MODERN TELEPHONY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8460, 10 June 1907, Page 5

MODERN TELEPHONY.

AN INTERESTING DESCRIPTION. ! IMPROVEMENT IN THE MAS- , TERTON SERVICE FORESHADOWED. In view of the improved system of telephony being introduced into the exchanges of several of the larger centres of the colony, one of which should subsequently be installed in Masterton, the following interesting , description of probably the most highly developed system, supplied ; by a member of the local telegraph office staff, should prove instructive to our readers. It should be re- , marked, firstly, that the object of inventors in deve'oping this important industry has been to reduce to the lowest possible minimum the amount of work required from exchange subscribers. This means a reduction in the amount of (apparatus used at the subscribers' end of the circuit, and a corresponding increase in the duties of the operator. The former is at once an advantage, and the latter drawback was obviated by introducing automatic devices at the exchange, so that such duties as calling a wanted subscriber and restoring the indicator (formerly done by hand) were carried out without any extra effort on the operator's part. What actually takes place, as far as the subscriber is concerned, is as follows.—Taking the receiver off the hook, without any other procedure whatever, automatically calls the attention of the exchange, and replacing it automatically gives the signal for disconnection. Could anything be simpler? This is accomplish- j ed by so arranging the circuit with respect to the hook that the up and down movements of the latter perform the double function of switching the bell off while the speaking apparatus is on, and vice versa, and of actuating the indicator at the exchange. The ringer and battery are done away with in connection with the subscribers, and only the transmitter and receiver, by which he talks and hears, and the signalling will remain. At the exchange the signalling device takes the form of a very small incandescent lamp, which glows to signify a call and automatically extinguishes when' the answer is received. One subscriber is connected through to another by means of flexible cord conductors terminating in metallic plugs. One of these pliugs is inserted into the circular switch connected to the line of one subscriber and the other inserted into the switch of the other subscriber. The operator calls the wanted subscriber by simply pressing a button connected across this cord, thereby bringing a battery current into circuit which rings the subscriber's bell. The operator knows when a ! subscriber has answered by means of lamps used as indicators, two of which are associated with each cord conductor, i.e., one for subscriber. The lamps are both out s while the conversation is being cari ricd on, and each glows as each sub- : scribe? hangs his receiver on the hook. Whatever condition the lamps are in is a sure indication to the operator whether the line is engaged ' or not. Thus the work of the attendant is simplified and accelerated to the utmost extent, and is made more accurate than formerly. Subscribers ! are often loth to believe that an 1 operator is more quickly able to J discover when a certain line'is en- ' gaged than the subscriber himself ! would be able to gain the attention [ of his correspondent. There is no ' comparison between the two. The rapidity with which an attendant can give such information is accounted for " by the fact that the system has been so highly developed that a simple tapping on the wanted subscriber's 1 switch discldses a well-defined click, ; indicating the state of the circuit (if ', engaged) without a word being '. spoken. It is to be hoped that Masterton will soon have such a service, but this cannot very well be until a second wire instead of the earth is , used as a return circuit for the eleci trie current.