The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-02-18
After-the- War Problems Affect
Telephone Service

ming the wal, we asked our subscribers and the public to be
patient with the telephone service and to limit its use as much
as practicable in order that we'might handle the urgent BUSH
ness OF the nation efficiently.
Now that the armistice has been signed and hostilities
have ceased, we are confronted with problems of the recon.
Struction period, which are equally as serious and which will
require time and patience for solution.
The policy of frankness which we have practiced prompts
us to make it clear that the difficulties under which we are
now operating are such that it will be many months before we
can bring the service back to the standard of efficiency pre-
valng prior to the European war.
these difficulties are the same as those confronting other
business enterprises. We outline them briefly so that you
may understand why your service has not become normal
overnight.
More than $50 of our most skilled, trained, tecFnicalmen
volunteered for service in the army and a large majority of
them are still in Europe. Very few of them returned. and we
cannot expect the balance to return soon. Few men of this
type have been available and those we are training by no
means equal our demand. This shortage of experienced
technical men hampers ~ourplans for extensions to plant and
in turn delays installations.
Lacking the men we are also lacking the material needed
to enlarge and extend our plants. True the governments de.
mandS havepracticaly ceased. but equipment must first be en-.
eneered, then ordered and then manufactured before it can be
installed. This involves time and if prompt delivery could
OS ldd hidhy hiohlAo OuA SldpsC UClOTG we COuIQ receive
equipment for imperative needs. This is a situation confront.
ing all telephone companies and one over which we have alb.
solutely no control.
The abnotma increase in the volume of telephone calls
due to war activities created a need for a greater number of
operators and we have been diligently building up an enlareed
operating force. Other industries were seeking girl and wo.
men workers and the inflated wages offered for emereencv
work attracted some OF our operators and made it increasingly
difficult to secure the required number of young women.
When this situation was very we'll in hand last fall the In.
huenza epidemic played havoc with our forces and our losses
from illness and death are still alarming. AS a result of this
combination OF circumstances. the percentage of new and in.
experienced operators is large and there is now a serious short.
age although our training schools are graduating large classes
every month.
Although our service has suffered from these causes the
public has been c%onsiderate and we have been able to handle
a heavier traffic than seemed humanity possible and have in
stalled promptly and operated efficiently the telephone plants
required by the government at army camps and other similar
institutions.
The situation confronting our service is more serious than
it was when fighting was in progress. The public has relaxed
from its tension and is inclined to expect our service to at
once assume its pre-war efficiency. We deem it our duty to
make this frank statement and urge you to continue the con.
Servatlon OF the service which proved so helpful during the
time of our nations greatest need.
We are operating the telephone system as agents for the
federal government under the supervision of the Postmaster
General, and our loyal organization is making a patriotic e.
fort to perfect the service. Your continued co.operation and
announcement will be appreciated.
CUMBERLAND TELEPHONE M1@
AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY HA
Incorporated NNlyN&