Sweden 355 



But on analysis it is difficult to understand where this gain comes 

 in, the movements required from the operator for the double-cord 

 being nine and for the single-cord eight, or a saving of one 

 movement per connection. If it is true that the saving of one 

 movement per connection equals ten minutes in the hour, what 

 would be the saving accruing from the use of a board requiring 

 only two movements per connection (and there are such) ? The 

 arrangements for trunk switching are of a familiar type. The 

 trunk lines are brought to separate tables (which in Stockholm 

 are in another room and out of sight of the local board), each 

 table dealing with four trunks, and being under the charge of 

 two operators, which means that each operator takes only two 

 trunks (fig. 119). Actually, one girl operates four trunks, while 

 the second keeps the very voluminous registers which are necessi- 

 tated by the system of negotiating connections in advance. All 

 the trunks are represented by jacks on each table. In addition 

 to six separate trunk tables there is a special section of the local 

 board through which all trunk connections must pass and on 

 which all the subscribers are represented by multiple jacks, this 

 special section also possessing ample communication with each 

 of the trunk tables. A subscriber wishing trunk communication 

 is turned on by his local operator to one or other of the trunk 

 operators, who ascertains his wants and negotiates the necessary 

 connections. A communication from a trunk to a local sub- 

 scriber is obtained by the trunk operator concerned through 

 the special section. The wires used by the operators for their 

 communications are independent ones, special loops being 

 reserved for the subscribers. Communications between operators 

 are all conducted by dropping of shutters and plugging-in, no 

 attempt being made to expedite matters by continuous listening, 

 as to the practicability of which the Swedish engineers entertain 

 serious doubts. The incessant dropping and replacing of shutters 

 and movements of pegs must render this plan slower than a viva 

 voce system of communication between operators. The fact that 

 it necessitates an operator to every two trunks, besides those at 

 the special section, must make it very costly. 



There is no doubt that the practice of booking trunk talks 

 in advance which prevails largely in Sweden adds greatly to the 



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