Rochester Telephone Bulletin

The Rochester Telephone

Bulletin

1 bope 1 shall always possess fi rmmss tmd Let tts have faith that right make.r might , virtm enottgh to mai11tain . . . the char- a11d in that faith let us, to the end, dare to acter of an "Homst Mall." do our duty as we understand it.

FEBRUARY, 1927 .

WATCH US GROW Stations In Service and Growth

Net Growth In Service In Jan. Since Jan. 1 Jan. 28

1927 1927 Atlanta . . . . . . . . . .. . .. .. 1 1 124 Avon • 0. 0 . . .... • • 0 • • •• • -2 - 2 577 Bergen . . .... .. . .. • •• 0 2 2 268 Brockport . . . ••• • 0 • •• •• • -3 - :3 817 Caledonia ...... . . . • 0 • •• - 3 -3 415 Canandaigua . . . . . . . . ... 1,971 Castile ••• ••• •••• 0 •• 0 . -1 - 1 500 Churchville • • • 0 •••• .. . -2 - 2 216 Cohocton . . . . • 0 ••• ••• ••• - 1 - 1 168 Dansville . . . .. . ..... . . . -8 - 8 1,173 East Rochester •• • 0 ••• • • 2 2 631 F:tirport . . • • • • • • 0 ••• .. -4 - 4 898 Gainesville •••• • . • • • • 0 . 85 Geneseo • •• •• 0 • •• . . . . . -8 - 8 1,057 Hamlin . . . . .. .. . • • 0 ••• -5 - 5 285 Hemlock ••••• 0 • ••• 0 ••• • 1 1 81 Henrietta • 0. 0 ••• • • . . ... 214 Honeoye F alls 0 •• • • 0 ••• 0 562 · Leicester •••••• • 0 .. . ... 1 1 131 LeRoy . . . . . . • 0 •• .. .. . .. 2 2 1,028 L ima .. , \ , . . . . . . . . • 0 • • •• -2 - 2 243 Livonia . . . . . . . . . . .. . ... - 4 - 4 496 Mount Morris . . . . . . . .. - 2 -2 517 Naples • 0 • • ••• . . • 0 0 • .. .. -:3 -3 529 Nunda . . . . . . . ..... . .. 4 4 296 Pittsford . . . . . . . •• 0 ••• 2 2 478 Rochester . . . . . . . .. .. .. 444 44-t- 67,569 Rush • 0 ••• • • • ••• ••• 0 • 1 1 185 Scottsville . . . . . ........ - 1 - 1 217 Springwater . . . . . .... . . . -1 - 1 124 Victor .. . . • ••• • •• •• • 0 3 3 425 'iVarsaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. - 1 - 1 1,148 Wayland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 288 Webster . . . . . • • • 0 • • . . . -4 -4 836 W yoming . . . . . . •• 0 •• • •• - 4 -4 183

405 405 84,735

OUR OBJECTIVE- 100,000 TELEPHONES BY 1930

The Rochester Telephone

Bulletin VOLUME V FEBRUARY, 1927 NUMBER 2

MONROE CENTRAL OFFICE By W. J. Vincent , Engineering Departm ent.

(()) N January 11, 1927, the telephone lines and stations formerly served through the Chase Central Office were cut into the new Monroe Central Office and Monroe began to function as a com

plete central office operating unit. Monroe, which serves the entire southeastern section of the city, is now handling 4,748 lines and 9,459 stations. The cutover of the Chase subscribers was made without any confusion whatever and the new equipment has functioned perfectly from the start.

The following description of the new central office and its equipment was prepared with the thought that it would be of interest to all concerned.

Barely more than a century ago certain portions of Ontario and Genesee Counties, in which Rochester was located, were formed into a new county which was named Monroe in honor of the President of the United States then in office. Later what was destined to become one of Rochester's main thoroughfares, also received this distinguished name. When therefore, a new central office was contemplated to serve the area traversed by this important avenue, and to be located within sight of it, it seemed quite fitting and proper that this office should bear the designation Monroe, especially since that word met the necessary phonetic requirements for telephone use. Monroe Office occupies the northeast corner at the intersection of Field and Henrietta Streets. It is a modern two story building of steel frame and solid outside wall construction combining utility, comfort and pleasing architecture.

In the basement are located the usual heating plant, cable vault and storage batteries as well as auxiliary gas engine charging sets in duplicate. The rest of the power apparatus, test desk and distributing frames are on the ground floor. Spacious operators' rest and locker rooms and a well equipped cafeteria are also on this floor, in the rear.

The second floor is devoted almost exclusively to operating and here in parallel lines on opposite sides of the room are the ''A'' and '' B'' switchboards with associated desks such as Intercepting, Chief Operator's, Multiple Marking, Clerk's etc., placed at convenient points about the room. To describe in detail the many interesting features in the Monroe Office a large number of which are exclusive with this installation, would require more space than this article permits,

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THE ROCHESTER TELEPHONE BULLETIN

therefore only a few of the principal features will be briefly outlined at this time. One of the most important departures from the heretofore generally accepted practice, made in engineering Monroe was in the design of the charging equipment. The

shunt type of generator which has been used almost universally for charging large batteries in the past, has certain objections chief of which are inability to maintain uniform charging rate with varying loads without frequent adjustment of

Upper Left, Charb<ing Machine, 500 Amp. Units; Upper Right. "A" Position EQuipment; Lower Left, Main Power Board; Lower Right, Rear View "B" Board.

20


field rheostat. This has necessitated charging at about normal rate intermittently with occasionally prolonged charging known as equalizing or overcharge. ·with this method the various cycles of power transformations reduce the actual energy available for switchboard operation to about 55% of that drawn from the power mains.

A new type of charging machine having practically a flat voltage curve and known as the diverter pole generator, came under the observation of our Chief Engineer at about the time the engineering of Monroe was started, and the tests then conducted indicated that a substantial saving in power consumption in addition to other economies could be effected by the adoption of this equipment. 'rwo units each of 500 amperes capacity at 60 volts and smaller auxiliary sets were accordingly installed. With these machines it is possible to float the battery (trickle charge) and carry the varying exchange loads throughout the 24 hours of the day automatically, and since the operating current comes directly from the generator, one cycle of transformation is avoided, thus reducing the loss in power about 20% as compared with the other scheme. Furthermore, as the life of a battery is largely dependent upon the work it is called to perform, it is evident that this method of charging considerably prolongs its useful life which r epresents an additional corresponding saving.

