Discussion on “a study of multioffice automatic switchboard telephone systems.” Atlantic city, N. J., June 29, 1908

A. B. Smith: For a number of years it has been my hope that the automatic would be able to solve the telephone problem for large cities; that it would bring the rental a little lower for the benefit of the many who need the telephone but cannot now afford it, and that it would afford relief from the party line. That this can only be done by subdivision into small offices with short subscriber lines is acknowledged, but the apparently insurmountable obstacle of trunk lines and office expenses have stood squarely in the way. However, it may now safely be said that the automatic has arrived at that point of development where its claims merit serious consideration.