39-4-106. Telephone operators. (1) On all lines of public telephones operated in whole or in part within this state, it shall hereafter be unlawful for any owner, lessee, company, or corporation to hire or employ any operator or operators, other person or persons to run or operate a telephone board or boards for more than 9 hours in 24 hours in cities or towns having a population of 3,000 inhabitants or over.

(2) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any person or persons, operator or operators operating any telephone board or boards more than 9 hours in each 24 for the purpose of relieving another employee in case of sickness or other unforeseen cause or causes.

(3) Any owner, lessee, company, or corporation who shall violate any of the provisions of this section shall upon conviction be punished by a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500. Each and every day that such owner, lessee, company, or corporation may continue to violate any of the provisions of this section shall be considered a separate and distinct offense and shall be punished as such.