400 BELL SYSTEM TECHNICAL JOURNAL 



higher and higher frequencies. One, of fairly recent origin, is the wave-guide 

 or hollow-pipe technic. The latter not only provides a simple and efficient 

 way of propagating microwave power from one point to another but there 

 have also grown from it some very interesting counterparts of the tuned 

 circuits, the matching transformers, and the filters that have been in common 

 use for some time at the lower frequencies. The possible bearing of this new 

 technic on the future of electrical communications, as, for example, televi- 

 sion, is pointed out. 



The Impact of War on Long Distance Service.'^ Mark R. Sullivan. The 

 article gives in narrative form much of Vice President Sullivan's testimony 

 concerning toll board service before the Federal Communications Commis- 

 sion on December 16, 1942. 



Increasing traffic and severe curtailment in additions to plant, make it 

 progressively more difficult to maintain service performance at its usual 

 level. In the last two years Long Lines toll traffic has nearly doubled, this 

 increase being almost equivalent to the total level of business reached over 

 a period of some 65 years. Plant materials available for telephone con- 

 struction, on the other hand, have been sharply curtailed. Copper, for 

 example, had been used in building telephone plant at the annual rate of 

 more than 90,000 tons; now" only about 8,000 tons are used. 



The increased volume of long distance calls has been accompanied by in- 

 creased complexities in the handling of calls; more attempts required per 

 call, a greater proportion of person-to-person calls, and greater length of haul 

 requiring more switching. Over all, the results still average well. However, 

 not all calls fall on or near the average due to the uneven distribution of 

 increased calling which has followed generally the path of war activity and 

 varies tremendously in different localities. Just as growth in calUng has not 

 been uniform throughout the System, so has circuit congestion been most 

 pronounced in cities most affected by war activities. A customer whose 

 individual call is delayed well beyond the average may appraise the service 

 by that call, even though he may realize that the average speed of all calls 

 is much faster. 



Despite the increased traffic volume, complexities and the shortage of 

 facilities, there have been some truly notable achievements. Accuracy and 

 speed of answer have suffered relatively little. Additions to the operating 

 force of 150,000 were made in the past two years to handle the increased load 

 and to replace losses. Operators, seasoned and new, have faced the chal- 

 lenge to the service and, true to the finest traditions of the service, are 

 giving their best to a difficult job — willingly and cheerfully. 



« Bell Tel. Mag., June 1943. 



