Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-07-27

orators sit. The upper part of the switch
board is arranged with rows of metal
trimmed holes in groups of one hundred
each, and each hole in every group or
bank" is numbered from 20" to "99."
The groups are divided by perpendicular
strips numbered from co. up. For in
stance, one bank" is numbered 90 and
the holes in this bank correspond to
the telephones numbered from 20" to
$50" The holes in bank" numbered
Il" correspond to the telephones bearing
numbers from 100" to '199.' These
holes are known as multiple jacks" be-
is complete in itself and contains "mul-
tipe jacks" to correspond to all the tel
ephones in use in the exchange.
Below the multiple jacks is another
series of metal-rimmed holes, or an
swering Jacks" While the multiple
jacks" as has been explained, are ar
ranged in multiple, there is but one AN
swering jack" to each telephone. Below
each answering jack is a small cleo
trio light which gows to give the sig
nal when receiver is taken from
subscribers hook
A shelf or table is constructed at right
angles to the switchboard proper and at
a height of about four feet. This ex-
tends along the entire board just below
the answering jacks" Each section of
the switchboard is divided into three 'po-
sitions," to each of which an operator is
assigned On the desk, at the rear of
each position" close to the switch
board, the connecting cords are arranged,
Each cord terminates in two plugs ar
ranged in pairs. IN front of each pair
of cords are two corresponding rows of
lights, known as cord signals. The tips
of these lights showing above the surface
of the position like the line signals,
are about quarter-inch in diameter.
Each operator is connected to the
switchboard by her phone set.
breast transmitter" is suspended around
her neck and the mouth of it is on
level with her lips. A fat receiver is
fastened over one ear by band pass
ing over her head. Both hands are free
for the dexterous precision necessary.
This is the scene of action, and here it
is that the quiet heroine of modern life
serves the often unappreciative public.
When a subscriber removes a receiver
from his telephone hook, the hook flies
up and establishes a contact which sends
a current through the wire and lights the
line signal corresponding to the answer
ing Jack bearing his telephone number.
The operator picks up the rear, or an
swering, cord, inserts the plug in the jack
above and repeats the familiar phrase,
Number, please?"
At the same instant she picks up the
front, or calling, cord and inserts the
plug in the multiple jack bearing the
number desired by the subscriber While
doing this she has thrown her listening
key If the line is busy, her test pro
duces a decided and continued click, and
she Immediately informs the subscriber
THE line is busy If low humming
sound is heard in making her test she
knows at once that the line is out of
order and makes her report If neither
an out of order or busy test is received
the operator closes the listening key and
rings the line she is calling.
The line signal automatically goes out
when the answering cord is inserted in
the jack After the insertion of the call
ing cord in the multiple Jack, the cor
responding cord signal burns until the
subscriber called removes his receiver
from the hook When both cord signals
are out the operator knows that the con-
nection is completed and that the sub
scribers are talking. When either of the
signals glow again, she knows that the
call is terminated Should the calling
subscriber desire another number, he
raises his hook up and down slowly.