USA > Massachusetts > Tracing the telephone in western Massachusetts, 1877-1930 > Part 31
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Oct., 1922, Topics-Frank A. Jones, upon the resignation of Harry A. Noyes, Chief Clerk in the Vermont Plant Dept., on account of ill health, has been appointed to that position. Mr. Jones is a young man but has spent many years in the Ac- counting and Auditing Departments, where he has had valu- able experience to prepare him for his new position. He first began his telephone career Sept. 1, 1908, working under R. P. Jones.
Clarence Hepburn, who came to work in 1910, was ap- pointed to take Mr. Jones' place in Rutland in charge of ac- counting in the Plant Dept. for the State.
Charles N. Tasker, Division Supt. of Plant for the Western Division, was promoted to the position of General Supt. of Plant in November, 1922, which place was formerly held by George H. Dresser, before his assignment to the General Man- agership of the Company. Mr. Tasker has been head of the Plant Dept. in the Western Division since November, 1918.
Jan. 1923, Topics-Ralph C. Marden, the new Division Supt. of Plant, has been a telephone man for nearly 30 years and knows the business from the ground up. Since he began to work for the Telephone Co. as a Night Operator at Clare- mont, N.H., he has occupied a number of positions and al- ways with credit to himself and to the Company. During these years he has been a Collector, Solicitor, Installer, Repairman, Lineman, Clerk, Cashier, Chief Clerk, District Supt., District Plant Chief and Division Supt. of Plant.
These positions were held in various places in N.H., Mass. and Vt. From Aug. 1, 1908, until his transfer to Springfield, he was in charge of the plant work in the state of N.H.
Division Engineer, Harry L. Jones, left the Western Di- vision in Nov., 1922, to become Division Engineer for the Metropolitan Division. He was appraised by Topics as a real
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man among men, loyal to them, working with and for them all the time.
Jan., 1923, Topics-Henry Denver died on December 5. He was born in Springfield and as a boy worked on a farm, in a newspaper office and as a telegraph operator. For years he was with the Western Union Telegraph Co., was in charge of the Associated Press wires and was Night Manager at Spring- field for eight years. He became actively connected with the Springfield office of the New England Telephone Co. in 1895 and continued his duties until July 1, 1914.
March, 1923, Topics-Charles A. Weston, formerly Man- ager of the Manchester, N.H. exchange, has been promoted to the position of District Manager of the Springfield, North- ampton and Pittsfield Districts. His telephone career dates back to July 1, 1900, when he began work as half-time Night Operator and Collector at Milford, Mass., and after six months he was transferred to N.H. as Inspector under C. L. Stone. Soon he returned to Milford, as Station Inspector.
Next he was Chief Operator at Fitchburg, then Manager at Rochester, N.H., and then transferred to Concord as Man- ager in 1907. On May 10, 1915, he was appointed Manager at Manchester. He is the originator of the New Hampshire Plan of Financial Supervision.
"Charlie" was of a musical turn, and was always ready to accompany on the piano at parties. An item in Topics, before he came to Springfield, will surprise many: "The rendition of 'Moonbeams,' a waltz song, and 'Closer, closer, Sweetheart, I love you,' a ballad, the two latest song hits by Manager Wes- ton of the Manchester District, have been repeatedly encored when played in local theatres and ballrooms."
Carl A. Hiland was transferred to the Western Division as Service Supervisor from Portland, where he was District Traf- fic Chief. Carl came with our Company as a Collector at Man- chester, N.H., in 1905. In 1906 he joined the Traffic Dept. Ever since, he has been an efficient, capable Traffic man, filling many jobs in the Western, New Hampshire, and State of Maine divisions satisfactorily.
John W. Spalding was transferred to the State of R.I. Di- vision to become Manager at Providence on May 1, 1923. Mr.
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Spalding had been active in civic affairs during the three years of his Managership at Springfield.