The Wire Chief's test board consists of three positions and embodies the latest f eatures for this type of equipment such as means for checking the transmission efficiency of subscribers' instruments and loops, determining the nature and location of all ordinary troubles occurring in the plant as well as the usual facilities for testing and completing new lines and stations. A rather radical departure was made in the finish of the ironwork and machines in this office which is worthy of note. In-

21

stead of presenting the conventional black finish with its objectional light, and heat absorbing properties this apparatus stands out in its pleasing coat of gray duco . The operating equipment consists of ten thousand line capacity Stromberg-Carlson Superservice Switchboard with a present provision of 56 ''A'' positions and 24 "B" positions equipped with 7,000 subscribers' lines approximately 5,000 of which are now in service. By far the greater portion of these lines were transferred from the former Park and Chase Offices.

'rhe "A" cord circuits have the same features as those in the Culver Office which was our first superservice board, but some of these have been modified to meet our special requirements, the principal changes being the provision of l istening keys of the push button type, dim ringing indication on the calling supervisory lamp, holding feature without inserting plug in jack, audible tone to the operator when a flashing recall occurs on her position, a momentary single flash of the calling supervisory lamp upon operation of message meters on measured service lines, and a pilot signal to indicate the operation of automatic peg count meter in each position. The outgoing trunks in this office were the first in Rochester to be equipped with individual indicating lamps. This feature enables an operator to secure an idle trunk at anytime without testing, and together with the idle '' B'' operator indication constitutes one of the most outstanding improvements in straight-forward trunking since its adoption.

The "B" positions are equipped with manual listening trunks the features of which are practically the same as those incorporated in the original Culver trunks. The method of handling special calls between the '' B'' board and the Intercepting DP"k in this office is quite an improvement over the old scheme, where it was necessary for the special operator to call a supervisor to trace a connection in order to com-


plete calls for 0. K. numbers. With the new Intercepting Trunks it is only necessary for the special operator to depress a key associated with each trunk on her desk if she wishes to give any instructions to the '' B'' operator regarding a call, as that act will light a lamp over the Intercepting 'l'runk jack in which the interoffice trunk is plugged, thus calling attention of the proper"B"operator who meets the special operator on a

common order wire circuit. 'The entire central office equipment

was furnished and installed by the Stromberg-Carlson Telephone Manufacturing Company, who with their foreman in charge, Mr. W. C. Fitzpatrick, and the rest of the workmen deserve much credit for the able manner in which the job was handled and for the excellent condition in which the equipment was turned over to the Telephone Corporation.

MISS SHERIDAN'S "CHAPEAU" IS IN THE RING By the time this Bulletin is in

your hands the Membership contest of the Automobile Club of Rochester, which closes on March 9, 1927, will be well under way. As you all know, Miss Lucy R. Sheridan, the popular Secretary to our Vice-President and General Manager, is a contestant for the first prize, consisting of a 1927 sport model Chandler roadster, valued at $1,285, which will be awarded to the person securing the largest number of members in excess of one hundred.

Miss Sheridan entered this contest at the suggestion of a number of her friends who felt that her long and faithful service in our Company (27 years, 9 months) and her devotion to the business activities of women, in which field she has occupied a prominent place for many years, culminating in her election as President of the Zonta Club of Roch-

ester, in which capacity she is now serving, entitled her to the support of all her friends and co-workers.

Miss Sheridan was somewhat reluctant about entering the contest but could not withstand the urging of her friends and now that her "chapeau" is in the ring, it is up to all of us to see that it stays there and we must not let up in our efforts until we have helped her win the prize. This can only be done by the closest kind of co-operation and the hardest kind of work. Knowing the ''never say die'' spirit of telephone men and women as we do, it is unnecessary to say any more.

We are confident that the March issue of the Bulletin will carry a photograph of Miss Sheridan sitting at the wheel of the Chandler roadster. This is a promise, and it is up to all of us to make good. Let's Go, and make her a winner !

NEW YORK-LONDON TELEPHONE SERVICE IS OPENED Commercial telephone service be

tween New York and London, for years a goal of telephone scientists and engineers, became a reality on January 7, when, after an exchange of greetings between President W alter S. Gifford, of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, and Sir G. Evelyn Murray, Secretary of the General Post Office of Great Britain, the line was declared in the public service.

The New York ceremonies in con-

22

nection with the opening of the service were simple and dignified, in keeping with the importance of the occasion which was one of the most epochal in the entire history of communication. At 8 :43 A. M., in the presence of a number of guests, Mr. Gifford lifted the receiver of an ordinal'y desk-set and asked for a telephone connection with Sir Evelyn Murray.

The call passed through the official board of the telephone company to


TRANS- ATLANTIC RADIO TELEPHONE CIRCUITS TWO-WollY CON'V£As,t;TC)N ·

the long lines headquarters and in less than a minute the connection had been completed and the historic conversation had begun. Mutual greetings and congratulations passed between Bell System headquarters and the British General Post Office over a circuit of wire and ether 7,190 miles in length. Immediately following the completion of the call, a long distance operator was notifying a waiting subscriber that the London circuit was ready for his call and Trans-Atlantic telephony had become a public service.

This service was extended to Roch-

w-~ loMC>IIT"A~l- .... 1 .. -~- -.. ---.. -~0 .. ,-.: --.. - - \.AHI>_t,..l'>o

! IIOC.I<I'_, ·~•- »:uc. .. ...u

-~- :::..·-:~ ::::~:

ester on Saturday, January 15, and B. Forman, a prominent Rochester merchant, had the distinction of being the first Rochesterian to avail himself of the service and in addition, as we understand it, Mr. Forman made the first commercial call between this country and London, outside of New York City.

A number of calls have been made by Rochesterians since the service was established and the conversations were conducted just as satisfactorily as though the distant party were located only a few miles away from the city.

President IV. S. Gifford or . the American Telephone & Telegraph Company Opens New York-London Telephone Line, January 7, 1927.

23


OUR TRUCKS ARE ENTERED IN SAFE DRIVING CONTEST Robert M. Bruce, our Plant Su

perintendent, is Chairman of the Traffic Committee of the Rochester Safety Council, which is in charge of the detail work of conducting the Inter-Fleet Safe Driving Contest.

