The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-02-12
After-the-War Problems Affect
Telephone Service

patient with the telephone service and to limit its use as much
as practicable in order that we might handle the urgent bus:
ness Of the nation efficiently. ;
Now that the armistice has been signed and hostiities
have ceased, we are confronted with problems of the recon.
shucion 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-
vailine 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, technicalmen
volunteered for service in the army and a large majority of
them are still in Europe. Very few of them returned, andwe
cannot expect the baanceto 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 our plans for extensions to plant and
in turn delays installations. go,
Lacking the men. we are also lacking the material needed
to enlarge and extend our plants. True the governments de,
mands have practically ceased, but equipment must first be ems
eineered, then ordered and then manufactured before it can be
installed. This involves time and if prompt delivery could
be made many months would elapse before we could receive
equipment for imperative needs. This is a situation confront.
ing all telephone companies ana one over WHICH we nave abe
solutely no control. ~,
The abnormal 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 enlarged
operating force. Other industries were seeking girl and wo.
men workers and the inflated WAGES offered for EMERGENCY
work attracted some Of our operators and made interestingly
difficult to secure the required number of young women.
When this situation was very we'll in hand last fall the In.
fuenza 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. .~ s".# s.,
Although our service has suffered from these causes the
public has been c%onsiderate and we have been able to handle
aheavier 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 andi 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 cooperation and
encouragement will be appreciated.
CUMBERLAND TELEPHONE Mxa
AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY Goa
Incorporated ~