H. A. Amidon, Assistant Traffic Chief of the Springfield District, spent six weeks in Philadelphia taking a course in toll management-from which experience, great improve- ments were expected.
Willis-The telephone broadens a person's acquaintance.
Gillis-You bet. There are people who come in to use ours that I never saw before.
Miss Margaret D. McCarthy, River Chief Operator, was as- signed to the District Traffic Manager's office Sept. 9, 1923. She started her career as an Operator at Springfield July 8, 1907, and worked her way up to local Chief Operator of Springfield, being appointed to that position Sept. 25, 1916.
Her wide knowledge of operating conditions and practice recommended her for the important work of service matters and central office administration, which are involved in her new assignment.
Miss Edith H. Harkness, who succeeded Miss McCarthy as River Chief Operator, entered the employ of the Company as an Operator at Holyoke, Aug. 12, 1906. Just two years from this date she was appointed Chief Operator of the Holyoke office. Feb. 3, 1913, she was appointed Toll Chief Operator at Springfield. In Nov. 1920, she was transferred to the Dis- trict Traffic Chief's office and on Jan. 1, 1923, to the staff of the Division Supt. of Traffic as Instructor in charge of train- ing Central Office employees in the work of the so-called "140 Plan."
Miss Marguerite F. Parker, who was appointed Division In- structor, became an Operator Nov. 13, 1911, and afterwards was assigned to the Holyoke Exchange as a Central Office In- structor.
Sept. 20, 1923, Charles H. Pillsbury was transferred to the Northampton District Construction Dept., and April 21, 1924, became the District Foreman. He started with the Company in the Eastern Division Sept. 6, 1909, and was transferred to the Springfield Construction Dept. the next year. He was Right-of-Way Agent for about seven years prior to his North- ampton appointment.
PERTAINING TO METHODS AND RESULTS-ABOUT 1924
Left to right: Lewis Pierce, General Engineers office; Frank Buck, Springfield Wire Chief; Arthur Caverly, Springfield District Plant Chief; Cleveland Morey, Pittsfield Wire Chief; Harold McCausland, Worcester Wire Chief; John Forssen, Division Supervisor of Plant Methods; Wallace Parker, Division Foreman.
4
GENTS FURNISHERS.
A FLOATING GANG PICTURED IN FITCHBURG IN 1895
At right, Foreman Eli Jourey. Next to him (not the boy) a man holds a cant hook. Next is Jack Loubey, wearing spurs.
THE WESTERN DIVISION SUPERINTENDENTS-1923
Left to right: William B. Northrup, Commercial; Ralph C. Marden, Plant; George W. Hayden, Traffic.
THE SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT HEADS-1923
Left to right: H. P. Hansen, Plant Chief Clerk; A. J. McAulay, Plant Chief; C. A. Weston, Manager; H. P. Chapman, Traffic Chief; L. Merton, now Mrs. R. H. Dunbar; Ida Cross.
A
PLANT ENGINEERS WIN IN SPRINGFIELD DEPARTMENTAL BOWLING-1925 TO 1926
Standing, left to right: E. T. Sheriden, C. L. Knox, A. E. White. Seated: R. M. Hatheway, P. O. Cotti, Captain, A. J. Petronino.
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Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
Oct., 1923, Topics-Plant Department in Action.
At 1:30 Saturday afternoon, Sept. 9, fire broke out on the old North End bridge over the Conn. River in Springfield. District Plant Chief McAulay was early at the scene-he knew the bridge was doomed. Two 300-pair cables serving 1100 West Springfield subscribers, and 9 open-wire toll circuits were destroyed.
Then our organization began to function. To Mr. Mc- Aulay's office came Wire Chief Buck and Division Engineer Holt. Immediately Mr. Holt began the study of restoration. He planned to drop new cables into the bottom of the river about 75 feet from the bridge on its down-stream side. The 9 toll circuits were to be run from a tree on the up-stream side of the bridge in one span to a tree on the west bank of the river. This span was about 1200 feet. Mr. Holt had finished about 3:30 P.M.