In the interest of safer driving we have enrolled our trucks, together with approximately 1,000 Rochester commercial cars, in the contest. Our trucks are enlisted in Group B, consisting of public utility company trucks. In this group are also enrolled all commercial trucks operated by the New York State Railways, Rochester Lines; Rochester Gas & Electric Corporation, Rochester ·Post Office Garage and the American Railway Express.

All companies enrolling their trucks in this contest have agreed to submit to the Rochester Safety Council, each month, the number of trucks owned and operated, the number of truck days of operation and the number of accidents reported

during the month. Winners are judged by the number of truck days per accident. An accident is described as any accident causing sufficient personal injury or property damage to warrant a report being made to the Claim Department of the company or its insurance agent.

'l'he judging of winners will be the task of the Statistical Committee, of which Charles R. Dalton, of the Rochester Bureau of Municipal Research is Chairman.

It goes without saying that those of us who are responsible for the driving of our trucks will enter the contest with the determination and will to win. Then, too, as our own "Bob" is Chairman of the Committee conducting the contest we should make an extra effort to come out on top. Every employee in the company is rooting for the success of our men and we are confident, that when the contest is over, we will be more proud of our gang than ever.

SOME FACTS ABOUT COIN BOX COLLECTIONS By J . F. Gallivan, Coin Box Supervisor.

Late in the year 1922, officials of the Rochester Telephone Corporation considered it advisable to form a separate department to handle all matters connected with coin box telephones along the same line as the cities of New York, Brooklyn, Newark, and Buffalo, and on January 1, 1923, the Coin Box Department started operations in charge of a Supervisor reporting directly to the Commercial Superintendent. This department has charge of installations, removals and changes in public,semi-public telephones and booths throughout the territory, and looks after all collection work in the Rochester Commercial District.

There are more than 1,500 coin box stations in service in the territory of our Corporation, from which 35,000 collections are made annually. The coins collected exceed 5,000,000 in number and weigh approximately

24

forty tons. Three collectors are engaged in making collections in the Rochester District, collections in the other Commercial Districts being made by the District Commercial Managers.

Previous to the installation of the Coin Box Department, the money was counted and wrapped and the commission paid at the Agent's location; but now all money is handled by the r eceptacle method, canvas bags being used in lieu of the locked receptacles until such time as our present equipment can be changed to the 50-L type coin collectors.

When the bags containing the money are brought to the Coin Box office, it is counted by a Standard-Johnson electrically operated separating and counting machine, equipped with special combination and set-back registers. The upper registers indicate individually the


COIN BOX DEPARTMENT. Coin Counting and Separating Machine Operated by Miss LuciUe S. Gan·ey (standing),

and Miss Marie A. Garvey (sitting). Back How: Left to Right, A. Geyeo·, J. F. GaUivan, Supervisor; T. Duffy, R. Farrell.

~·ront Row, Misses L. S. and M. A. Gan•ey.

amount in nickels, dimes and quarters contained in the box. The lower registers indicate the number of coins represented in each of the upper counts.

Preparatory to counting the money, the contents of each receptacle is placed in the tray of the machine and reviewed by the teller, who removes spurious coins and slugs and then passes the good coins into the hopper of the separating mechanism. As the coins are separated, they pass through the counting heads in to canvas bags. The counting mechanism is timed to stop automatically upon the completion of the count of every thousand coins. A colored signal is flashed simultaneously with the operation of the automatic stop, whereupon the second teller, who supervises the counters, depresses a control lever r eleasing the stop and the count continues. These machines separate and

count coins at the rate of 1,100 per minute.

Upon the completion of the count of each receptacle the amounts indicated on the registers are noted on a stub, and at the completion of the day's run the . telephone number is placed on each stub after the amounts are entered in route books for grading. The stubs are sent to the Revenue Accounting Department.

Under this plan, commissions are paid by check and mailed to the Public Telephone Agents. A special form of check is used for this purpose with a stub attached carrying details of commission involved. Upon receipt of the check, the Agent removes the stub which he retains for record purposes and endorses the check, which is subsequently returned to the Coin Box Department through the bank. The number of checks issued annually approximate 3,800.

HOvV BIG IS BIG¥ By Phil Osipher, Plant

That sounds like one of the comic Then ag·ain they claim that outside strips, Salesman Sam's questions, of our own solar system, the firma-but it's something to think about. ment contains other suns and their For instance look at the difference systems of planets so far away that between an Elephant and a Fly. it takes light traveling 186,000 miles Each is specially fitted for the busi- a second, millions of years to reach ness of living. Each has life, perhaps us. So if we had a telescope strong each has a soul, who knows. The enough we could see things that hap-main difference is size. pened on these planets millions of

25


years ago while the things that are happening now we won 't know about for another million of years. That's nothing for us to worry about but all this seems to be held in place by some unseen force .

Then again there is the complex system of our bodies, millions of little cells all working in unison for the benefit of the whole. Governed by the mind and it in turn governed by what ~ Everybody has a theory but nobody really knows.

While exploring the realms of littleness we must not forget the imperceptible little Electron. In this theory all matter consists first of Molecules of which there are as many kinds as there are different kinds of substances. These Molecules are made up of Atoms of which there are ninety-two in all called elements. 'l'hese in turn are made up of Electrons. To illustrate their size, textbooks claim that if a drop of water were magnified to 100,000 times the size of the earth, its Molecules would be 100 times the · size of the earth, its atoms would be the size of the earth and its electrons would be the size of baseballs. An electron is a small, but very active, particle or corpuscle of electricity. This seems incredible but it's maintained to be true.

This goes to prove that all things are big only in comparison with something· else. We mortals are just one step in this vast universe and everything else seems to work harmoniously, why not us ~ Why stoop to do little mean things that must make the soul seem smaller than the little electron while the satisfaction of doing good and having right thoughts exalts and makes

us feel bigger than the worlds of space. We make our spirit or inner self as little or as big as we want it to be. Let's have an inflation contest. See you again sometime. Selah.

IN MEMORIAM

Ferdinand C. Wooden, Toll Switchboard Repairman, died January 15, 1927.

