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.' ,.,.... Cl LoJlv 22 METROPOLlTAN WATER DISTRICT Telephone System The telephone system, built to serve the construction camps, was extended 39 miles from Lake Mathews to the softening and filtra- tion plant at La Verne, and a private branch exchange installed at that point replacing the exchange formerly operated at Hayfield. The line extension includes 17 miles of joint construction on the Postal Telegraph lead on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe right of way between La Verne and Fontana. Repeaters were installed at Hayfield on the Gene, Iron Mountain, and Eagle Mountain trunks, and a fourth repeater was installed at Iron Mountain in the Gene- Boulder circuit. With this installation of repeaters on the long lines transmission is excellent. A leased circuit connects the La Verne exchange with the Los Angeles office and connections are available through the Associated Telephone Company's La Verne exchange for local and toll service over the Bell System. Four channels eastward from La Verne over the District's system con- nect with all stations on the aqueduct and extend to Boulder Dam through the switchboards at Gene and Iron Mountain. The La Verne switchboard is operated two shifts a day by reg- ular operators and night calls are handled by an attendant at the softening plant. The day operator also serves as a receptionist. The telephone system includes 430 miles of line and 1,365 miles of circuit. A connection was made in September 1940, with the tele- phone line of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation extending from Parker to Phoenix, which has been of considerabie value in dis- patching the Phoenix power load. A small telephone switchboard is built into the operator's desk at each pumping plant and all telephone traffic at the plants is handled by the pumping plant operators. At Gene plant machine switching is employed for local stations. Power system operation is handled by the dispatchers located at this plant. Iu the fall of 1940, the telephone line near Boulder City was moved to allow an extension of the airport. This work was done under the supervision of District engineers at the expense of the U. S. National Park Service. The cost of the entire telephone system to June 30,1941, includ- ing all credits and salvage during the construction period, is $359,- M4~~ . Transmission Lines Favorable weather prevailed throughout the year and there was no serious storm damage to transmission lines or patrol roads. From