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The installation of Bell Tele- phone dial system in Schreiber was officially noted at midnight April 19, followed by a gala evening party. At the dinner in the Resiau- rant LeBlane which preceded the evening party, Reeve F. V. Harness had the honor of mak- ing the first call. He spoke to his daughter in Toronto. The event was attended by Bell officials, Jack Stokes, MPP for Thunder Bay; Keith Penner, MP for Kenora-Rainy River; Schreiber Municipal Council and Mrs. Mary Jarva, clerk-treasur-. er; other local dignitaries; Mrs. Leonard Huard, chief operator and her retiring staff. Robert Komar, commercial manager, welcomed guests at 4 the dinner and gave a brief out- line of the telephone system in Schreiber. He said that long dis- tance telephone service began in Jan., 1940, when F. J. Kelly cal- led his sister in North Bay. _ Bell took over the Schreiber telephone system from Longlac Telephonies Ltd. on Aug. 31, 1954, In December, 1954, a $25,000 Bell building housing adminis- trative staff and telephone operators was opened on Scotia St. A total of 357 manually operated phones were in opera- tion that year. In December, 1957, long dis- tance charges were eliminated between Schreiber and Terrace Bay. By 1961 there were 708 telephones in service with the dial system. The number is now $05. Reeve Harness paid tribute to the retiring staff of operators, speaking of the many times dur- ing an emergency particularly when a doctor was needed or help required when a fire uc- curred, that the operator man- aged her regular calls and still -kept searching for the needed party. He also appreciated, on be- half of the citizens, that despite the work involved there was no inconvenience nor disruption of the telephone service during the dial installation. Mr. Stokes brought greetings from Queen's Park. He pointed out that communication is one of the most important aspects of life today and that Bell makes possible a form undreamed of a few years ago. TERRACE BAY NEWS NEW DI AL SYSTEM IN SCHREIBER : Bell as a company, in Quebec :, and Ontario where we know them best, is a good corporate citizen, listening to pleas and anxious to help in certain in- stances where small communi- ties are in dire need of com- munication with the outside world, and where obviously their assistance would not benefit them financially, he indicated. He said that he had the highest regard for local operators and that although progress brings changes, he was certain ap- preciation would remain. ' Mr. Penner commended Bell, saying although he was aware the: new system would be of local benefit, he too would find it faster to make local contacts when needed, Canada was first linked by railway, then by highway, and when the telephone came, Can- adians were quick to show their appreciation, being the greatest users, per capita in the world at the least cost, he said. Mr. Penner described the De- partment of Communications and possibility of creating a new system, Tel Sat, a telecommuni- cation system second to none in the world. D. R. Oliver, district manager, also commended the local opera- tors for the personal service they have given Schreiber, say- ing he was familiar with such courtesy since he too had lived in a small town. Beil's only purpose in North- western -Ontario is to give serv- ice, and it is hoped that with 70 services now installed, the remaining three without them may be shortly supplied. He al- so thanked the two members of parliament for their interest and support by attending. Mrs. Huard, chief operator said she felt she had learned a great deal during her 11 years in dealing with the public, and to them and to the Bell officials She extended her appreciation for their co-operation. _F, J. Koehn, CPR superinten- dent, said it had been a refresh- ing experience to come to a place where operators still sup- plied a personal touch in using a telephone, but he congratu- lated Bell on their step toward progress in installation of the dial system, Grace was said by Rev. C. E. Prinselaar, Following dinner guests were taken on a tour of the new Belt building and after that a social -evening was enjoyed in Curling Rink lounge, hosted by retiring operators. : 58 Among guests attending from out of town were R. J. Komar, commercial manager for North- western Ontario; Charlie Baker, district traffic manager; D. R. Oliver, district manager; Roy Reilly, central office foreman; Bruce Cameron district plant manager; Vern Dube, supervis- Reeve F.V. Harness makes first dial call in Schreibei to his daughter in Toronto. ing central office foreman and Mike Martyn, supervising in.| stallation and repair foreman, all of the Lakehead; Peter Heathcote, equipment engineer» ing, Ottawa. and Don Smith, in stallation repair foremany At Bell Telephone dinner in Schreiber. Front - R.J. Komar, Mrs. Leonard Huard. Back - Reeve F.V. Harness, Jack Stokes, MPP, Keith Penner MP