USA > Massachusetts > Tracing the telephone in western Massachusetts, 1877-1930 > Part 33
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John Forssen started to work in 1896, and was appointed Foreman in Boston in 1907. In 1909 he was transferred to
Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts 397
Springfield as Division Foreman and in 1924 went to Pittsfield as District Plant Chief.
Charles E. Lyons and Ralph L. Sheppard were appointed Construction Supervisor and Maintenance Supervisor, re- spectively, in the enlarged Springfield District, in August, 1926.
William H. Shea was transferred from Northampton to Springfield as Special Agent for the Division, attending to 'right of way' affairs. Starting with the Company at Northamp- ton in 1900 as Night Operator, he worked up to Wire Chief by 1911, and was appointed Special Agent of the Northampton District in 1923.
C. W. Baier has been appointed District Traffic Manager of the Springfield District, coming from the Southern Division where he was Division Supervisor of Traffic. He came to the New England Co. in 1924 from the Bell Telephone Co. of Penn. Clarence has been a Telephone man for 12 years. Before his transfer to this Company he was District Supt. of Traffic for the Trenton, N. J., District.
Sept., 1926, Topics-Golf Match
The first annual golf match of the Springfield-Worcester Commercial Districts of the Western Division was fought on the Cohasse Golf Club in Southbridge, July 24.
The Springfield representatives presented a well balanced team and they were showing the Worcester representatives what to do and what not to do on a golf course.
The Springfield team was comprised of Capt. "Bob" Pruyn, "Al" Starr, "Jack" Lucier, "Max" Holmes, Ralph Hoit, Harold Ransehousen.
The Worcester team was composed of Capt. "Jim" Fair, "Jimmie" Williams, "Porge" Murphy, "Art" Frostholm, "Ed" Warner, "Fred" Kegler. Williams was the star performer of the day, turning in a card of 88.
After all was said and done the totals proved the Springfield crowd superior by three strokes. After a chicken banquet, pre- pared in real Southern style, toastmaster Frostholm congratu- lated the Springfield representatives on their showing. Cap- tain Pruyn invited the Worcester boys to a return match at his home club in Westfield.
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Sept., 1926, Topics-In connection with the placing and splicing of central office cable for the new Springfield Machine Switching Unit, the seemingly impossible proposition of com- pletion by August 15, was given to District Foreman Charles E. Lyons to accomplish. But little things like this never worry Charlie.
Equal to the occasion, Mr. Lyons, with his Supervising Con- struction Foreman D. J. Thomas, not only accomplished this but did it in such a way that he saved making about 36 1200 pr. splices at a money saving on this one job of about $2600, and also saved about 180 feet of 1200 pr. cable ends which would have been necessary for splices or about $300 worth of cable.
Cables in some cases were pulled through three manholes, cable vault and up risers to main frame on third floor without a splice, and in two of the manholes, the cable was pulled at right angle turns in opposite directions.
A. N. Porter has been transferred to the Western Division Plant Supervisor's force to work upon special studies. "Al" has been working for the Company since November, 1916, as Field Engineer, Facilities Assigner and Construction Analysis Engineer in the Fitchburg Area.
Wire Chief H. M. MacCausland of Worcester was promoted to the Department of Plant Methods and Results at Spring- field in Sept., 1926. "Mac" has been connected with the Wor- cester exchange and District nearly 30 years. He began his Telephone career with the Century Telephone Co. at Man- chester, N.H., in 1897, and then worked for the Citizens Tele- phone Co. at Franklin. He was transferred to Worcester in April, 1899, where he has been Wire Chief for the past nine years. Mac is a natural mechanic and has made a study of all the mechanical branches of Plant work.
Oct., 1926, Topics-T. J. McDonald, from District Store Keeper, Springfield, to Supervisor of Supplies and Motor Vehicles, Springfield.
George Abbott from District Store Keeper, Fitchburg, to Maintenance Department, Springfield, doing special work.
Augustus McAulay from District Plant Chief to Supervisor of Outside Construction.