All the while District Plant Chief McAulay was marshalling forces of a fine organization-river boats, and scows were of- fered, right of way permission secured-cables and material were on the way. Work on the toll circuits made rapid progress and the 9 toll lines were connected at 2 o'clock Sunday morning, 11 hours after the fire had been discovered.
Conduit men immediately dug a trench from a man hole on the W. Springfield side down to the water's edge. Cable splicers were on both sides of the river and in the middle of the river, and the fine wires were spliced as soon as the cable ends reached the men. Altogether about 3,600 splices were made and this work was finished at 3 o'clock Monday morning, 38 hours after the burning of the bridge.
About 100 men were engaged in the work under the di- rection of Augustus McAulay. District Plant Chief; Frank E. Croken, arranged right of way permissions; Charles E. Lyons, District Foreman; Wallace Parker, Division Foreman; Mi- chael H. Kenney, Conduit Foreman; Frank Buck, Wire Chief.
Oct., 1923, Topics-George A. Morley was appointed Dis- trict Traffic Chief of the Springfield District, Sept. 1, 1923. He began his telephone career in June, 1911, with the New York Telephone Co. as a Traffic Inspector at Rochester. He filled various positions in Rochester and Bugalo and in June
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Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
of 1922 he was again promoted to a bigger field, being placed in charge of the Buffalo Eastern District, which position he continued to fill, up to his present assignment.
Henry P. Chapman, on Sept. 12, 1923, was transferred to Boston as Traffic Supt. of the South Suburban District. During his 14 years of service as District Traffic Chief of Springfield he won the esteem and respect of those with whom he worked. The Central Offices also presented him a variety of personal gifts which will ever remind him of his loyal associates who learned to know-
That he it was, who always found in certain sorts of ways,
The time to give a word of cheer on certain busy days.
When problems vexed and certain things required a helping hand,
He'd give the certain sympathy we mortals under- stand.
Catherine McQuade was promoted from Assistant Chief Operator of the River Exchange to Routine Chief Operator in Sept., 1923.
Oct., 1923, Topics-Edward J. Quinn, Division Toll Wire Chief of the Western Division, was appointed Plant Super- visor of the Northampton District on Sept. 4. He came into the telephone business 21 years ago as Night Wire Chief for the Southern New England Telephone Co., at New Haven. He was transferred to Boston as a Toll Tester in the Circuit Manager's office. In 1905 he became Toll Wire Chief at Worcester and in 1914 he was appointed Division Toll Wire Chief for the Western Division.
John B. Powers, who succeeded Mr. Quinn as Division Toll Wire Chief, was first employed in Nov., 1916, as a student in the Toll Test room at Springfield. In April, 1923, after serving over seas with Company A of the 101st Engineers, he was ap- pointed Senior Toll Testman.
Raymond R. Snow succeeded Mr. Powers as Senior Toll Testman. He came to Springfield from Worcester, where he started in the business as a student in the Toll Test Dept.,
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Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
after which he successfully filled several jobs in the Plant Dept., the last being Toll Testman at Worcester.
Other Plant changes effective Sept. 4, 1923, were reported in Topics as follows:
The promotion of A. J. McAulay to Division Foreman of Construction.
Howard W. Ellis was appointed Division Supervisor of Supplies.
Maurice V. Fitzgerald became Division Supervisor of Meth- ods.
Luke E. Dean, Division Examiner, was promoted to Wire Chief at Fitchburg.
Clyde T. Hubbard was transferred to the New England Telephone Co. in Sept., 1923, working for the District Plant Engineer at Springfield. Clyde started with the Bell Tele- phone Co. of Pa. in Philadelphia July, 1917, as a Student En- gineer. After spending a few months there and in Harrisburg, he was assigned to the District Plant Engineers force at Read- ing as an Engineering Assistant, and in about a year and a half went to Scranton in the same capacity.