Ferdinand entered the employ of the Rochester Home Telephone Company in March, 1911, performing the duties of night wire chief. Shortly afterwards he felt that bigger fields were ahead of him in Albany, and departed for that city, where he remained until March, 1913.

Upon his return to Rochester, he engaged with the New York Telephone Company as night wire chief at Main, under the supervision of the Equipment Supervisor. He continued in this position up to 2 years ago ·when he was assigned duties of day inside man at Main, and at the time of his demise he was filling job of Toll Switchboard Repairman, under the supervision of the Repair Supervisor.

"Cork" as he was familiarly known, made many friends during his association in the telephone business and his loyalty and willingness at all times to perform the duties assigned, made him stand out as one of our real good employees.

We extend our deepest sympathy to his widow.

FIRST TO PAY FOR 'PHONE SERVICE 'l'he first man in the world to pay

for a telephone was James Emery, Jr., a wholesale fish dealer, who lived in Charleston, Mass.

About May 15, 1877, he had a telephone put at each end of a line connecting his house with his brother's

26

home across the street and on May 30th of the same year paid the sum of $20, which was the first money ever paid for a telephone. On June 8th he returned and paid $10 additional and took away three more telc-

(Continued on P age 35)


IT D1DN'T HAPP[N,DOCo IT

WAS CAUSED BY A rELLOW DROPPIN'

PLANK Off A 5CAfFOLD

~~

A CAUSE FOR EVERYTHING There's a cause for everything

even accidents, although some people still r egard them as due to chance or hard luck .

It is pure luck when you draw three aces or roll a seven or an eleven. It is luck and nothing else but if you dodge through heavy traffic and land safely on the opposite side of the street.

When some thoughtless fellow 27

drops a plank or a monkey wrench off a scaffold, it is largely a matter of chance whether it crowns someone or falls harmlessly to the ground. But whether someone is hurt or if it is just a " near accident," it doesn't happen, it is caused.

Look out f or the near accidents. Prevent them and there will be no hospital cases to worry about.

THE ROCHESTER TELEPHONE BULLET.rN

ROCHESTER TELEPHONE BULLETIN Issued monthly by and for the employees of the

Rochester Telephone Corporation

EDITORIAL STAFF WM. J. O'HEA ......•.. . .. . ....... .• ... ...... Editor

Ass't to President

ASSOCIATE EDITORS FRANK J. BROOKMAN ...... . . .. . •..• • VIce-President JOHN W. MORRISON . .............. .. . Chief Engineer CHARLES G. VICKERY ...•......• Traffic Superintendent ROBERT M. BRUCE .............. Plant Superintendent FRANK T. BYRNE •.••... ••.• Commercial Superintendent

Vol. V. No. 2 February. 1927

If the highway that is named after Lincoln is smooth, it's different from the road that he traveled.-RAILWAY LIFE.

BEWARE OF THE CLOSED GARAGE

Carbon Monoxide gas is a deadly poison. Hardly a day passes without the report of one or more deaths from Carbon Monoxide poisoning in a closed garage. Someone, blissfully ignorant of the danger, has started up a motor and in a few minutes a tragedy has occurred.

In some cases it- is the r esult of pure negligence ; the victim knew of Carbon Monoxide poisoning, but thought that only a f ew moments wouldn't matter. As heretofore stated, three minutes will suffice to saturate the air of a single-car closed garage with this d eadly gas.

Every automobile driver should take this precaution: Never start the motor with garage doors and windows closed, not even for a minute or two. If repairs or adjustments must be made with the engine running, do the work in the open air, -or with doors and windows open.

PUBLISHED WITH BLUSHES

Mr. John P. Boylan,

L. M. BERRY & CO., December 20, 1926.

Vice P resident & General Mgr., Rochest er Telephone Corporation, Rochester, N . Y . My dear Mr. Boylan:

In t a lking to Mr. Wilfley and the men who sold the a dvertising in Rochester the last canvas, I was very greatly pleased to hear them tell of the friendly way they were r eceived by your subscribers in genera l. It indicat ed to me th at your company is enjoying a very enviable public

28

r elationship, and that you are maint aining a high standard of service.

I want to congratulate you mo st heartily upon these attainments, as you know, we can remember days when things were much differ ent in Rochester.

With all good wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year, I a m.

Yours very truly, LOREN M. BERRY.

JAMES CUNNINGHAM, SON & CO., Rochester, N. Y.

December 27, 1926. Mr. W. J. O'Hea, Rochester Telephone Corporation, City. My dear Mr. O 'Hea :

Please accept my thanks for your court eous letter of the 22nd, rega rding the retention of my present telephone number 2212, in case it is transferred. I have also h eard from Mr. Byrne, advising me that this number is not in use on the Chase Exchange, and he has reserved it for me in case of a change over.

I appreciate the trouble you ha ve gone to in this matter, and wish to thank you very much for same.

With best wishes for A Happy and Successful New Year, I am,

Yours truly, J. C. DRYER.

Canandaigua, N. Y., December 28, 1926.

Mr. G. S. Lord, Dist. Coml. Mgr. , Rochester Telephone Corporation, Canandaigua, N.Y. Dear Glenn:

This P . M. it was necessary for me to use my phone about twenty-five times without leaving it, and I want to congratulate you upon the superb service that was rendered from your switchboard.

It i s so natural for some of us to find fault with things that don't please us, th at we often forget to acknowledge merit when it is thrust upon us.

Sincerely yours, J . W. JENKINS.

Rochester, N . Y. Mr. John P. Boylan, Rochester Telephone Corporation, Rochest er, N . Y. Dear John:

Today we had occasion to call our official gar ages throughout nine counties a nd I wish to t ake this opportunity of complimenting y ou and the Telephone Company upon the splendid service we received. We put in forty-three long distance call s and a ll wer e handled very promptly and court eously, wi t hin two hours and a ha lf.

A word of praise now and then is good for a ll of us.

Very sincerely, (Signed) GEO. C. DONAHUE,

Secretary, Automobile Club of Rochester.


January 10, 1927. Rochester Telephone Co., Business Office.

This is to let you know that I am very much pleased with the change of phone from party line to private wire. I had given up all hopes to see this change come true, more so because th e linemen told me that cables in this locality are very much congested.

I assure you again that I appreciate it and wish to thank the Ro chest er Telephone Co. for this service.

