Evening star., 1918-07-06
REFUSES TO ADOPT
AUTOMATIC SYSTEM
Chesapeake and Potomac
Telephone Co. Announces
Change in Policy.

lie utilities commission March is last,
to install an.automatic telephone sys-
tenn in the District. the Chesapeake
and Potomac Telephone Company to-
day formally notified the commission
that it does not propose to install
automatic or semi-automatic equip
ment in Warrington
This announcement Is contained in
answers to sixteen questions asked
the company by the commission in a
question of the companys attitude on
the eve OF the hearing. to be con-
Quoted by the commission next Tues
day. as to the practicability of in
stalling automatics In the capital:
At this hearing experts Of the United
states bureau Of standards will pre-
sent data growing out of An exhaust
I've Investigation they made Of the
operation of automatics in other
cities.
Announces Change in Policy.
The company's letter of March Is.
signed by r. p. Sylvan. assistant to
the president. and the communication
Of today. announcing the change In
policy, indicate a complete change of
mind on the part Of the corporation.
In the former communication Mr..
sylvan said: I'm fruition Of the plans.
studies and experiments which I. in
my testimony before your commission.
described as being under way. 1 take
pleasure at this time in announcing
that the Chesapeake and Potomac
Telephone Company has concluded to
proceed at once with the installation
Of an automatic telephone system in
the District Of Columbia.
IS was explained by me. the intro
dution of this system will necessitate
the erection of new buildings to house
same for the reason that no space 10
available in the present buildings.
Our plans contemplate starting in the
business district and extending into
the resident districts. As a result of
perfected mechanism, the interchange
Of system between automatic and
manual systems will be fully protect
ed during the transition period. The
ried on simultaneously with the erec-
tion Of buildings. so no appreciable
delay should ensue."
Situation Discussed.
In the communication received by
the commission today, which is sign
ed by r. v. Marye, general attorney.
the company says that. when last
summer 1t, was confronted with an
AuuOi uSHudHu 1OI luCIcaSCu 8SENe
ice. 1t realized its prime duty was to
maintain the integrity of the serv-
ice, and. accordingly, 1t brought to
Washington its own engineers and
other experts to study the situation.
They decided the best plan would be
to adhere to the manual system then
existing.
"The question Of introducing auto
matte and semi automatic switching
devices in Washington was fully con-
sidered and rough estimates were
as to the I,.tod cot Of Seh saeh
varied all the way from $4,000. 900
to $1,000. 900. according to the plans
and methods to be employed during
the hypothetic transition period, all
Of which involved large expenditures
for temporary apparatus which would
over should have been made, and also
large expenditures for additions to
the manual equipment to preserve the
service during and transition period"
Variance Of View Develops.
The communication goes on to say
that during these studies it develop.
ed that there was difference OF
opinion among engineers a:d ex-
manual and automatic equipment in
solving the problem in Washington
under present conditions; "for exam
pie. some advocated making the
start at the central offices, while
others advocated making the start
at the substations. particularly at the
private branch exchange stations"
Taking into consideration the ne
cessity for maintaining the integrity
Of the service during the present
report. land considering the divided
counsel Of engineers and experts with
the wide variation in the estimates OF
the prdba Bile resulting cost of making
radical changes in the character OF
equipment, and. moreover, having in
mind the Injunction of the federal
government against the unnecessary
expenditure Of money. the company is
of the opinion that the present Is not
the time to take chances in making
radical changes in the character of its
equipment. and that the wise. safe
and economical course is to adhere to
the present system of so-ealled man.
ual operation. which after long expe-
rience in actual operation had demon
strated that 1t can render adequate.
safe and reasonable telephone service
in the District of Columbia"
Many Questions Unanswered.
Many questions asked by the COM
mission related to automatics. all of
which, the company says, 1t cannot
answer for the reas ason that 1t does not
propose to install automatics.
The commission also asked for in
formation as to the ALLEGATION Of
revenues derived from, expenses as
sienable to. and fixed capital in use
ana useful for furnishing the toll and
long distance service handled by the
washington operating unit of the
c. & p Co. The company says its rec
ords are not Kept SO as to show the
allocati requested