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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Bluefield Daily Telegraph<BR>February 11,
1909</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV align=center><FONT size=4>PRIVATE TELEPHONE FROM CREWE TO
WILLIAMSON</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=center>------</DIV>
<DIV align=center><STRONG>Norfolk and Western Completes Line--Not Likely to
Displace Any Telegraph Operators</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV align=left> </DIV>
<DIV align=left> The Norfolk and Western has completed its
private telephone line from Bluefield to Williamson and it is now in
operation. The company now has a telephone system extending from Crewe to
Williamson and that part of the system which has been completed is first class
in every respect. It has been feared by a number of the telegraph
operators that the inauguration of this line would mean the doing away with the
services of a large number of men. From best sources of information
obtainable it has been learned that the railway company does not intend to do
away with the telegraph office but may replace a few O. S. operators with
telephone operators. The telephone is really an experiment and is but
following out a plan which is general with all large companies who have a number
of offices which at all times it is necessary to be in connection with.</DIV>
<DIV align=left> It is claimed that according to the old
method of telegraphing or writing concerning various matters it was impossible
to close up the matters with any degree of dispatch as several telegrams and
letters would have to be exchanged before any real object would be
accomplished. According to the present plan of using the telephone it is
expected that business matters can be transacted more satisfactorily and with
more dispatch than under the old method. Everyone who has had occasion to
telegraph knows that a conversation over the 'phone is much more satisfactory
and on this account, it is said, more than any other, the railroad company has
installed a telephone service.</DIV>
<DIV align=center>------</DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Script size=6>Gordon
Hamilton</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>