Automatic Telephones

The Times, London, stated that automatic telephone exchanges are about to be adopted in London. The Post Office is preparing specifications for the first three exchanges, which will not, however, be completely installed for about three years. The substitution of automatic for manual exchanges throughout London is expected to take about 15 years.

Said The Times: "Each exchange will carry 9,999 lines, and the first will probably be installed in the Central London area. The conversion must necessarily be slow, because the work can only be carried out gradually and because communication through the manual exchanges must be maintained while the change is being made."