Oct., 1926, Topics-Springfield Plant Outing.
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Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
The Plant gang at Springfield, held their Annual Outing sponsored by Local No. 4, I.B.T.W., on Sept. 11, at Turner's Park, Longmeadow.
A program of sports was run off under the direction of Harry Oakes. Dashes, relay and novelty races held the atten- tion of about 300, while Eddie Shea, our congenial Carpenter, proceeded to clean up the field. After winning every event on the Card, Ed was presented with a beautiful (?) loving cup suitably engraved.
After the races, a ball game between the single men, cap- tained by Joe Sheehan, defeated a team of benedicts, by George Carty, to the tune of 18-2. The umpiring of "Bill" Culver, Chicopee Wire Chief, featured.
A barnyard golf tournament was next on the program with George Downs holding his own against all comers. At four o'clock the gang proceeded to clean up a plentiful supply of fried chicken and all the fixin's, after which there were many tummy aches.
The party spelled the doom of all straw hats with Sabby Na- politan leading in their destruction. Any hats that were not broken were shattered by Sabby's bombs. The only hat to escape was Johnny Forssen's brand new (?) Panama (15 years old) and that was saved only after much pleading on the part of Charley Lyons.
The party was run off nicely by a committee composed of the following: J. Wilder Campbell, Edward Sheridan, "Chick" Lyons, Walter MacDonald, Harry Oakes, George Carty, Eddie Shea, John Paponeau, Billie Keyes and Joseph Sheehan.
Several guests were present from Boston, Worcester and Providence, including our past and present Supts., Mr. Dodge and Mr. Rockhold, Mr. McCoy and Mr. Forssen.
Nov., 1926, Topics-On October 1, William S. Shaw, of the Commercial office, Springfield, retired from active service. "Bill" commenced 21 years ago as Contract Agent. His work of late years has been in developing branch exchanges and the many large installations which have been made under his personal supervision have brought him in touch with many prominent men of this vicinity, all of whom speak highly of his business-like methods and his accommodating spirit.
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Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
Nov., 1926, Topics-Equipment Outing.
Members of the Division Equipment Department and their families held their second annual "dog" roast October 3, at Page Boulevard Grove. "Chefs" Leo Duplissa and "Shorty" Sheldon prepared the "dogs", which were enjoyed by all after working up their appetites by competing for the prizes in the sporting events, which were run off by Bill Buckland. All stayed for the finals which consisted of a Charleston exhibi- tion by "Stretch" Hooker, and a song by Leo Duplissa. The members of the party expressed their thanks for the efforts put into the affair by the committee which was headed by George Beecher.
Miss Eva Diamond, Division Traffic Pay Roll Clerk, was married to Frank C. Buck, Springfield Wire Chief, in October, 1926. Miss Diamond joined the Company in August, 1912, as an Operator at Springfield.
Dec., 1926, Topics-Walter D. Berry, Traffic Manager of the Springfield local offices, was appointed Traffic Manager of the Westfield, Palmer, Holyoke and Northampton areas.
On Nov. 9, 1926, Lawrence J. Shurtleff joined the Spring- field District Traffic force as Traffic Manager. He was first employed in Boston Sept. 6, 1926, in the Traffic Engineer's Dept. and was transferred from there to Springfield.
Dec., 1926, Topics-The Plant Health Course in Spring- field was under the supervision of Margaret Connelly of the Division Plant Supt.'s office. The course was conducted in two classes, 26 Commercial girls meeting on Monday nights and 17 Plant girls on Tuesday nights, of which 37 completed the entire course. Fred L. Beebe, District Safety Supervisor, as- sisted Miss Connelly on the lessons pertaining more particu- larly to First Aid.
Old Lady (Witnessing tug of war for the first time).
"Wouldn't it be simpler, dear, for them to get a kinfe and cut it?"-Topics.
Ethel I. Healy was engaged to work in the Division Com- mercial Engineers office in November, 1926, reporting to Charles A. Weston.
