Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Section of the New York-Chicago Cable

Engineering and construction f e a t u r e s involved in a complete telephone cable system over 300 miles in length a n d connecting Philadelphia a n d P i t t s b u r g h , Pa., a r e described in t h e following p a p e r . T h i s cable is designed to o p e r a t e as an extension of t h e B o s t o n - W a s h i n g t o n underground cable system with which it connects at Philadelphia. It is also designed (or operation in connection with t h e P i t t s b u r g h - C h i c a g o cable now under c o n s t r u c t i o n , a n d o t h e r cable p r o j e c t s included in a comprehensive f u n d a m e n t a l plan. Beginning with t h e f u n d a m e n t a l f a c t o r of public r e q u i r e m e n t s for communication service between cities s e p a r a t e d by v a r i o u s distances, t h e r e are next considered t h e m e t h o d s available to provide this service. Smallgage, q u a d d e d , aerial cable, which was decided upon for use in this section a f t e r careful economic studies, is described in a general w a y a n d t h e imp o r t a n t a d v a n t a g e s of t h e application of loading a n d telephone r e p e a t e r s are outlined. T h e use, in connection with t h i s cable, of t h e recently developed metallic telegraph system for cables is referred to a n d some facts are given regarding power plants, test b o a r d s a n d buildings. A few of t h e m a n y possible c o m b i n a t i o n s of cable a n d e q u i p m e n t facilities i n t o c o m p l e t e telephone circuits, which will furnish t h e service required as economically as now possible, a r e illustrated.