Los Angeles WU Photos courtesy LA Public Library

Western Union Telegraph Co. workers picket in front of the company's main office today after the Commercial Telegraphers Union called a strike.  The strike is nationwide.  The main office here is the only one of 58 in Los Angeles that is being kept open for service.  The negotiations on a national level are "hopelessly deadlocked." -- Herald-Express Photo

Lauralei Fey, President of the Western Union Employees of Southern California, says the 745 South Flower Street building was 9 stories tall and had 2 more stories underground.  The building had its own diesel power source in the event of a power failure.  The government communications hub for the whole western United States was in that building as well.  It was very strategic for the safety of the United States.  Everyone entering had to wear a badge.  There was a gate inside the front door staffed with a security guard.  Door combinations were necessary to get into the various departments.

August 13, 1946 -- In 21 years as a telegraph messenger Wallace Alexander has seen some changes made but the one that pleased him the most was his "mechanization." Alexander, who is nearly 70, has worked with Western Union since 1925, traveled thousands of miles yearly as a foot and bicycle messenger.  In renewing its errand service, the company adoped a new-type vehicle, the Salsbury "85" motor scooter, which officials say is small and nimble enough for work in heavy traffic areas and fast enough for long trips into residential areas.  Between trips Mr. Alexander proudly shows off his mechanical steed for pretty Patricia Devine, dispatcher in the downtown Los Angeles telegraph office.  "Nothing to it", he tells her, just before she starts for a short trial spin on the scooter, developed by Salsbury Motors, Inc., of Pomona, California, and equipped with fully automatic clutch and transmission, requires only brake, throttle and steering controls.

Undated -- You are looking inside the new "electrical brain" which will increase speed of telegraphic communications 75 per cent following inauguration tonight at Western Union Building here.  Inspecting the $2,000,000 installation are J. W. Dodge, area plant and engineering superintendent; O. C. Scott, traffic manager; J. W. Inwood, commercial superintendent, and Ray Hoover, assistant director of maintenance (left to right).

---

Webmaster note: This photo was taken in the "switchroom" at the Los Angeles reperf office.  The devices hanging from the ceiling were not ordinary lights but part of the smoke detector system.  These rooms existed in every reperf office were kept exceptionally clean and free from dust.  Access to the room was restricted.  A positive air pressure was maintained so that no dust or dirty air leakage into them could take place.