Howard W. Ellis, appointed Division Supervisor of Sup- plies Sept. 4, 1923, started to work for this Company Sept. 1, 1909, as a Stockman at Brockton, and after several assignments was transferred as Stockman to Pittsfield. Early in 1917 he was appointed District Storekeeper for the Pittsfield District.
Donald H. Sawtelle was transferred Oct. 27, 1923, to Athol as Wire Chief. "Don" had been on budget work in the Di- vision Engineers since April, 1919, when he returned from service in the First World War.
Richard J. Dee was promoted to the position of Force En- gineer in the Western Division in October, 1923. Mr. Dee entered the employ of the Company as a student in Boston, Sept. 1920. In Feb., 1921, he was transferred to Worcester as Assistant to Carl E. Parker, Worcester District Traffic Chief. He was there only a short time but was spoken of by Topics as "a good mixer and a rattling good traffic man." In Oct., 1922, he was moved to Providence, in the same capacity. "Dick" returned to Worcester in Jan., 1923, where he re- mained until his transfer to Springfield.
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Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
Maurice S. Blaisdell was elected President and Manager of the Western Mass. Telephone Workers Credit Union. Maurice joined the Company in Fitchburg, Feb. 1, 1899, and became Fitchburg District Plant Chief. He has been serving as Division Special Agent since Sept. 12, 1920.
Nov., 1923, Topics-Stuart R. Darnley is an Installer in the Springfield Area who has taken an active interest in First Aid and Accident Prevention. Recently he had an opportunity to demonstrate his knowledge of First Aid in a very effective manner.
An automobile crashed into the rear of a street car and a young lady received a broken leg in addition to other injuries. Darnley, who was standing near the scene of the accident, applied First Aid to the young woman and, at the same time, put in a call for a doctor and an ambulance. He applied a splint, which consisted of a policeman's "billy", doing the splint up with a belt and handkerchief. He had just finished this job when the doctor arrived. Darnley assisted the doctor in applying gauze bandages, and then arranged for the young woman to be taken to the hospital.
The thoroughness with which he applied the splint and the coolness he displayed in his work was the subject of much com- ment by those who witnessed the accident.
Robert W. Murdick entered the employ of the Company Dec. 31, 1923, and was assigned to the Springfield office as Commercial Representative.
Frank J. Healy was transferred to Springfield in the spring of 1924 to become the first Division Auditor of Receipts of the Springfield Accounting office. Mr. Healy started his Tele- phone career in Nov., 1906, in the Boston office as a book- keeper, where he spent four years. In 1910 he was transferred to Manchester, N.H., as District Auditor of Receipts, leaving Manchester one year later to serve in a similar capacity in Lowell.
Grace I. Mudge was attracted to the telephone business in May, 1924, in the Revenue Accounting office, which was in the Poli Building, 196 Worthington Street. Her first task was sorting toll tickets and the next one consisted of inscribing addressograph plates used in billing. Then came a position
Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts 381
which seemed to be to her liking,-classifying Service orders and making out reports. If anyone wanted to know how many telephones and lines there were in an exchange, a dis- trict or the division; or how many 2RS, PBXs, extensions; or how many connections and disconnections; etc.,- her reports would appraise one of the facts.
A report from Topics indicates the transfer of the Worcester Accounting Office to Springfield: A novelty dance was held at Melha Temple, on the evening of May 7, 1924, by Revenue Accounting Dept. girls in honor of the Worcester girls, who have recently joined the Springfield force. A large crowd at- tended and favors were distributed.
The guest of the evening was R. P. Jones, Auditor of Receipts, Boston. The committee in charge consisted of Miss Yvonne LeBlanc, chairman, and the Misses Mary Anthony, Evelyn Bourque and Nellie Leete.
