Discussion on “toll telephone traffic” (Fowle), Detroit, Mich, June 26, 1914. (see proceedings for June, 1914)

J. Lloyd Wayne, 3rd: I think this subject of telephone toll traffic is very close to the heart of every operating telephone man and it is certainly to be appreciated if we can bring before the public the fact that speed costs money. The telephone message being largely intangible, the general public is apt to get the idea that it does not make any difference in your cost of operation whether you get the connection through quickly or slowly. The telephone user is liable to forget the simultaneous demands of the many other telephone users. This paper brings out evidence of the practical necessity of lining up the toll calls in the order of receipt, if rates and earnings on the plant investment are to be reasonable. Every toll telephone plant representing a large investment may be likened to a transmission plant subject to very high peak loads. A large part of the day the plant is not carrying anywhere near its capacity and at other parts of the day it may be subject to overload demands. Unfortunately these busy or overload periods occur at the hour when business is at its height and thus at the time when speed means the most to the patron.