The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-20


 Telephone Service
 While the nation under the stress incident win- ming the asked subscribers and the public be patient with the telephone service and limit much practicable order that might handle the urgent bu ness of the nation efficiently.
 Now that the armistce has been signed and hostities have ceased confronted with problems of the struction period which equally serious and which will require time and patience for solution
 The policy of frankness which practice prompts make it clear that the difficulties under which operating such that will be many months before bring the service back the standard of efficiency pre- vailne prior to the European
 These difficulties are the same as those confronting other business enterprises We outline them briefly that you understand why your service has become normal overnight
 
 More than $50 of meS s,l.eu. techn volunteered for the army and large majority of them still in Europe Very few of them returned and expect the balance to Few of this type have been available and those training by means equal our demand This shortage of experienced technical hampers plans for extensions plant in delays installations
 Lacking the also lacking the material needed to enlarge and extend plants True the de- mands have practically ceased but equipment first be en- gneered then ordered and then manufactured before be installed This involves time and if prompt delivery could be made many months would eape before could receive equipment for imperative needs This is situation confront ing all telephone companies and which we have ab solutely no control.
 The abnormal increase in the volume of telephone calls due activities created need for greater number of and we have been diligently building up enlarged operating force Other industries seeking girl and wo workers and the inflated wages offered for emergency work attracted of operators and made Interestingly difficult to the required number of young women
 When this situation very we'll in hand last fall the h. uenza epidemic played havoc with forces and losses from illness and death still alarming As result of this combination of circumstances the percentage and n- experienced operators large and there serious short age although training schools graduating large classes every month.
 Although service has suffered from these causes the public has been condera and have been able to handle heavier traffic than seemed humany possible and have in- stalled promptly and operated efficiently the telephone plants required by the government army camps and other similar institutions.
 The situation confronting service serious than 1t was when fighting progress The public has relaxed from its tension and inclined expect service to at its pre-war efficiency We deem our duty to make this frank and urge you the con- servaton of the service which proved helpful during the time of our nations greatest need.
 We operating the telephone system as agents for the federal government under the supervision of the Postmaster General and our loyal organization is making patriotic e fort perfect the service Your continued cooperation and encouragement will be appreciated.
 Geo. R Knox. IT,, District Manage,