The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-01-15
Of
TELEPHONE
Large Percentage Increase
in Number of In
StruTnentS.

Among the satisfactory evidences of
the return of prosperity which has
been the distinguishing feature of the
year 1909 is the growth in the tele-
phone industry.
Statistics showing the growth of the
Southern Bell Telephone and Tele-
grapth company during the year in
Florida, are highly interesting. The
company operates in seven states and
at the end of the year, besides afford
/ ing connection with thousands OF
nfeeitnatt S6 AZ Win other companies outside
of its territory and with its own sys-
tenn within its territory, there were
1900 telephones connected with its
system in Florida.
In the direct exchange service fur
nished by the company the. number OF
| telephones in Florida at the beginning
Of the year was 7,043 and the growth
1905 or 1910 per cent. This was the
largest percentage of growth recorder
in any state in which the company op-
crates.
There are seven times as many
farmers telephone stations in Florida
as at the beginning of the year.
Figures by states are not available
yet as to the growth in the number
of stations within their territory op-
Grated by other companies with which
the Southern Bell connects, but the
number at the end OF the year in Flor
ida was 10,S22, while the percentage
of growth in such connected stations
for the company as whole was 1914
per cent.
The company during the year made
connection through its toll lines with
thirty-three points within the state
not hitherto reached.
Perhaps the most interesting fea-
tUre of the growth, however, is the
TOT or long distance business, the
gross receipts from which increased
2l.1 per cent. This has an important
bearing upon the resumption Of gen.
eTal prosperity. The exchange service
rendered by telephone company does
not respond quickly to changes in bust
ness of a comprehensive system and
few business men could afford to dis
pense with this facility, and when bust
ness is increasing the need for addition
al facilities in this direction is not al
ways suppl ! as soon as it is felt.
On the other hand, the long distance
( business of q comprehensive system
responds instantly to every fiuctuation
! IN business conditions and probably
affords the best SINCE barometer of
business activity extant. 1t is in this
connection that an increase Of over 20
I per cent since 1908 affords reason for
congratulation in showing how great
( has been the improvement in the dis
tinctively Southern field covered by
! this company.
( The COmprehCnSiyGnes of a tele-
| phone system is its most important at
tribute next TO its efficiency. 1t is es-
/ sentiaI thai the subscriber to a given
exchange should be able to reach not
only as many people as possible in the
same exchange, but also that facilities
( for commercial communication should
eXis,, in connection with this service,
to as many telephones elsewhere as
possible. The efforts of tie southern
+ Be in this direction have been note
worthy. Owing to the many estab.
/ ushed companies which. during the
/ year were brought no this connection
/ for the first time, the growth in the
number Of telephones connected by
this branch Of the service has been at
/ rate more than twice as rapid as its
1 own exchanges. While these cOnnec-
tions may be moderately profitable to
( both of the companies making them
| through the increase in toll line busI-
I ness resulting. the real gamer is the
public which thereby receives a more
| comprehensive service.
J Perhaps the most remarkable tele-