Allan S. Morton, who was transferred to the Springfield Manager's office in August, 1926, with the title of Collector,
Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts 401
had his position changed to District Directory Advertising Su- pervisor, in November.
Eugene F. Goggin was transferred to the Installation and Maintenance Dept. "Gene" went to work for the Company at Springfield Nov. 4, 1924. At first he was Time Keeper and then a Helper in the Cable Department.
CHAPTER 28
Springfield Exchange Area 1927-1930
ON JAN. 1, 1927, Merrill B. Steere was transferred to the Di- vision Plant Staff, Central Office Methods and Results. "Ike" started with the Company Sept. 12, 1912, as an Installer at Springfield, and then became a Combination Repairman, keeping subscribers' telephones and PBX boards in order. After serving in the 401st Telegraph Battalion from 1917 to 1919, doing heavy line construction work "over there," he rejoined the Company as a Central Office Repairman.
March, 1927, Topics-Commercial service observing is be- ing inaugurated throughout the Company under the super- vision of John J. Reddy, the Training Supervisor, and Harry V. Keefe, the Supervisor Commercial Results. In the Western Division it is being handled by E. E. Cronin with Alta M. Lyman and Elizabeth G. Higgins as observers.
April, 1927, Topics-Commercial Changes.
Fred F. Marston, former Division Commercial Supervisor, was appointed District Manager of the Springfield District.
Ralph E. Jones, former Division Sales Supervisor, has been appointed Division Commercial Supervisor.
Gene Mclaughlin is a newcomer to Western Mass., form- erly being Manager of the Montpelier, Vt. Exchange. He has been appointed Office Manager in the Springfield area.
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Gene started as a Night Operator in Randolph in July, 1913, and in August, 1918, he entered military service. In 1919 he was assigned to special work with the Traffic Force Engineer and Nov. 1, 1920, was appointed Assistant District Traffic Manager of the First Central District. After being in charge of Flying Squadron work in the Metropolitan Division in 1925, he was appointed Montpelier Manager.
Max Holmes has been appointed to the position of Sales Supervisor in the Springfield office. Max is comparatively a newcomer in our business, having started in March, 1926. Since that time he has acted as Commercial Representative in the Springfield office.
May, 1927, Topics-Joe E. Harrell, Western Division Traf- fic Supt., goes to Boston in Mr. Miller's place as General Traffic Supervisor.
Clarence W. Baier, District Traffic Supt. at Springfield, has taken Mr. Harrell's place as Division Supt. of Traffic.
Richard J. Dee succeeds to Mr. Baier's place as District Traf- fic Supt., Springfield.
May, 1927, Topics-Western Group joins C.O.E.I.
The Central Office Equipment Installation forces are glad to welcome to their midst the group of sixty-odd equipment men of the Western Division. The forces under Supervisor of Installation Homer J. Hebert were transferred to this de- partment as of April 1. "Beau" Hebert has charge of central office work in the Western Division.
June, 1927, Topics-Frank Farrar, of the Cable dept., Springfield, died on March 6. He entered the employ of the Telephone Co. in 1883, and after a few years resigned to work for the Electric Light Co. at Boston. On June 1, 1898, he re- turned to the Telephone Co. entering the Construction dept. as a Lineman. On March 4, 1910, he was transferred to the Cable dept. where he remained until his illness. Mr. Farrar was extremely popular with his fellow workmen and will be greatly missed.
June, 1927, Topics-Harry W. Muzzy was appointed Acting Supervising Foreman, C.O.E.I. on June 1. Harry started his telephone career with the Citizens Telephone Co. in N.H. in
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1901. He managed the local exchange in Tilton, N.H., and so knows the business from all angles.
Harry came to work in Springfield July 3, 1911, and has held various positions in central office installation work. He has handled central office work in Western Mass. and Vt., with the exception of the Pittsfield District beyond the Berkshires. He is now Acting Supervisor over the State of Vermont.
