may talk to any extent amongst his own group, but is restricted in the usual way to 800 free conversations per annum through the ordinary exchange to which the group is connected. If the line by which the connection is effected exceeds two kilometers in length, each member pays an equal share of the extra annual charge of 25. 5d. per 100 meters.

The State erects and maintains all wires and instruments; the subscribers find a free location for the switch-board, and pay for all operating.

If the group is not composed of more than five subscribers the switch-board and operator may be replaced by an automatic commutator, which occupies little room and can be fixed in the house of one of them. When the automatic commutator can be placed centrally in respect to the group, so that none of the lines exceed two kilometers in length, the usual subscription is reduced by 16s., and becomes 47., 31. 4s., and 27. 8s., for the first, second, third and subsequent years respectively. If one or more of the subscribers happen to be over two kilometers off, the extra distance is paid for on the usual scale, which also comes into operation if the commutator cannot be placed centrally. An extra annual charge, which is shared equally by the subscribers, of 37. 45. for a five-line and 17. 12s. for a two-line commutator is made.

It is rather curious that the State makes a reduction in favour of automatic commutators, which are more liable to get out of order and require more attention than ordinary switch-boards. If the cost of operating these last fell on the State instead of on the subscribers, such a course might be justifiable; but as it does not, the wisdom of the procedure is not very apparent. The first cost of the automatic instruments is much greater than that of ordinary switches, and they are not so quick or so effective in action, yet the State encourages their use by accepting lower subscriptions.

8. Rates affecting public telephone stations :

Subscribers who permit their instruments to be used as public stations are remunerated by being allowed to retain of these charges the whole of the amount for local talks up to 800, and half thereafter, together with the whole of the surcharges accruing on internal trunk talks, telegrams, and telephonograms. When the State arranges for a public station on the premises of a non-subscriber, that person keeps half the receipts for local talks and the surcharges on the others. Keepers of public stations may, if they make satisfactory arrangements for the purpose, also receive, write down, and deliver telegrams and telephonograms addressed to persons in their neighbourhood, in which case they get '96d. for each message delivered. Public stations are never established in inns or restaurants. Automatic boxes for checking payments are not used. Subscribers enjoy no preferential treatment. Telegrams and telephonograms have to be handed in written out, and are telephoned forward by the attendant, not by the sender personally.

WAY-LEAVES

The position of the State in the matter of way-leaves is defined by the law of June 26, 1889, which provides :

1. That the State has the right to use all public lands and places for the placing of telephone wires on paying for damage done, but must not do anything inconsistent with the purpose to which such public place is devoted.

2. That the State may pass wires without attachments over private property, provided the presence of such wires does not prejudicially affect the property.

3. No work must be done on public or private property with out arriving at an understanding with the authorities or proprietors concerned. In the event of dispute the Federal Council will decide, if necessary on the advice of indepen dent experts.

4. Proprietors of trees must cut any branches which interfere with State telephone lines. Notice that cutting is necessary to be given to proprietors through the local authority. If no notice is taken within eight days, the State may itself cut the branches.

5. Authorities or proprietors under Articles 1 and 2 may require removal of any wires calculated to interfere with projected building or other lawful operations. If the State removes wires to make room for such proposed operations, the proprietor will be debited with the cost if he does not begin to build within a year of such removal.

6. The State may build telephone lines along railways belonging to companies, provided such lines do not prejudice the railway in any way, nor interfere with the security of existing works. The company to be compensated for any damage done, but to be entitled to no payment in name of way-leave.

7. The State must carry out at its own expense such changes as may from time to time become necessary owing to alterations in the railways.

8 to 15 Deal with installations of electric light and transmission of power as affecting telegraphs and telephones, and the procedure to be followed in event of disputes.

I

The application of this law appears to have given rise to misunderstandings, for it was supplemented on December 7, 1889, by a rider which declares that Article 1 of the law is not to apply to buildings or to property not accessible to the public; on such buildings no supports may be placed without the consent of the authorities or proprietors; and that the right to pass over refers only to wires suspended in the air, and does not include the placing of supports. Proprietors of trees cut by the State to have a right to compensation, which must not exceed five francs per tree without the express approval of the Telegraph Administration.

It will be seen that the Swiss Government possesses no autocratic powers in respect to way-leaves. In effect, it can do nothing without the consent of the proprietors affected, and has to pay its way just like a telephone company in the United Kingdom. The way-leaves paid average one franc per wire per annum, and some standards cost as much as 400 francs (167.) per annum. In one disputed case the Telephone Administration took advantage of the arbitration clause in the law, but was disgusted to find that the award was five francs per wire per annum in addition to the

cost of the reference. Trouble was caused by the railway companies objecting to Article 6 of the law, and it was found advisable to pay them to watch the telephone lines and report faults. The State also pays full carriage and fares for all material and workmen, so that the railways do not suffer appreciably after all. The right to go along the railways is a most important one in connection with the extension of the trunk line system.

SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS

The most recent switch-board in Switzerland is that lately installed at Zürich. It is an American-made (Western Electric Company) metallic-circuit, parallel-jack, multiple board with an ultimate capacity of 5,400 lines, but fitted at present for 3,400

only. Including the cross-connecting and lightning-guard boards it has cost 9,6007., or 27. 16s. 6d. per subscriber. The parallel connection of the jacks presents several advantages, such as the avoidance of multiple contacts, which are apt to become dirty, in the speaking circuit; the reduction in number of soldered joints; and the saving in length of the connecting wires. The scheme of the Zürich jacks is shown in fig. 134. A is a brass ring, in con

nection with the test wire T, which is touched in testing by the point of the plug. Behind this ring, and insulated from it, is a socket B, smaller than the ring in diameter, and in connection with one of the wires of the subscriber's loop. Behind the socket again are two springs C and D, c being in connection with A and with the test wire T, while D is permanently connected to one pole of the test battery v. Further back still is a third spring E, joined to the second wire of the subscriber's loop. The plug is divided into three conducting parts separated by insulating material-viz.,

F and H, which are in connection with the conductors of the cord; and G, which is a simple metallic ring. When inserted, the connections are effected as indicated in the figure, н and F making contact with the line through в and E, while G establishes connection between D and c, joining the battery v to the test wire T. The indicators are of the self-restoring kind, and are constructed as shown in fig. 135. There are two electro-magnets, I and J, mounted one behind the other: 1, which is linked into the subscriber's loop, being wound to 600, and J, which is in circuit with