Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-11-03
TELEPHONE COURTESY.

There are forms of etiquette pre-
scribed in every line of business and in
our social and industrial life in its every
phase. These forms are observed more
or less by every business or professional
man and by the common herd in
dealings with one another. These
forms differ 20 suit the business one is
engaged in, or the company in which
he moves. There is no legal status Civ
en- to the mode of construction, outline,
or distinctive character of these usages.
They are the result of the judgment of
those directly interested. One may
overlook the faults in brother but he
cannot forgive breach in the rules of
every day life with others outside his
own family. That is human nature.
AS old Col. Breckenridge, of Ken
lucky, said ''It is, human to err
Some err through mistaken ideas.
Others through the common practice of
others. In either case the error is not
excusable. Getting down to hardpan
and to reach the point we started out to
attain. we want to call attention to
| mistaken principle in the usage of our
telephone system,
Wausau has the only automatic tele-
| phone liue in the state, If we except a
small concern in the village of Medford.
1t should be the pride Of every citizen,
for it is simple to use, accurate and no
delays are caused in getting the person
wanted. One, to appreciate it, must
go away from home and see the work
ing of other systems Now, to get to
the point There are certain common
rules TO guide users of telephones. One
of these is, when calling party, to give
him your name or house as soon as he
answers, that he may know who he is
talking TO. This is little act Of cour-
tesy. Jim Jones may know John
Smith by sight and Smith may not
know Jones at ALL yet if Mr.. Jones de-
sires to speak with Mr.. Smith on the
the street he will approach him and say,
81 believe this is Mr. Smith; my name
is JONES' Thus he introduces himself
and the two become acquainted. The
same form Of etiquette should prevail
in using telephone. Another rule is,
when you are called to the phone and
you get the inquiry, with whom ami
talking % to give your name. If Jones
addresses Smith, Jones being stranger
to Smith and the latter inquiries "What
may your name be % Jones, if he be a
gentleman, will readily inform him. If
he answers, None of your bust
ness" Smith takes it for granted
that Jones is not gentleman
and will pass on his. way, the
conversation at once ceasing. These
two rules are daily being violated in
this city, causing numerous complaints.
The automatic system is secret There
is no way by which the central Office
employees can tell who the parties are
that are talking, and therefore the COM
pany cannot investigate complaints.
But move is on foot at present to
apply some remedy-just what, will be
determined later. But the company,
before taking any stringent measures,
urges upon all its patrons to observe the
rules mentioned You owe it to your
self as a gentleman or lady to do so.
Substituting yourself for Jones, you
would not lower yourself in the estima
ton of the other party, and you should
not in the use of the telephone. If you
ask party his name and the answer
comes back over the wire, None of |
your business or cit don't make any |
difference" hang up the receiver. You
are justified in doing SO.
The company has planned an improve |
ment on its Schofield line which will be |
carried into effect in the near future.
1t is proposed to rebuild the line, set /
ing higher poles, so as to get away from
the influences of the street railway COM |
pany's trolley wire. In this work the |
Wisconsin Telephone Co. will CO.
operate with the local company The |
Wisconsin company will use the top |
cross arms. The rebuilding of the line |
will give the people of Schotield and
those of the city who use the line, a |
greatly improved service.