June, 1927, Topics-Effective May 1, James A. Williams, Manager at Whitinsville, was appointed Division Sales Super- visor, which position has been open since the Western Division District re-organization in March. "Jim" is very well qualified for his new position in that his telephone activities have al- ways been centered about "Sales." He served in the Directory Advertising dept. in the Metropolitan Division, and as Sales Supervisor in the Worcester District before his appointment as Whitinsville Manager. He built a commendable record in station gain in Whitinsville, and he will be able to give every member of the Division the advantage of his diversified ex- perience.
Aug., 1927, Topics-Springfield Dial Office.
Springfield, the City of Homes, is dialing its telephone calls now. The cut-over to Machine, the first in the Western Di- vision and the largest in our territory, took place on July 9th.
Manager John F. Shaw invited a group of officials of the city and nearby places, and many telephone veterans were present to see the transformation. At five minutes before mid- night, Mayor Fordis C. Parker stepped forward, pressed a button and immediately three floors of 295 Worthington Street became a beehive of industry. More than 100 plant men were standing by ready for the word. They speedily pulled the heat coils, first in the River office, then Walnut, and in five minutes, 22,000 of Springfield's telephones were on dial. The mayor dialed the first call, Waldo Cook, Editor of the Spring- field Republican, for a chat and received a dial set in a hand- some block as a souvenir.
As early as March 7th, instruction of pupils from the sixth grade up in public schools was undertaken by Mrs. Mary Ry- croft LaForce and Elizabeth Ryan. It was easily the best dial introductory job done, no flying squadron being used.
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About 160 operators received the entire training which con- sisted of five lessons. In conjunction with the Manual "A" work, 30 girls received Call Indicator training as there are eleven positions of Call Indicator equipment in the "B" Board in the Manual Office. Elizabeth M. Callahan, with the aid of eight Instructors and a Clerk, accomplished the Call Indicator and Manual "A" work.
For toll work, 84 girls were trained, some for outward and some for inward. Theresa Tierney trained the Instructors.
About the first of June, nine girls were trained as Instruc- tors in the workings of what is known as the M.S. "A" Board. It is to this board that the subscriber comes when he dials "Operator" or when he dials a number affected by a change or disconnection. A large amount of "AB" traffic is also handled here. It was necessary to train sixty girls for this work. Rose Carlin handled the instruction of all M.S. "A" people.
Since Holyoke, Chicopee, Indian Orchard and Westfield dial into the machine it was necesary to instruct Operators at those offices in the details of machine operation. Margaret Kennedy of Holyoke supervised this training.
B. O. Curry, Supervisor of Machine Switching, was in gen- eral charge of all the training activities.
On the night of the cut-over Arthur Horton, Division Traf- fic Engineer and Carl W. Proctor, who is now Traffic Manager of the Springfield Machine Unit, played an important part on the dispatch board. From Boston, Harold E. Jarvis at- tended in his capacity as Machine Switching Supervisor. The following Traffic appointments have been made for the new office:
Rose A. Carlin, Chief Operator of the Machine Unit; Ruth Seldon, Assistant Chief Operator; Katherine J. Toner, As- sistant Chief Operator, Manual Unit; Mary C. Corcoran, Dis- trict Chief Operator. Catherine M. McQuade continues as Chief Operator in the Manual Unit.
The new Springfield Office is the first step-by-step job to be made entirely by the Western Electric Co.
From the Plant point of view, Frank Wrisley, Cutover Su- pervisor, was the man behind the gun, since each operation
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was reported to him as it was completed. Gene Lowell and twelve men pulled the River MD frame heat coils; Joseph Sheehan and his gang of eight pulled the Walnut MD frame heat coils; Joe Collins supervised the cutting of jumper cables; selector monitor supervision was done by Arthur Noel and eight men; Traffic control, F. E. Dundas and eight men; pull- ing B.C.O. tools in machine office, R. N. Calkins and twenty- five men; checking PBXs after cut, Walter Ely and ten men.
