The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-02-11
CHANGES IN LOCAL
TELEPHONE OFFICE
Increase of Salaries of Operators
Reported to be Under
Consideration

ohSAASA
An effort to authenticate many per-
sistent runors to the effect that a
general increase in the salaries of all
opera tors in the local telephone ex-
change of the Southern New England
Company, resulted in a, preliminary
announcement of many contemplated
changes in the personnel as well as
the equipment of the Bridgeport plant
While 10th to discuss for present
publication all the plans which were
being considered to increase the eff
Manager w. W. Knight admitted that
the added volume of business passing
over the boards here had for time
overwhelmed the facilities to such an
sary to install additional units. These
have been set up, two full sections be-
ing added to the present multiple sys-
tenn, and the wiring is almost COM
pleted.
while the addition of these goards
have to a certain extent disrupted the
fected, and some complaint has arisen
over the temporary interruption of
service, the management has awaited
making explanations or excuses until
the work was finished, fearing that
suoh statements might have been mis-
construed as mere verbal promises.
Upon the subject to increase in sal
aries, no definite announcement would
be made at the company's Office, al
though it was implied that in some
instances these had already been
greater personal efficiency was need
ed. Some changes had been made
and where 1t was found that capable
assistance could not be obtained along
the salary lines heretofore maintained
the scale Of wage has been raised.
It was vehemently denied that any
strike or even contemplation of such
had been considered among the oper-
atives, whom it is said are entirely
satisfied But, pursuing its reward of
faithfu1ness many advances are being
considered and it is asserted that
when the present depending additions
pleted Bridgeport will have mod
ern and practical exchange as can be
found throughout New England.
1t was learned from outside sources
health former Operating Chief S. T.
FfLondon has accepted q similar posi-
ton with the Western Union Tele-
graph Company at Baltimore, where
the climate Is not so severe as in this
section. Ills vacancy will be taken
by Thomas A. Dowd. While actual
B'iI,ondon could not be obtained at the
| local Offices today. it was tacttly ad-
mttted by reference of such inquiry
to the New Haven head offices. It is
admitted that Thomas A. Dowd, a
man of wide experience in the operat-
ing departments of Bridgeport New
haven and W1ll1mdnI1C, IS alT6dR1y
here and temporarily acquainting him
self with his duties under the guild
ano Of Mr.. FaLondon.
| In speaking of the numerous COM
plants which are received by the
telephone company, the local manager
WAS willing to accept a part only as
being justly deserved owing to the
boards. Casting the others aside as
unwaxranted and similar to those un-
| Justly received In all other walks OF
/ eS-,S7 hot
SO long as the human factor entered
into teiaphene exchange work the
highest pinnacle OF perfection could
THE public said Mr.. Knight. de
naand almost instantaneous connection
| with their numbers. To meet this de-
nand constantly many varying quail
feaaons are required from an appii-
| cant.
"In the olden days the education of
a telephone operator was brevity it
accepted by the chief operator, if adj
dttional girls were wanted. and put to
work. Today the system has chang
ed The applicant goes to the chief
j operator in the same old way but she
is put through a thorough, exhaustive
course before she is even allowed q
result that the operator now under
stands the tools she uses and the
fundamentals of the business of Civ
| ing telephone service.
| 1.-THE applicant is first questioned by
| the chief operator and asked for ref
erences. Her hearing. eyesight and
general health are then carefully in
vestigated, for your good operator
must be alert, quick. and above all.
physically fit to meet the demands of
her position.
are tests in every sense of the word
| she is placed in the operating school,
sgparyised by an eSperfea 4ie o pc tb5r
work. She is taught the makeup of
the switchboard and the uses of it's
many parts: She learns the tones OF
hospital and other emergency numbers
in her exchange. She is instructed
in the quickest method of answering
and calling subscribers, so that the
| work may be done with the least pos
| stble lost motion and time, In fact,
everything she must meet, when act
ually at work, comes up in the school
'NTfis inHarmation she obtains from
| lectures by the instructor and actual
1 work ON syVitchboards and instrurn ents
ton of the course completed, she is
seated behind experienced operator
she may accustom herself to the sound
| of the voice over the wire.
cat the end of the course-which
covers several weeks-she is given a
| written and then an oral examination.
| It is interesting to note that practic-
ally every accepted applicant passes
these tests with am average of over
| ninety out of one hundred.
NThis system is in force that new
| operators. when put at work, may
| have all the theoretical and practical
| experience possible aside from actual
work the exchange SWITCH board.
Your new operator of today is not the
applicant of yesterday, but the grad
uate of the present.
Further announcements are prom
| Used within ten days or two weeks
| time, when 1t is believed radical inn
provement in the service will have
| been perfected in toto.
ICE CROP STILL