TO MAKE A LONG DISTANCE CALL
Every effort is being made to provide the best possible service on your calls but many long distance lines are so heavily loaded with calls that we may not be able to get them through promptly, especially during the busiest hours. Moreover, more lines to meet increased needs can’t be added now because the materials it would take must go to make war weapons and munitions.
The following information is furnished to help you place your calls and get them through as quickly as possible. Whenever you call, you can be sure that we will do everything we can to get your call through.
STATION-TO-STATION CALLS—When you will talk with anyone available at the telephone you call, please give the operator the desired place and number (if you have it), for example. “Acton, Illinois, Main 2324.”
You can find telephone numbers of persons in many cities and towns in the out-of-town directories in the Telephone Centers. If the directory you want is not there and you do not have the number, give the operator the name and address and tell her you will talk with anyone at the telephone there.
PERSON-TO-PERSON CALLS—When you want to reach a certain person, please give the operator the desired place, the number if you have it, or can obtain it from out-of-town directories available, and the name of the person wanted, as “Acton, Illinois, Main 2324, Mrs. E. R. White.”
MAKE SURE OF RATE BEFORE CALLING—When making a long distance call from a public telephone, it helps to know what the rate is and to have the necessary change ready. Attendants at the telephone centers will give you information about long distance rates, assist you in placing calls, and collect charges. From other public telephones, you can get the rate by asking the long distance operator. Also, there’s a list of rates to representative cities in the United States on the inside back cover of this handbook.
COLLECT CALLS—If you wish to make a call collect, tell the operator when you place the call and she will determine whether the charges will be accepted at the called telephone.
REDUCED NIGHT AND SUNDAY RATES—Every night from 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. and all day every Sunday, rates on long distance calls over distances of about 50 miles or more are lower than regular week-day rates.
PLAN YOUR CALLS AHEAD—To make sure you remember all the things you wish to talk about—and to save time and money—jot down the items you intend to mention. If you wish to spend only a certain amount on a call, ask in advance how many minutes it will pay for and limit your conversation to that time.
REMAIN NEAR TELEPHONE—After you have placed your call, if it cannot be completed at once, please stay nearby so you can be located quickly.
PLEASE BE BRIEF—Give the other fellow a break. All over the country, men in service are placing long distance calls. If conversations are brief, more men can get their calls through.
DON’T LOSE YOUR NICKEL—Public telephones here are operated on a “post-payment” basis; that is, the coin is not deposited until after the operator completes the connection for you. Give the operator the number first, and do not insert the coin until she asks you to.
CALLS TO ORDERLY ROOMS—To call a squadron orderly room from off the Post, ask the Sioux Falls information operator for the number of the public telephone there and call that number, as use of Post telephones in orderly rooms is restricted.
TELEPHONE CALLS FOR YOU—If you expect relatives or friends to call you, please make sure that they have your complete mailing address, including your barracks building number, the telephone number at which you can be reached, and any other information which will be helpful in reaching you. Generally, however, it works best if you place the call instead of having them call you because changes in the schedules of camp life often make it difficult to get in touch with you promptly when attempting to complete a call to you.
TELEGRAMS—To send a telegram over a telephone, just call “Western Union”, give the message to be sent and deposit the telegraph charges in the coin box as requested.