New-York tribune., 1906-03-18
TO CONTROL WIRELESS.
Government Should Supervise Al
Stations, Navy ETperts Say.
[From The Tribune Bursau.I

Washington. March 17.-Legislation for 6ov-
ernment control Of commercial wireless telegraph
stations. in accordance with the recommenda-
tions Of the interdepartmental board appointed
by the President two years ago, will be urged on
Congress by Secretary Bonaparte. Under the
terms Of a bill drafted by the board commercial
wireless stations would be subject to regulation
by the Department of Commerce and Labor.
and no station could be established until a IL
cense had been obtained.
This bill has been pigeonholed until now, but
the interests of the navy said to make 1t
imperative that private stations be regulated be-
cause Of their interference with the government
service. The bill proposing to enact the desired
legislation will probably be introduced in the
House and Senate at this session. The Navy
Department has had much trouble in maintaining
a satisfactory wireless service around New
York. Boston and Newport because Of the num-
Der of stations thereabouts. which constantly
interfere with one another. In the case Of the
naval wireless station at Cape Cod the apparatus
was temporarily crippled by the heavy sending
OF a private station nearby.
The governments wireless experts have been
unable thus far to perfect the service so that
nlessag ges will not be intercepted and interfered
with when sent considerable distances. The in
terests Of the navy are also concerned in the
strategic Importance of wireless for coast de-
fence, and the recommendations of the board are
plain as TO government regulation so that In
time Of war the department may be able to
control the stations This feature will hardly
appeal to members of Congress. except those in
torested in legislation for the navy. but If the
question should come up the navy's side Of the
case will be presented strongly
Maritime companies outside OF the navy which
are interested In an efficient wireless system
along the coast are disposed to lend the weight
Of their influence TO the proposed government
supervision They do so on the theory that there
will be a complete and efficient system estab-
Iished through this agency more quickly than II
the matter is left TO conflicting private inter-
ests There is also some fear expressed that wire
less telegraph companies may combine for NUT
ual protection and prevent development along
the right lines
The bill especially provides that the govern
ment shall not compete for commercial messages
with licensed wireless telegraph stations and
thus the regulation would not affect the COM
merciaI standing of private concerns. The bill
gives the Department Of Commerce and Labor
authority to specify where the stations are to be
placed.
A plan contemplated I'm connection with gov
ernmeut control of wireless stations is to extend
the scope Of the Weather Bureau service by
complete wireless reports. Under the present
system weather reports from vessels at sea are
only voluntary on the part or the merchahI
marine Naval vessels at sea, in accordance
with an order from the Secretary of the Navy
are directed to report to government stations
when possible, but the weather service has not
been thoroughly developed in that respect
Plans have Just been perfected by which the
Weather Bureau IS to begin the systematic col
lection, by means of wireless telegraphy, Of
meteorological observations from vessels far out
at sea and issue weather forecasts and storm
warnings to these vessels, based on the observa-
tions thus collected.