William W. Denning was transferred from the Fitchburg District to Springfield in 1924, as an Installer of central office equipment. He entered the employ of the Company in 1905, later going with the New York Telephone and Western Elec- tric Companies on central office construction and as an Inspec- tor of central office equipment. In 1915 he came to the Fitch- burg District as an Installer of central office equipment, his next move being to Springfield, where he was later appointed Division Supervisor of Central Office Power.
"What name are you calling?"
"McCohen," the customer answered.
"I beg pardon?" asked the operator.
"McCohen."
The wire was silent for a moment, then the girl said: "Wait a moment, please. I think the wires are crossed."-Topics.
Miss Rose Carlin was appointed Chief Operator of the River Exchange in May, 1924. Miss Carlin entered the em- ploy of the Company Jan. 3, 1910, and became Supervisor in less than a year. On June 4, 1917, she was appointed Assistant Chief Operator. Miss Carlin, according to Topics, is a con- scientious and thorough worker, and well known throughout the Western Division.
June, 1924, Topics-Springfield on Two Unit Basis.
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Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
The Commercial office has been placed on a two-unit basis. The River unit cares for the needs of 20,000 subscribers in the River Exchange; the Walnut unit cares for 18,000 sub- scribers in Walnut, Orchard, Chicopee, Ludlow and East Longmeadow.
The unit managers are directly responsible for the opera- tions of their respective divisions. The counter agents meet the public, chiefly with regard to new installations, regrades, change of locations, etc.
Wayne D. Wood, who has been acting as Office Manager, is appointed Manager of the River Unit.
E. Warner Eldridge is appointed Manager of the new Wal- nut Unit. He has served as Commercial Representative since January 10, 1921.
June, 1924, Topics-Voice Training.
Realizing the importance of the proper use of the voice in our work and to develop this to the fullest possible extent, a course of training in voice technique has been started in the Western Division. Increased accuracy and efficiency of operat- ing through improved enuniciation or clearness of speaking, greater ease of talking by operators through using their voices sparingly and quietly, so as to increase the resonance or car- rying power. The first class consisting of the Chief Operators of the larger offices, under the direction of Miss Marguerite Parker, Division Supervising Instructor, was held in Spring- field.
June, 1924, Topics-Springfield, Northampton and Pitts- field Districts have come into their own again. Edward ("Ted") J. Tyer has been appointed Associate Editor for Tele- phone Topics for these sections of the Western Division with "Ned" Coolidge taking care of the Worcester and Fitchburg Districts.
Robert G. Bleakney reported to the Students Training Program in Boston June 30, 1924, and the next day saw him on his way to Springfield. His training here was not of the class room variety, but called for the donning of overalls and helping in various kinds of plant work,-such as sitting in a manhole on Liberty Street helping George Campbell splice
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Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
a cable. Some traffic training in manual operation was also pro- vided.
In the fall of 1924, "Bob" Bleakney returned to Springfield to work on the Mass. Inventory, with Harry Gallup and Lewis Pierce. This was a complete inventory to establish the value of the Company's outside plant, for the 1925 rate case. In early 1925, "Bob" was transferred to Maine to assist in the inventory there.
July, 1924, Topics-Changes in the Western Division Plant.
Recently Division Plant Supt. R. C. Marden announced the following promotions: John B. Powers, transferred to the office of Toll Line Engineer, Boston; William S. Mason, appointed Division Toll Wire Chief; M. V. Fitzgerald, transferred to the office of the General Supervisor of Supplies, Boston; John W. Forssen, appointed Division Supervisor of Meth- ods; Homer J. Hebert, appointed Division Equipment Fore- man; Howard W. Ellis, appointed Division Supervisor of Motor Vehicles in addition to Divison Supervisor of Supplies; Charles E. Davis, appointed Division Equipment Engineer; Harry W. Muzzy, appointed Central Office Installation Fore- man; Frank L. Buckley, appointed Assistant to Division Super- visor of Methods; E. E. Geoffrion, appointed District Chief Clerk, Fitchburg District.
