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Telephone Co. Spending $50,000

Telephone Co. Spending $50,000 image
Parent Issue
Day
17
Month
July
Year
1903
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Telephone Co. Spending $50,000

In Making Change in Their Ann Arbor Plant.

Improved Service

Expected From New Outfit--Splendid Offices Fitted Up. Ready Sept. 1st.

The Michigan Bell Telephone Co. are busy just at present with the necessary changes incident to the removal of the local offices into their new quarters on the third floor of the State Savings bank building. The task of removing the office is further complicated by the fact that in doing it they will practically discard all the apparatus used at present, and install an entirely new plant of modern telephone fittings, switchboard, etc., so that when completed they will have one of the most approved and up-to-date systems in the country.

The feature of the new equipment is, of course, the switchboard and the one which the company is now putting in is the latest invention in that line. As it contains in its construction what is technically known as the "multiple of lines" idea. By the use of this idea it is made possible for any single operator to put any two subscribers into communication at once without the intervention of another operation or another section of the board, as at present. Uniformity is the chief need of the telephone company and by this system it is an assured fact. It is possible for each operator to take care of fifteen calls coming in together. But the lines will be so switched that no girl will be over-rushed for the lines which will be used most frequently will be divided up among the operators equally. All the lines will be under the supervision of one general head and it will not be possible to make the slightest change in the lines without an order from this superintendent. Thus every subscriber is assured of satisfaction. The operators under this system can be more watchful of the needs of the public and the speed of making the connection will be greatly increased.

There will be no more ringing up of central. The moment the receiver is taken down from its holder a light will burn down before the eye of the operator and the connection will be made instantly. There is also a test given to see that the line is clear and the speaker will not be detained at the phone, but will instantly get back the message "busy" if such is the case. There will be one big battery and this will be kept in order so that there will be no inconvenience to the subscriber about his telephone being out of order.

The offices will occupy the entire third floor of the bank building and a portion of the second floor. On the second floor will be located the public pay station, the state line service, the waiting rooms and Supt. Keech's private office. On the third floor will be the local central switchboard.

The company is also making arrangements for the proper care of the operating staff and is fitting up a retiring room for the operators, where the girls can spend their time off duty. Each young lady will have a locker for her personal belongings which will be for her use only.

The company are sparing no expense in making the improvements and the total cost will probably reach at least $50,000, the new switchboard alone costing $20,000. Twenty-five men are now employed on the work and it is expected that this number will be increased to forty, next week. The work will be done as rapidly as possible and should have been finished in forty days, but the rain has delayed matters so that the office will not be in running order before the first of September.