Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-07-27
Bv EDITH M. SPENCER

This flashes the cord signal and calls
the attention of the operator who goes in
In cities such as Atlanta and Brming-
ham, where there is more than one cen
trail office, calls are "trunked" from one
exchange to another. The operation of
completing these calls is intricate, and
they are handled in a very different man
ner
When a subscriber In the Main ex-
change calls an Ivy number, the oper-
ator in the Main exchange communicates
with an Ivy operator by call circuit
The Ivy operator assigns trunk, in
serts the plug in the jack of the number
desired and rings the subscribers tele
phone These operations occur almost
simultaneously in the two exchanges.
In telephone work seconds are counted
instead of minutes, and an operator han
dies many hundreds of calls a day. Ever
then the number of errors in the Main
exchange is but one per cent of the total
of calls handled. The operator is under
the strictest discipline and observation
so that the highest efficiency may be pro
duced
Each group of nine operators has STU
pervisor who keeps close, intelligent
watch on the switchboard to see that
calls are answered promptly and prop
erly. Each supervisor is responsible to
the chief operator, who is responsible
for the whole room.
An operators conversation is limited
to certain set phrases, beyond which she
is not allowed TO go. Any question con-
corning subscribers numbers, change of
location and of similar nature are instant
ly referred to the information operator.
Complaints are referred to the complaint
operator, who makes record of the com
plant and files it for investigation and
action.
Though while under the observation of
the uninitiated the precision and dex-
terity of the operators seems nothing
short of superhuman, mistakes are some
times made An operator can answer as
many as five calls a minute during q rush
period, and all without an error. The
twinkling lights appear without a pause
sometimes twelve are glowing at the
same moment before her eyes. In front
of her is maze Of twisting cords which
make a confusion not unlike that Of a
lady's work basket when the silks are
tangled 1t is small wonder that some
times the wrong cord is pulled down. and
a disconnection Is made where 1t was not
desired. Sometimes the wrong number
is rung In her anxiety to handle the many
calls her signals indicate.
These mistakes could we'll be under
stood and forgiven after view of the
efficient seyvice the operators give and
the rapidity with which they handle calls
Nevertheless 1t is the desire of the Bell
Telephone Company to eliminate even
the one per cent OF mistakes made In
their operating service. To secure this
wonderful accuracy the service observa
ton room Is maintained. Different lines
are brought in from the switchboard and
the closest details of connection, time
and errors are noted with stop watches
and records are made without the
knowledge Of the operators or their SUI
pervisors No operator knows when she
Is under observation and new lines and
operators are put under observation ev-
cry day.
The dong distance calls are received
through the long distance operator, who
records the name and number of the call
ing subscriber, and the name and loca.
ton of the person being called. She is
the recording operator" and her record
is taken by messenger to the line
operator to whom It belongs.
The line operator orders up the mum
Der of the calling subscriber. That is,
she has the local operator plug up In the