All connected with the job did themselves proud. Frank Wrisley, Billy Francis, Harry Jones, Frank Buck and Ralph Shepherd spent many long hard hours from the beginning of installation to cutover. Roland Rogers, Record Supervisor, and his crew did a great job in changing Plant records. NEIGHBOR: Where is your brother, Freddie?
FREDDIE: He's in the house playing a duet.
I finished first .- Arcanum
Wayne Wood, Commercial Representative in Springfield, was performing well in sales work. In five months he made 410 sales; annual revenue $9,062.40. In addition Wayne com- pleted 25 surveys each month.
Elmer A. Wagner, Collector at Northampton, was trans- ferred to the Springfield Manager's office in July, 1927, as Com- mercial Representative.
John F. Enwright, Commercial Representative at Spring- field, was transferred to Northampton. In July, 1926, John had been made Office Manager of the Springfield District.
Webster T. Hunt, who was a Commercial Representative in the Holyoke office, was appointed District Directory Adver- tising Supervisor at Springfield, in September.
Oct., 1927, Topics-Ralph E. Jones was transferred from the post of Division Commercial Supervisor to the Brocton District. Arthur W. Frostholm, who has been Manager at Northampton, goes to Springfield in Mr. Jones' place.
Arthur Frostholm entered the employ of the Company on Sept. 29, 1924, in the Worcester Commercial Dept. where he acted as Commercial Representative until in May, 1925, he was transferred to Ayer as Manager. In March, 1926, he was made Manager at Southbridge and from there he was trans- ferred to Northampton.
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Nov., 1927, Topics-"Blue Bells" Have Good Season.
The "Blue Bells" of Springfield enjoyed a successful base- ball season, winning the championship of the Commercial Twilight League, averaging eight wins, two losses, and con- cluded the season in fourth place of the Triple "A" Twilight League, winning seven, and loosing seven games.
The pitching was very capably handled by Austin E. White, who pitched excellent ball for the Chicopee Hillsides in 1926; Winfield Sponberg, who attained laudable results as a pitcher for the Technical High School Team in 1925. N. (Doc. Dan- iels) Slevin, another competent pitcher, has acquired an ad- mirable reputation, having pitched for the Armory in 1915.
"Babe" Steere, playing in the same capacity as pitcher, is widely known for his skillful "curves" and had the honor of a tryout with the Cincinnati Reds in 1919.
"Paddy" MacDonnell, who has played with the Ware Alliga- tors when Goldie Bowler had a real team, did the major por- tion of the catching, and maybe he can't handle the "mit."
First base was well taken care of by Andy Phelan with Dick Fay as a livewire substitute on various occasions. "Shorty" Lapine covered second base, while Carl Donovan, who was on the High School All Star Team in 1925, protected third base. Well-known Eddie Trauschke, who merits the reputation of being the best semi-pro shortstop in this section, handled this position in a very efficient manner. Johnny Sweeney, of Hol- yoke, who played center field for the Ware Alligators in 1916- 1917, creditably covered left field.
"Lolly" Kennedy and Harold Atkinson, who played center and left fields, respectively, added to the success of the "Blue Bells." Arthur Hamilton deserves credit for his playing in both left field and right field.
"Phil" was the always willing and alert mascot. Other play- ers who helped to make the team a success were H. Ryan, W. B. Choate, George Miner, Willis Martin and Paul Cotti.
Harold Atkinson led the Triple "A" in batting, Eddie Trauschke held the lead in triples and Paddy MacDonnell was in a tie for the lead in home runs. Carl Donovan came in second in stolen bases.
Joseph A. Sneed was transferred from the General Commer-
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Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
cial Office, Boston, to Springfield as Commercial Representa- tive.
Nov., 1927, Topics-David C. Hall was appointed Spring- field District Supervisor in charge of the outside offices on October 1. Mr. Hall entered the service of the Bell System on March 1, 1912, at Louisville, Ky., and Feb. 1, 1913, was ap- pointed District Clerk at Evansville, Ind. From April, 1917, to Oct. 1, 1927, he filled the positions of District Traffic Chief, and Traffic Supervisor at Owensville, Ky., Frankfort, Ky., Louisville, Ky., Indianapolis, Ind., Marion, Ind., and Muncie, Ind. from which city he was transferred to Springfield, Mass. Dec., 1927, Topics-The Vermont Flood.
