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. nf''''' I~ ..l .i t; MET H 0 rOll TAN W ATE R 0 1ST R leT There were already in existence pole lines paralleling the route of the aqueduct from Desert Center to Beaumont which could eco- nomically be utilized to support conductors of the District's tele- phone system. Arrangements were made with the owners of these various lines for joint use of the poles by the District. In some in- stances an easement was obtained from the owners; in other cases pin space was arranged for on a contact rental basis. Between the field headquarters building in Banning and the general office build- ing in Los Angeles it was found more economical to lease channels from the telephone company than to install District facilities. Consh'uction period The first notice to proceed with the construction of the systcm was given December 21, 1932 for a trunk line with three metallic circuits from Beaumont to the west portal of Bernasconi tunnel and for several tap lines. In March and April, 1933, agreements were made with the Southern California Telephone Company for (1) purchase of a trunk line consisting of five metallic circuits between Banning and Whitewater; (2) purchase of a one-sixth life easement in a company trunk line with five metallic circuits from Whitewater to Desert Center; and (3) construction by the com- pany for the District of tap lines into the camps then open in the Coachella division. On March 18, 1933, upon completion of the field headquarters building, the Banning switchboard was placed in service. Toll and exchange connections were made over trunk lines of the South- western Home Telephone Company until April 26th of the same year, when leased wires to Los Angeles went into use. Early in April an agreement with the Western Union Telegraph Company provided for constructing by its line crew and on its poles between Beaumont and Banning three metallic circuits to connect previously constructed District trunk lines. In June the trunk line circuits to the west portal of Bernasconi tunnel were extended to a point in the Cajalco reservoir area near the west portal of Valverde tun- nel, with tap lines to the tunnel camps. In July 1933 construction was authorized of the remaining trunk lines of the system extending easterly from Desert Center to the Colorado River, with necessary taps to all aqueduct camps not yet served and to th.e railroad office at Earp. These lines consisted of five metallic circuits between Desert Center and Division No.3 camp at Eagle Muuntain, four circuits thence to East Coxcomb,