The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-30

Hunt, representative Of the Missouri
and Kansas Telephone company, before
the Topeka Commercial club as submit
TED by himself to the State Journal:
II am very glad of this opportunity
to explain briefly what the Missouri
and Kansas Telephone company has
done since the consolidation Of the
plants in Topeka to enable it to furnish
good telephone service to the people of
Topeka said Mr.. Hunt.
Il have with me documents to SUBJ
stantiate practically all of the state
ments that shall make regarding the
expenditures of the company during
the last two years. The Topeka In
dependent exchange was consolidated
with the Missouri and Kansas, or Bell
exchange, in July, 1912. Before this
consolidation was effected the switch
board of the Independent company.
which was to be used in the consoli-
dated exchange, was thoroughly over
hauled and many additions were
made to 1t for the purpose Of insur-
ing good service. The expense of this
work was $4S,7OO with over $1,000
added for improvements on the build
ing. After the exchanges were con-
solfdated the service except for the
Interruptions caused by the consolida-
tiOn was good until the first rains and
storms came in the fall of 1912.
These disclosed defects in the outside
We had more trouble than was con-
sistent with Bell standards. although
when we looked back over the rec
ords of the Independent company we
found that we had less trouble than
the Independent company with its
smaller exchange had had during the
corresponding period Of the preceding
year.
I'VE Immediately went to work to
meet this situation and during the re-
matnder Of the year spent nearly $780,
600. almost all of which was on out
side construction. During this time at
our request the state utilities commits
sion directed its telephone expert to
watch the work that was being done.
He was given full access to our ex-
change and in his final report to the
commission stated that everything was
being done that could be done. Since
that time the service has been good.
We had an army of nearly 100 men
doing this work with six motorcycles,
two automobiles, four motor trucks
gate of these expenditures during the
last five months of 1912 was over
$4,000.
During the year 1918 we spent over
80, 600 on extraordinary repairs; nearly
e5O, 900 on additions and improvements
to the switchboard, including full equip
ment for an operators school in which
operators are trained: over $1,000 in
what is called block work in the alleys
On either side of Kansas avenue, where
the wire conditions were bad: and
about $1,000 on work under what we
call an estimate. on the outside plant.
This made a total expenditure during
1918 of $107, ,889.
1T would be almost impossible to
spend a greater sum than this on re-
pairs and substitutions, without a seri-
ous disturbance of the service.
- -
year 1914 we have spent nearly $4,000,
all of 1t on the outside
plant.
"There is still $7,7oo to be expended
on the estimate for outside work, to
which an addition of s.. 800 has been ap-
proved, an additional estimate calling
for SIS, 800 of work has been prepared,
and during the remainder of the year
not less than $1,000. over and above the
estimate work will be done, making a
total Of $50, 100 to be done in the i'm
mediate future, and before cold weather.
This expenditure Of $220. 900 since the
of the exchanges made for
the betterment of the service. shows
that the company has spared no effort
to make the service as good as it can
be made.
This work has covered practically
the whole of the city and over SO per
cent of the rural lines. the balance of
which are now being patroled. Since
the consolidation we have never had
less than 38 extra men on the job and
part of the time as many as "a.
1.-The accommodations for the opera
tors have been made as comfortable
Is possible, There is a cafeteria
lunch in connection with the rest
room which is furnished with q piano. |
ounges and rocking chairs to make
he rest period of the operators as
and attractive as possi- |
Die. The accommodations and hours
II work OF the operators are much bet
er than any other line of employment.
We are very anxious to have all those 1
who will visit the exchange and in |
spect for themselves.
II want to say just one word more and
that is about the collection OF telephone
rentals. Subscribers are asked to pay
rentals not la ter than the middle Of the
Mcntb. This mtens tina. the subscriber
pays and pays for half the service in ad-
vance. The reason for this rule is that
under the law the company must give SER
vice to everyone who applies Tor It. We
cannot refuse to give service to anyone.
The law says to us You must give SER
can protect yourselves against those who
are unable, or unwilling to pay is to re-
1uire them to pay in advance The mer-
chant can pick his customers. he can
sell to this one and refuse to sell to that
one Ee can require this one to pay cash
and can give credit to that one. We must
give service to all. and treat all alike
RF + ihY / ' F0R Fl I / lcHi ! I