From seven to nine inches of rain fell November 2, 3 and 4, but most of the flood damage in Springfield was in the low- lands bordering the Connecticut River in the north end. About 5,500 telephones were affected out of a total of 43,000 in the city. In some places it was necessary to pull in new cable and in other sections the cables were dried out and re- stored to service. The main difficulty was with the wet termi- nals in cellars, but the men were on the job promptly, and by Saturday night had made considerable progress.
There was no trouble on the toll lines in Springfield, but calls to and from other places were seriously affected. For several days calls were taken subject to delay.
Jan., 1928, Topics-William F. Gowdy, Division Supervisor of Supplies, and one of the best known Plant Dept. employees in the Western Division, recently resigned to accept a position as Production Manager with the Archer Rubber Co. of Mil- ford, Mass.
Chester E. Roukes was appointed District Manager of the Springfield District, December Ist. He came with the Com- pany Nov. 20, 1911, as a Clerk in the Revenue Accounting Dept. He was promoted to Revenue Supervisor in 1916 and became Traveling Auditor for the General Accounting May 24, 1920. March 19, 1923, he was transferred to the Com- mercial Dept. and served as Assistant Unit Manager, Manager and District Manager of the North West District, Metropoli- tan Division, Aug. 1, 1927.
Fred F. Marston, District Manager at Springfield, has been
THE GANG THAT PULLED IN THE 1800-PAIR CABLE-1928 Left to right: Norman Slevin, John Terry, Jerry Cavanaugh. Phil O'Donnell, James Crowell. Fred McInnis, Joe Robinson.
UNDEFEATED REVENUE ACCOUNTING BOWLING TEAM
Seated: E. Jarvis. J. Shea, Yvonne LeBlanc, I. Lemay. Standing: I. Leslie, E. Dumont.
DIVISION DISBURSEMENTS ACCOUNTING-1931
Seated, left to right: S. Black, C. F. Hepburn, R. T. Westermark (Division Auditor of Disbursements), M. F. Coyne, F. A. Jones. Standing: E. A. Walsh. R. A. Burke. A. L. Butler, R. Griffin, F. M. Collins, J. Mahoney. F. Carrigan.
JAMES A. WILLIAMS
JOHN J. REDDY
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MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL OFFICE MAINTENANCE ASSOCIATION-1929
First row, left to right: Leo Duplissa, Arthur Sheldon, Joe Collins, Ed Lancour, Carl Donovan, Earl Williams, John Edwards, Second row: Earl Bray, Harris Stewart, Win Sponberg, Bill Lowe, Fred Morris, Joe LeFevre, Clarence Young, Fred Williams, Frank Wrisley. Third row: Arthur Block, Ray Hamilton, Bill Sanderson, Bob Kingsbury, Gene Flagg, Charlie Rogers, Tom Welch (Presi- dent), Nelson Pardee, Ronald McGillvary, Larry Nickerson, Leroy Rodimon.
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S
SPRINGFIELD DEFEATS BOSTON TO WIN COMPANY CHAMPIONSHIP-1929
Standing, left to right: W. Sponberg, W. Plude, Manager F. Carty, J. Berry, J. Sweeney, C. Kennedy. Seated: M. MacDonnell, J. Dona- van, Captain E. Trauschke, C. Donavan, W. O'Connell, E. Bowler, C. Steere. Front, P. Gordman, Mascot.
Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts 409
transferred to the American Telephone Co. with headquarters at 195 Broadway, New York. His duties will be along the lines of personnel, organization and training.
Katherine Brennan was transferred from the Traffic Dept. to the Springfield Manager's office as Commercial Representa- tive in December, 1927, and Margaret E. O'Connell was en- gaged as Commercial Representative at the same time.
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