Dear Mr. Bruce:

Very truly yours, RICHARD BETLEM. 85 Kislingbury Street,

Ro chest er, N. Y.

Janua ry 22, 1927.

In addition to my t elephone conversa· tion with you this morning in which I personally expr essed to you my apprecia· tion for the service render ed to my company yesterday, I am writing you so that you can extend our thanks to your associates who have co-operated with you in maintaining telephone service at our plant on Friday, J anuary 21st. One does not r ealize what the t elephone se:cvice means until one is without same.

Our inner communicating system was out of commission for a pproximately two hours until you were kind enough to install

OHMAN!

temporary batteries and give us immediate service internally. Outside communication was established over one trunk line by some t emporary arrangement.

Please advise your associates and the boys themselves who have actually been on the job her e at the plant that their efforts have not gone by unnoticed and that we are indeed grateful to them.

We hope that the present pleasant r elations between your company and ourselves will continue.

I am, Yours very truly,

HENRY BERMAN, Fashion Park

ROCHESTER AUTOMOBILE DEALERS' ASSOCIATION

December 31, 1926. Mr. J. A. Striker , Rochest er Telephone Corporation, Rochester, N. Y. Dear Mr. Striker:

Please accept my thanks and extend th em to the other proper authorities for your co-operation in helping to get our phone set as quickly as you did.

Will you also enter an order so that we may have a desk extension f

Yours truly, R. J. MENZIE, Executive Secretary.

By Briggs

-Courtesy "Democrat & Chronicle" ISN'T IT SO, PAULINE?

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WEST HENRIETTA Raymond Fagan has taken the position

of night operator. Ray isn't the one who runs the Plantation. Glad to have you with us, Ray.

Ruth Bean is our new supply operator. Hope you like us, Beanie.

Tracie Schillinger, our regular operator, has a Ford coupe. Where did you get it, Tayf

Our Chief Operator, Mrs. Jack, directed a play given by the West Henrietta Dramatic Club. Well done, Emma.

The Henrietta operators had a X -Mas tree in the office and received many lovely gifts.

Tracie Schillinger's boy friend gave her a hundred dollar bill ($100) for X-Mas. Where did you find him, Tayf

HONEOYE FALLS Mrs. Stella O'Neill has accepted a posi

tion as part time operator. Miss Anna Kroeble has been transferred

from relief operator to day operator. Mrs. Lilla Beswick has resigned and is

moving to LeRoy. A very enjoyable Christmas party was

held at the home of Beatrice Harris. Our genial Wire Chief, Sy Grace, was Santa Claus. Gifts were exchanged and a bountiful supper was served and a jolly good time was enjoyed by all.

Cold weather has no terrors for Miss Harris who jumped out of bed, donned her coat over her night robe and went to the aid of the night operator when a fire on the morning of January the fifth caused heavy traffic. It was daylight when Beatrice started to return home and someone had to go for her clothes.

MT. MORRIS Mt. Morris, N. Y.

January 3, 1927. Mr. C. G. Vickery, Traffic Superintendent, Rochester Telephone Corporation, Rochester, N. Y.

I wish to thank all through the Bulletin for the cards and flowers sent me while I was ill.

Also for my disability benefits received. Sincerely yours,

(Signed) MARGARET BEGGS.

CHARLOTTE A most successful Christmas party was

held at Charlotte office on Wednesday

30

night, December 22. After a chicken dinner, Santa Claus presented each with a lovely gift. We were glad to have Mr. and Mrs. H. McKeegan with us as our guests. Needless to say we were sorry that Mr. Vickery and Mr. Maddocks could not be with us.

Someone saw Miss Richmond buying some silverware. What's the Joke, AH

Dan Cupid didn't desert us all did he, LiU Yes, it is some sparkler and we like it very much.

Whoever heard of George Estes closing a door. No girls, you'll have to wear spats to keep the draft off your feet.

Mrs. Carroll sems to be quite a favorite with the Charlotte subscribers. Now, Marie, be careful of your diet.

It's become quite a joke for Mrs. Gibaud to carry her set home. Is Ed taking lessons, Rosef

Who said our Chief Operator wasn't a good girl f Indeed-once upon a time Gret was a Sunday School t eacher. But-those days are gone forever.

Say AI, what's happened to the Dodge f Has it broken down or doesn't Ed visit Charlotte any moref

PLANT Edward Collins and Gang which consists

of J. Allen, G. Barron, S. Brady, W. Lappan, L. Murry, G. Thomas and T. Welch did a very efficient and rush job in placing 2,800 Ft. 200 Pr, 22 Ga. Aerial Cable and 9 Terminals on Monroe Avenue. This work will provide facilities for new property developments and furnish much needed service east of the Twelve Corners.

This cable was spliced in record time by G. Welch, C. Kelly, W. Wagner and F. Stoetzel under the supervision of G. White. Work on this job was started December 10, 1926 and completed December 23, 1926.

Estimate 484 in the Wilder Building, Corner of State and Exchange Street, provided for the placing and splicing of approximately 710 Ft. of from 16 Pr, to 300 Pr. Subsidiary and House Cable; the placing of 21 Ft. 16 Pr. Terminals and 200 Pr. Cross-Conneeting Box. The work planned was to provide suitable house cable distributing system and to take care of several delayed orders in this building. Work was started September 8, 1926 and completed December 20, 1926 by F. Zahn, T. Corbo, D. Pye, E. Arthur and C. Mann, under the


direct supervision of P. Smelt. Estimate 474 provides for Underground

Cable relief in the northern section of the Glenwood Central Office District. This estimate covers the placing and splicing of approximately 13,300 Ft. of 900 Pr. 22 Ga; 100 Ft. of 600 Pr. 22 Ga., and 2,750 Ft. of 450 Pr. 19 Ga. Underground Cable.

This Estimate also provides for the removal of approximately 3,665 Ft. of 200 Pr. 19 Ga; 860 Ft. of 150 Pr. 19 Ga., and 800 Ft. of 50 Pr. 22 Ga. Underground Cable and in addition many bad cable throws in connection with providing relief.

The work was handled in an efficient manner by: A. Gangross and Gang which consists of W. Adams, H. Cowden, R. Ennis, 0. Gough, L. Mothorpe, W. Oakley, E . Stewart, N. Thayer and P. Woodard, who pulled in the several sizes of Underground Cable.

