THE EXCHANGE GIRL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3550, 14 June 1912, Page 5

THE EXCHANGE GIRL.

“HEF? DAYS NUMBERED-’

AUTOMATIC TELEPHONES AND HOW THEY WOE If. .

Bv Telegraph—Special Correspondent WELLINGTON. June 13.

During his recent tour abroad Mr T. M. Wilford had an opportunity of inspecting a new automatic telephone which is now in great rogue in America. No telephone girls are required in this system. A little round metal disc with" numbers from one to nought is attached to the ordinary telephone, and a person desiring to ring up gives a half turn to this disc and placing the finger in each number to make the required call.' For instance, if a person required number 396 he would place a finger in turn on three on nine and on six. That would ring a hell in the building occupied by the subscriber who had number 3PG, and there would be an immediate connection. Should the line he engaged a buzzing sound comes back which means ‘'engaged,” and the placing of the receiver on the hook gives up Die connection. Telephones can be used at all times day and night and require no manual service in the exchange, but work automatically. “I believe,” said Mr Wilford,/ ‘that just as the days of firemen in ships are numbered through, the introduction of oil so in the course of time the automatic telephone will cause the exchange girl to disappear also.”