The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-24
SWAMPED One AND ALL.
Christmas Conversation Nearly Put
Telephones Out of Business.

If you were not sswamped'' today
there must be a reason for it, Tele-
phone companies, express companies,
and the street railway company were
up against almost impossible problems.
Many Christmas presents will not be
delivered tomorrow by the express
companies, many people have cursed
central until they are hoarse and the
postoffice authorities are getting ready
for the biggest day in history for in
coming mail.
Manager Hemphill of the Independ
ent Telephone company reported this
morning, that the biggest load ever
carried by that company was being
carried. It began at $3.50 O'Clock this
morning and this afternoon showed
no signs OF abating. 1t is estimated
that $4,000 calls will be answered to-
day at that office. and it is violating no
confidence to say that there are
lot which are not answered
Even during the flood of 1908 the
telephone girl was not overworked like
she was this morning. Nor was any
swered. The busy time with the tele-
phone companies is usually of two
hours duration in the morning and
the force of girls at work is larger
for this reason. 1t is probably the
busiest time of the day. This morn
ing a dozen extra girls were working
on the boards and could not handle
the business. Working rapidly as
they could and as close as they could
stand by the switchboard they could
not answer the calls.
cts this snow that is giving us the
heaviest load said Mr.. Hemphill. 1--WE
have our troubles just as the gas
company does IN zero weather or the
street car people when there is q
heavy rain Today we have a load of
business that beats anything in the
history of our company There has
been no let up and think it VIII last
all day. I never saw anything IKE II.
people did not go down town this
morning because of the snow. They
are doing their business over the tele-
phone. Then there is the day-before-
Christmas-rush which is considerable.
| Then the regular busy time should be
considered in this connection. BY
considering these three things you can
| form some opinion of the way the
| load has been doubled on US. We are
| doing our 3est to handle it but. 1t Will
| be the biggest day we ever had
! The express companies will make
deliveries tomorrow morning in an ef-
| fort to get all of the Christmas pres
| ents from out Of town to those LOT
whom they are intended. The great
est business ever is reported by all OF
| them and the report was prevalent on
| the street this morning that the various
| companies doing business here were
swamped. This was denied, although
| it was acknowledged in every instance
| that the express u1en WOIC y
| busy But with tomorrow oe!iV
cries it is believed that most of the
presents will reach the consignees. 1t
| will be impossible. however, to get the
goods out today. The packages are
| being delivered from the depots, ano
| are not sent to the local offices of the
| various companies.
|. Bv noon street car traffic conditions
were reported some better But early
this morning it was dlfhcult task &C
| home
and use the telephone, to the places
thev wanted to visit down town SNOW
plows and extra forces of men, now
ever. at last were successful in thell
fight against the snow. ana the FAC!
+ba+ -nov almost ceased falling helped
i some in Fighting traffic conditions.