Evening star., 1923-02-23
PHONE COMPANY
ELECTS OFFICERS
John c. Rooms, Burdette
Stryker and Philip Coffin
Made Vice Presidents.

John c KoonS who was hrSt as
jlstant postmaster general during tho
Wilson administration and part Of
tho Harding administration. Is ono OF
three vice presidents just elected by
Tho Chesapeake and Potomac Tele-
phone Company. The other two are
Burdett Stryker, general manager OF
the company, and Philip Coffin. gen
eral auditor since November, 1913.
Thomas B. Clarkson was elected
krea
The elections mark a change in tho
Organization. Mr.. koons will be In
charge Of public relations and person
mel, and Mr.. Coffin, who will also re-
tain the title of general auditor, will
have charge Of finances and accounts
Mr. Stryker will continue to act as
general manager.
Mr.. KooES is widely known, not only
in Washington, but throughout the
United States. on account OF his long
career in the Post Office Department.
Entering as a substitute railway mall
clerk in 1895, he served until he re-
signed to enter the telephone company
service in July, 1921, as executive as
sistant. He was advanced in every ad-
JniniStration from Cleveland to Hard
ing. In the latter part of his term in
She Post Office Department he had an
Smportant part in framing the policies
bf the service. He was successfully
Rppointed post Office inspector, division
Superintendent of salaries and allow
Rnces, chairman of the committee in
charge of the development of the par
Gel post and chief post office inspector.
i'm September. 1915. he was appointed
hrst assistant postmaster general, and
hon April 8, 1921, he was made special
eass lstant postmaster general.
When, August l, 1918, the govern
tnent took over the operation of tele-
phone wires as war measure, Mr..
iRoonS was one of a committee ap-
pointed By Postmaster General Burle-
Fon for the governmental manage
knent. operation and control of the
telegraph and telephone systems. Mr..
koons, on that committee, had charge
pf the matters relating to organiza-
Sion and personnel.
First Capitol Operator.
Burdett Stryker, general manager
bt the company since 1919, Is Bell
system veteran. going to work as a
boy, when the first grounded circuit
kwitchboard was being installed here.
Among the historic Jobs with which
ne was connected was the installa.
fton of the first telephone system at
the Capitol. In addition, he was the
first operator at the Capitol. He left
Washington in 1895 and had wide.
continuous experience In Ihs Beil
system in Baltimore ana Phllauel-
,phia, where he was made general su-
perintendent Of plant in 1916. He
was made general manager OF the
Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone
Company in 1919
Philip o. Coffin is a young man mar with
veteran experience in the Bell sys-
fsn. His first work was in New
York. In 1904 he came to Washing, 3
eon. and year later he was trans.
Yerred to Baltimore. His next posi-
was in Philadelphia. and in 1911 he
twas made auditor Of receipts for the
New York Telephone Company, Bel
Telephone Company of Pennsylvania
and the Chesapeake and Potomac Tel
sphone Company. He became auditor
IF the New York Telephone Company
In 1913. and became general auditor
OF the Chesapeake and Potomac Tele-
phone Company in November, 1913.
Thomas B; Caa1 Garkson . ehteIed honEaeenef 1se
N 18eS. He filled various positions
In that line of work and was made
paymaster in 1910. In 1913 he was
made assistant secretary and assist
hnt treasurer.