the positive potential on the tip 1 lead is applied to light emitting diode 60 via diode bridge 20 operated line button contacts 4 and 5 hold contacts 1 and 2 and operated line button contacts 8 and 9 this positive potential is then applied to all of the anodes connected to line 1 via common anode lead can 1 thus the line 1 led is lit on all phones connected to line 1 when the line 1 button of any such off hook telephone is operated hold circuit 30 includes silicon controlled rectifier scr 31 connected to gate resistor 32 when the hold button is depressed the positive potential on the tip 1 lead is applied to the anode of scr 31 via diode bridge 20 this positive potential is also applied to the gate of scr 31 via operated line button contacts 4 and 5 hold button contacts 1 and 3 operated line button contacts 6 and 7 and gate resistor 32 this positive potential applied to the gate of scr 31 causes it to conduct current and thereby apply the positive tip potential to led 60 via switching circuit 40 when the phone is placed on hook scr 31 continues to conduct thus holding the line connection by shorting the tip 1 and ring 1 leads under such conditions a visual indication that a line is in the hold condition is available from led 60 via scr 31 when the telephone receiver goes off hook a surge in current goes through the telephone breaking the current path to the gate of scr 31 thereby opening scr 31 and returning the line to its normal operating condition by removing the shunt provided.