Splicing of the cable was done by F. Yawman and Gang which consisted of H . Burrows, C. Donovan, S. Harris, C. Fehlner, S. Wood, H. Cooper, J. Renaud, F. O'Donnell, R. Fisher, C. Kelly, E. Rosenbaum, W . Gilbert, E. Guerin, E. Thompson, H. Wirth, H. Waffle, J. Slattery, W. Roth, J. Valentine, E, Mothorpe, W. Griffith, S. McKissock, J. Dunn, H . Waffle, L . Cook and W. Oakes.

We have a ll been reading in the daily papers about the new addition to the Chamber of Commerce building, which we know makes more work for the telephone men.

This new addition will contain the P. B. X. switchboard of the Chamber of Commerce, Community Chest and Retail Merchants Council. Some idea of the amount of work necessary to cut these three boards in service may be gleaned from the following: Approximately 12,600 feet of inside wire, and 134 feet 100 pr. cable was used on the three installations. Whitey Hansen was foreman of the job with F. Chesterton, J. Kehoe, G. Fell, D. Smith, W. Ellis and E . Higginson helping.

During the month of December we completed the installation of a new two-position P. B. X . at the Board of Education, a total of seventy-three stations and thirteen trunks being installed. J. Gillott, H. Dolan, F. Steffen and F. Mahon installed the stations. Whitey Hansen installed the board.

LAUGH THIS OFF Mr. Bruce: "Is Mr. Boylan in, Miss

Sheridan~'' Miss Sheridan: "No, he is out of the

office.'' Mr. Bruce: "Will you tell him that

"Chase" passed away at 4 P. M., to-day f " Miss Sheridan: "That's too bad. I

didn't know that Mr. Chase was sick.'' Mr. Bruce: ''He wasn't, but we com

pleted the final transfer of party lines from Chase to Monroe this afternoon and the Chase Central Office is now out of existence.' '

Miss Sheridan finally recover ed her

31

composure and delivered the ''good'' news to Mr. Boylan.

TRAFFIC SUPERINTENDENT Rochester, N . Y.

December 15, 1926. Mr. C. G. Vickery, Rochester Telephone Corporation, Rochester, N. Y. Dear Sir:

Please accept my sincere thanks for sick benefits r eceived during my recent illness. These were very much appreciated, as was also the attention given me by Miss New-man.

Sincerely yours, (Signed) MARTHA BUCHANAN.

EAST ROCHESTER This note was found on the Wire Chief's

desk . Dear Santa Claus:

I've been a real good boy and only wish for one thing for Christmas and that is a gas heater for my office and please send a box of matches with it. Come early.

F. J. ARDEN. The East Rochester girls wish to con

gratulate Webster on their new switchboard.

The operators of the East Rochester Exchange held their annual Christmas party at the home of Mrs. Lillian Andrews. The girls presented their Chief Operator, Mrs. Minnie Rayforth, with a beautiful silk umbrella. After a bountiful luncheon gifts were exchanged by the operators. Gifts sent by several subscribers were also opened. We wish to thank the following subscribers :

W. H. Hillman, Mr. and Mrs. Dean Rose, Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Norton, Mr. and Mrs. B. J. Fryatt, Mr. Harry Brady, Despatch Lumber Co., W . J. Schuy, Bown Bros., Inc., Despatch Coal & Produce Co.

GLENWOOD The Glenwood girls wish to convey

through the Bulletin th eir appreciation of having Miss Herley as their leader for a short time and they miss her very much. Also wish to express this same feeling for Miss Eberwein and are hoping they do not lose her just when they get acquainted.

We hope Mary Belmont and Virgina Espenshade will benefit by their daily open

Can you find me?- Nate Vickery.


air exercise. Julia 0 'Dell and Carmel Eberwein tried to k eep up to them but were forced to give up after the first day.

These girls are the stars at Glenwood for th is month: Mrs. Gent for repetition, Miss Meisenecker for testing, Mrs. Gearing, the Misses B ergevin, Evans and G. Waite for the highest ratings.

Who can beat 98%f Watch the next Bulletin for the highest ratings.

The oth er afternoon Mr. Vickery and Mr. Maddocks visited the Glenwood office. Miss Hendricks did her part by openly falling for them. We hear it was cleverly done, Elsie, but let us all in on it the next time.

Miss Catherine Bolen, one of our 100% operators, has been made a Supervisor. We a ll wish her the best of luck and success.

Mr. Moody wishes to thank Santa Claus through the Bulletin for the real cart, straw and bananas.

We a re a ll glad to know tha t Miss Foote has b een made desk supervisor. Congratulations, Dot!

'l'he Misses Burdick, Corbitt, 0 'Dell and G. Waite lost no time during the year of 1926. Th e Misses Alter, Almansberger, Foote, B. Waite, and Wattan averaged one day for the whole year. Miss 0 'Dell has lost no time since transferred to Glenwood from P a rk which is nearly three years.

The next time Miss Detchle collects for the Sunshine Box, Mrs. Colston hopes the pitcher will not be fille.d with water. Miss Cahill does not mind as long as she does not have to fi sh for it.

Marge W atton surprised us by coming in with a new sparkling jewel the day after her birthday. Congratulations, Marge!

GENESEO Annabelle M cCaughey came X-Mas morn

ing with a sparkler on h er left hand. Congratulations, Annabelle.

Margaret Kelly has changed her name to Mrs. Elmer Dowling a nd is to make her home in Florida.

Mr. Samuel J ennings act ed as Santa Claus for th e children of the Geneseo exchange. Every evening between 6 and 7 he accepted calls at his r esidence for the little girls and boys who called to talk with Santa Claus. Many thanks, Mr. J ennings. It helped us out a great deal.

The X-Mas party was a success in Geneseo. Many lovely gifts were received and a good time was had by all .

Mrs. Reynolds, former Chief Operator, visited i n the Geneseo Exchange X-Mas evening. We were glad to see you and hope you will come often.

VICTOR Twenty-four pounds of candy and a box

of stationery for each operator were enjoyable Christmas gifts from our subscribers.

Our night operator Mrs. Concannon entertained twelve friends at a bountiful Christmas dinner .

32

Miss Frances Mcintosh of Canandaigua, who is supplying in Miss K eefe's place while ill, is a very welcome addition to our force . We all like her very much.

