salem Work is pro
crossing at the rate of a rniIe day
This line consists of FIVE separate
circuits so 1hat it will be buta short
time untilCotvalIis has Independent
long distance connections with all
the principal towns Of the valley
including Portland. The fact thai
this long distance wire is Of copper
5 and so run as to avoid all electric
light and power wires, will render
its talking quality IS neery per &c:
5 as it is possible TO ootaiu. When
: completed conversations between
S Corvallis and Portland should be
S just as clear as between two points
l in Corvallis.
The Independent Company is al
ways glad to have subscribers re-
t port any trouble. They are more
:. anxious than the subscribers, to
4 have good service and it is their
i aim at all times to have the service