Margaret E. Vail was transferred from Worcester to the Springfield Revenue Accounting office in 1924. She started her telephone career Feb. 28, 1909, and advanced through the various stages of the work to positions of responsibility. Her cheerfulness and spirit of co-operation have earned her a well deserved popularity with her associates.
W. B. Northrup, Division Commercial Supt., was trans- ferred to Boston to take the newly created position of Super- visor of Methods for the Commercial Dept., in August, 1924.
C. W. Dufresne was transferred to the Western Division to take Mr. Northrup's place. Mr. Dufresne was Division Com- mercial Supt. of the State of Maine Division until his pro- motion.
C. A. Weston, Springfield District Manager, was transferred to the new position of Division Commercial Assistant for the Western Division, in Aug., 1924. Having had considerable
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Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
experience in budget work, covering revenues and expenses and in the estimating of line and station growth, together with Plant and Traffic experience, he is particularly well qualified to assume his new duties.
Sept., 1924, Topics-John H. Weinheimer was transferred from Central District Manager, Metropolitan Division, to Dis- trict Manager, Springfield, including Springfield, Pittsfield and the Northampton areas. Mr. Weinheimer began work with this Company in December, 1908, in the Auditing Dept. and after filling various positions was transferred to the Commer- cial Dept. in the Metropolitan District as a Contract Agent. After two years he was transferred to the Division office as assist- ant to the Chief Clerk. In Aug., 1912, he was appointed Mana- ger at Bar Harbor. Many positions followed-Chief Clerk to James H. Barry, Metropolitan Division Commerical Supt., South Suburban Office Manager; Chief Clerk to George W. Conway; Coin Box Manager, where he made several improve- ments; and Collection Manager of the Metropolitan Division Aug. 13, 1917. May 12, 1919, after serving for more than 10 months with the American Red Cross at Washington, he was appointed Chief Clerk to General Commerical Supt. Whitney.
George H. Downs was assigned to the Springfield test board in 1924. George started with the Company in 1911, repairing switchboard cords, and worked up to be Central Office Repair- man.
Sept., 1924, Topics-Managers' Conference at Springfield.
At a Managers' Conference held at the Hotel Kimball, on Aug. 20th, a good-bye party to former Division Commercial Supt., W. B. Northrup, and a welcome to the new Division Supt., C. W. Dufresne, was held.
Those present included W. B. Northrup, C. W. Dufresne, H. E. Hughes, C. A. Weston, J. C. Fair, J. J. Barry, E. F. Sidley, W. D. Hearn, J. J. Lynch, W. R. Henderson, F. G. Kegler, Miss H. M. Leamy, H. W. Emerson, R. D. Fuller, J. F. Shaw, W. S. Knox, G. F. Cheney, H. B. Ransehousen, J. F. Enwright, R. H. Hoit, R. P. Wilbur and L. P. Lanthier of the Commercial Dept .; and Division Supt. of Plant R. C. Marden, District Plant Chiefs Breslin, Mixer and Caverly of the Plant Dept .; District Traffic Chiefs Morley, Holt and Ross
Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts 385
of the Traffic Dept .; Division Auditor of Receipts Healey and District Revenue Supervisor Dinsmore of the Accounting Dept., and last, but not least, W. H. Stedman, former Manager at North Adams. It was with regret that E. J. Quinn and L. V. Gillis and Division Supt. of Traffic G. W. Hayden were un- able to attend the party.
Oct., 1924, Topics-On Oct. 1, 1924, the territory of our Company was divided into five divisions, instead of seven. Western Division,-former Western Mass. Division, with addition of the State of Vermont,-headquarters will be at Springfield. R. C. Marden will be Division Plant Supt. for the Western Division and C. L. Vaughn, Plant Supt. for the State of Vermont, reporting to Division Supt. Marden. B. T. Miller will be Division Supt. of Traffic with S. F. Parker as Supt. of Traffic for Vermont reporting to him. Mr. Miller was acting Supt. of Traffic in the Worcester District for nearly a year.
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