MAIN F. Brown, H. Gribbroek, and D. Piper

a r e in the hospital at this time. We all hope they will make their visits as short as possible and be back to work in better hea lth than they ever enjoyed.

Recent appointments at Main are: Eliza. beth Gildersleeve, Supervisor; Ruth Brewster and Cathryn Duffy, Junior Supervisors. Congratulations, girls.

The ma ny friends of Mrs. George Gibney form erly, Emma Frinke, will be glad t~ hear she is the proud mother of a little daughter.

The most popular spot at Main is the new straight forward position to Monroe. Is it the position, or the girls f

Several of our girls attended the vocal r ecital given at the St. Mary's Nurses Home Auditorium Saturday, February 4th. Miss Holladay, our evening Chief Operator, sang three solos, also several duets. She is being complimented on having a very fine contralto voice a nd i s fast winning recognition. Miss Holladay was presented with several beautiful bouquets.

The following girls have joined the Main Oper ating Force: Luella Yauch, Blanche Gilmore, Laura Morrill, Dolores Gutman Mary A. H einlein, Geraldine H . Hoffman: Lillie Hoc.hreiter, Anna H einlein, and Marion Greenson.

Dickey Beachman, little four year old son of Mrs. Richard B eachma n, formerly Miss Mary Sloan of Main, was going on a hiking trip with his moth er, when he saw her dressed in her knickers, he started to cry. When his mother asked him why he was crying he said, ''Ta k e them off Muser, please take them off. I don't want two Daddies, I wa nt a Muser.''

The Main night girls welcome M. Moyer, I. Cooper, F.Balsis, and E . Woloszyn on the force. Hope you will enjoy working with us.

The Main night girls r egret losing temporarily t,h eir Chief Operator, Miss M. Holladay, who is Acting Evening Chief Operator. Hope you ' II be with us a gain soon.

W e are wondering who taught Fra nk Morley th e sti le strip. Our ''Official '' operators appreciate his perfect enunciation when calling for numbers.

Life is full of pleasant surprises. Just when you think your luck has vanished forever you put a cent in a slot machine and get two pieces of gum.

'' Farm and Fireside.'' ALL HIS FAULT.

"Beans! B eans! B eans!", stormed the wrathful husband, as he sat down to the table. ''Can't you cook a nything but beansf " "Maybe", answered the sarcastic wife, "if you brought home more


Left, Front Row, Le ft to Right : Marcella Riley, Estella Mack. Bernice Nolan, Helen Carlin. Right, ~'ront Row, Left to Right : Tessie G!eichaur, Bernice Nolan, Helen Ca rlin.

Back Row, Left to Right : Mildred Hazen, Irene Miller, Carol Shermw1, Catherine Barker.

beans in the pay envelope, you wouldn't have so many on th e t a ble.''

''The Progressive Grocer.'' The following employees have perfect at

t enda nce to their credit for 1926: I. Barker L . Krueger M. B a rker K. Norton L. B ergman C. Rummell H . Bohrer G. Thompson I. Ca rey E. Tizza rd R. H eisner E . Weber

REVEN UE ACCOUr TING

The a bove pictures of some of the Revenue A ccounting girls, were taken during the summ er of 1921 in the entrance of th e Triangle Building. Two of the girls, H elen Carlin and Catherine Barker, ha ve since left the Company to enter a convent. W e still have with us Irene Miller, Estella Mack, Bernice Nolan and H elen Gordon.

On Friday, F ebruary 4, 1927, the Misses Mann, Mayo, Reynolds, Wiseman, Flanagan and euwirth of the Accounting Department, Miss LeSch ander, of th e Voucher Department, Mrs. Dodson and Miss Vick, of the Addressograph Department, and Miss Nolan, of the Stenographic Department, surprised Mrs. Walter Harvey, nee Florence Welch, a former Accounting girl, at her home in Brighton. The evening was spent in playing cards, talking over old times, ea ting, and admiring the new member of the Harvey family, Walter, junior.

A f ew girls of the Accounting Department had a bowling party at Eyer's on Lake Avenue, on Tuesday, January 25, 1927, and everyone had a good time although they may not have had good scores.

MONROE

Th e Monroe girls extend their sympathy to Miss Gladys Cuddeback and Louise DeLong in their recent ber eavement.

The Monroe supervisors gave a farewell party F ebruary the fourth to Mrs. Lois Dangler at the home of Miss A. Neuscheler. Mrs. Dangler has been with us for seven years. We miss her smiling face .

33

Mr. Vickery requested other offices to re port operators with a perfect attendance for 1926. Monroe wishes to report the following: Isabel Case Edna Gleisle Gladys Cuddeback Irene Pinkley Louis Grass Ruth Stoller

Honorable mention to Gertrude M eye r and H azel Slater with only one-half day's absence.

The Monroe girls wish to extend their praise to Mrs. Algers for her wonderful dinners. She sure is some cook. Nobody goes on a diet here. ·

Miss Boland says it isn't going to happen for another year yet, but the way she has been shopping lately we are getting rather suspicious. Don't fool us, Ruth.

Miss Aiken sure has us all guessing. Every noon she w alks to Cobbs Hill. Must be some great attrac tion, what is it, Bef

Why did Mr. Pierson blush the other nighU

Miss DeLong, ''One milk shake, please. ' ' Miss Beacher says she never ''fell'' for

Bernice Nolan, at the age of 7 months.


anyone. But we know she fell once and f ell hard for a conductor. How about it, Margaretf

Miss Holschue never believed in Romance but she changed her mind since Christmas. Congratulations, Lydia .

We were wondering why Miss Bergman refused to accept congratulations but I think we have solved the ~!lestion. It seems the diamond came in a l'i6x of candy. Some poor candy maker must be ¥Jinus a ring. We have heard of rings coming on sticks of candy but not in a box of chocolates.

We have to hand it to Mi es Orlop, she sure has it behind h er ears.

C. Wilson has a lot of nerve stealing someone else's boy friend. How about it, Marv f

Mlss Doran had to stand on the platform from Syracuse to Wat ertown. She said it was terribly cold. We wonder what was wrong with Lem 's arm strong heater .

Mr. Pierson took a dvantage of Neisner Bros., opening. We certainly are glad he bought it when he dill. It saved us all a donation.

