Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1921-05-27

parallel lines where the circuits are
grounded. In the case of the Albion
district. the cross-talk could be min
imized by the installation of repeat
ing coils at Albion and by running
metallic circuits from that point to
the exchange in Pullman The com
pany has tried this operation but has
found that owners of the farmer
Tires disconnect or jump the coils.
In my opinion, if proper installation
is made these coils should give an
improvement in the service, and it
is suggested that the farmer lines
give them a fair and unbiased trial,
Favorable comment is to be made
regarding the new construction of
the Breeze Burgan Telephone Com
pany. and this line when entirely re-
constructed should improve the serv-
ice very materially. However, ii is
to be remembered that the services
should also be overhauled and put
in as first class condition as the
main line.
An example of poor construction
was noted on the Johnson Chambers
Telephone Company at a railroad
crossing near Johnson. This por-
ton is new construction and it was
found that proper spacing OF the
wires was not provided for in emery
ing from the conduit underneath the
tracks. This condition was also
found at other localities, but special
mention is made of this because of
the new construction.
Upon investigation Of one par
ticular service, it was found that the
ground rod outside of a subscribers
residence had been buried only
about three feet deep. 1t is recon-
mended to the farmers that they
bury their ground rods at least six
feet, or more. depending on whether
they reach earth of sufficient damp
ness to give good ground. The
ideal condition would be to bury
ground plate surrounded by coke,
and then to attach a ground wire to
the plate. In any event, materials
that will not rust or deteriorate
should be used for this purpose.
1t was found that, in several cases,
dry batteries had not been renewed,
in the telephones for a period of
over two years. Depending on the
amount the phone is used, dry bat
teries should be renewed at least
every six months to one year.
Based on the foregoing observa-
lions. | feel that the following rec
concentrations are reasonable and
should give a material Improvement
in the service rendered by the In
land Telephone Company.
/, The company should immedi-
ately begin to keep a record of all
complaints, as required by our rules.
2, The company should expedite
as much as possible, the installation
Of its new switchboard equipment
). The feasibility of the installa-
ton of farmer line multiple jacks
and universal cord circuits in the
reconstructed switchboard should be
determined, and report made to the
department of public works as to the
conclusions reached.
4. Diligence should be exercised
by operators in answering all calls
and particular attention given to i'm
provement OF the night service.
). Signal of farmer lines calling
Central should be changed from
short rings to short ring. Ar
rangement should be made with the
Moscow exchange for different sig
nails between Pullman and Moscow
when farmers call on Line No 10.
8. Reconstruction of the pole
lines, enlargement of cables, and re-
moving of duplicated outside plant
on College hill in Pullman. are i'm
proyements which should be effect
ed as soon as possible. although some
delay in procuring materials is to
be expected in this case.
With respect to improvements on
lines controlled by the farmer line
associations the following recon-
mendations are made:
1. Attention to the maintenance
of the lines is necessary in all cases.
The farmer lines should be put in
good condition, and should be kept
in good condition. In the cases of
lines needing reconstruction, the best
material obtainable should be in
stalled because it will last longer
and will give better service.
2. Services should be overhauled
on practically all of the lines.
3. Inspection of all ground rods
Shpn16 he Dpada RI 9