The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-23

and the two officials went over those de-
tails of local Importance that will ne re-
linquished by the promoted official after
the forthcoming week.
The official announcement OF Mr.
Turnbull's elevation in the service Of the
Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph
company will be withheld until the elec.
ton takes place, but the change is as.
sured in advance of the formality of TAX
ing vote.
Has Been Here Eight Years
Mr.. Turnbull has been here Tor eight
years He has been with the Southern
Bell for 10 years. and is considered by
the executives as one of the most capable
men in the oompanys service. lie has
been trained by Colonel Gentry, who
heads the southern company. and their
cordial relations are well known in this
community.
Under the administration of Mr. 1urn-
bull there have been many changes OF
Importance effected here. He is regarded
as a man of unusual tact along with his
other qualities. The work that has been
done by Mr.. Turnbull In this district was
SO well known that his promotion has
been expected for several months. Last
year his jurisdiction was enlarged ard
it was apprehended at that time that II
would be only few months until the
general offices would claim the Rirming-
ham manager.
Retains Jurisdiction Here
With the new work Mr. Turnbull VIII
retain Jurisdiction over Birmingham, and
he will be here from time to time, H.
will have the states of Alabama and
Georgia In the two states he Will have
charge of about $50 large exchanges, with
subscribers to the number of 100000 OF
more. That extensive territory VIII re-
uuire quite little travelling by Mr.. Iurn-
bull
Among the betterments that have
been wrought in this district under the
retiring manager the most important
was the construction of the new build
ing six stories high adjoining the post
office. That Is said to be an exchange
unrivalled in the south and compar-
able to many of the finer exchanges
of the universal system The building
was destroyed by fire about two years
ago and the exchange put out or serv-
ice The revival of service In two days
at a temporary plant and the subse-
ul.ent speedy resumption of service In
the burned building was heralded in
technical papers and in other circles
as n feat unrivalled in telephone serv-
ice.
Mr.. Turnbull has built the system up
to very flattering position and was
one of the officials that negotiated the
purchase of the Peoples Home com
pany. In the suburbs there has been
erected and equipped under the adj
ministration of Mr.. Turnbull an eX-
cellent series of exchanges.
Socially, Mr.. Turnbull is very pop
ular, belonging to the Country, Press,
Southern and University clubs of this
city.
Knox Well Known Here
His successor. George r. Knox, is
one of the Cumberland telephone Of
ficers. His company was merged with
the Bell company about two years ago.
He Is already well known here and
renewed old acquaintances yesterday.
Lately he has been connected with the
Atlanta offices of the Southern Bell
In the treasury department. He is re-
garded as well qualified. well in
formed telephone man and the officials
of the company believe he can handle
the varied duties of the local district
with skill and ability. Mr.. Knox said
yesterday that he could only say that
he liked Birmingham very much; that
1t felt almost like being at home and
that he hoped he would be able to
serve the people of this community sat
isfactorily. provided the changes con-
templated came to pass
He has been in the telephone busi-
ness Is years. about the same length
of time as Mr.. Turnbull.
Mr. Knox has already taken up his
residence in Birmingham