Miss H art spent an enjoyable evening one night last week when Aloysius took her to the Temple. She says he is a good f ellow, so girls do your stuff.

Mrs. Leflett has r eturned to duty after several weeks illness. We are glad to see you back, Mary, and hope you don't have to be out any more. .

Miss Cuddeback had a ride home from work the other day and a f ew days lat er she refused the same party. She says she needs the exercise.

Congratulations, Miss Garrison, the diamond is a beauty. You will have to wear it night and day now to make up for the past two years carrying it around your neck.

We know the young girls of to-day need protection on the streets in the evening. But Miss Cowan and· Miss Caskey think they need protection in the A. M., as well. But watch your step girls, these cops are dangerous.

Miss Adamska missed a ''Golden Opportunity'' a f ew evenings ago. Now just what that golden opportunity was we will never know. But we do know he was a very disappointed lad.

STONE Our sympathy is extended to Marguerite

Wood who is now spending her eighth week in the L ee Hospital. We are happy to announce however tha t she is improving, and will soon be permitted to go home.

Marie Wilkinson who has been laid up with a broken leg since October 12th is slowly improving.

M. Bell, C. Coughlin, and A. Kief er a re also on the sick list.

Genevieve Fisher, Lillian Barrett, Ina Russell and G. Irwin, who were absent on account of illness, have returned to duty .

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This Is Dorothy Foote In the arms of Clara Begy of Culver. Miss Foote has just been appointed desk supervisor at Glenwood, and Miss Begy Is Evening Chief Operator at the Culver Oftlce.

M. Caulkins, Lu. Brown, C. Lauer, and G. Coughlin have resigned during the past month. We are sorry to lose them and wish them the best of good fortune.

We extend a cordia l greeting to the juniors recently transferred to us from the Training Department: K. Fitzgera ld, H. Fuller, E. Wemitt, E. Boas.

These a re the only items of news which a re available to the Chief Operator. If Stone operators wish to see their other activities mentioned they should turn in their notices of events.

GENESEE Peg! What was wrong with the figs f

Wonder if Collette can t ell us. Genesee is lonesome without our Alice

who resigned to accept a switchboard a t the Board of Education. Good luck and our best wishes for you in your new work.

Miss Theresa Smith, night operator, has a record of not being absent during the year of 1926. We hope many employees will try for a similar r ecord of attendance for 1927.

Ada wants a r adio or an aeroplane. Some station must sound good to her, which one is it, or why f

We would suggest 0 'Sullivan's rubber heels for Walter. It will mak e night walking with Junior much easier.

Hazel and Anna are champion nib players. F avorite color, green. While the locker room was not intended for this pastime it served th e purpose very well.

Genesee girls welcome Miss Monto,


With only a few weeks of bowling left, our boys arc burning 'em up. In making a comparison with oth er leagu es in th e city, our own is conside red one of the fastest on the alleys this season. Nine hundred games arc being roll ed consist· ently; in fact a team must bowl nin e hun · clred or better to keep them in the "Win " co lumn. Several exceptional scores have been hung up during the past month, in · e luding a 248 by '' J·. Thomas Smith'' of "Cough Drop Fame" and "Ye Oldc Reli:tbl e ", "Bernard Francis McNeil" i s cr:twling to the top. His 653 total being a worth enough mark for a ny league.

Maintenance, Cable, Installation and Triangle teams still continue to provide the fire works, with Construction within striking distance of them all. 'l'he rejuvenated Engil1eers, afte r a late start, arc in there fighting with th eir backs to the (cellar) wall, and holding their oppon ents in s light margins. Th eir win with only three men, over the Regu lar Cable Team provided the star performaJJce in the league. 'rhey also lost two 900 games to the In· stall ers, so we'd say theirs is a team worthy of being among the leade rs.

"Ed" Wirth, " Chris" Maddocks and Jack Gaze have r eturnl'd to the fold and are specializing in nothing less than 200 games.

'l'hc Maintenance team, including Stew-

(Continued from Page 26)

phones, ·which l1e placed in nearby houses, connecting- all five on an extension of the orig-inal private line. At that time he signed the first telephone lease. Exchange.

fonuerly operator at Culver, also the girls transferred to Genesee f rom Training De· partmcnt..

No more late time at Gillette has promised to Ladder factories look out. for one.

Genesee. Mr. sec to that.

He has no use

W e had several song birds at Genesee Thursday, February 3rd. '!' hanks to the menu prepared by Miss Eisle.

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art Bowie, rolled another interesting match game with a team composed of ·western ElectJ·ic Co mpany employees on January 14th at Genesee Hall, and as usua I our boys emerged victorio us, winning all events. Jack Smith was the individua l star of the evening, with a 254 score. W c are unabl e to print the scores of the match because in the excitement, our President, Hartley Norman, mislaid the sheets, for which he apologizes.

Another match game has b ee n a rranged with St. Boniface t eam of the Catholic League for Saturday evening, February 12, at St. Boniface H all. "Joe " Frank says that our boys are in for a warm reception and scores will tell the story. Below is a standing of the clubs:

TEAM S'l'ANDINGS

Maintenance .. . ........... . Cable ... . ............... . . Installation . . .... ..... . . . . . Triangl e . . . . ... . ..... ..... . Construction ........ . ..... . Engineering ... . ........... .

EDJ.VIDUAL

Won 41 36 28 28 20

9

Lost 13 18 26 26 34 45

High Game High 3 Games Gochry .. . ... 252 MeN eil . . .... 653

'rEAM High Game High 3 Games

Triangle ...... 1025 Cable ...... 2842

RUSH Rush, N. Y.

January 5, 1927. C. G. Vickery, Traffi c Rupcrintendcnt, Rochester Telephone Co rporation. Dear Sir:

It is my sinr Prc desire to express lll.V

appreciation for the disability checks dur· ing my rece11t illn ess.

(MISS) S. MACK, (Signed) Rush, N. Y.

NAPLES Candy and grape JUICe were received

during Christmas from our subscribers for which we are very grateful.

Miss Mabel Randolph spent three clays i n Rocheste r during the holiday time and while there attended the wedding of a frie nd.

The new Monroe Central Otllcc at Field and Henrietta Streets, Rochester, New York.

Rochester Telephone Bulletin

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