New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-10
Capt. Billiard Takes Over
Plant and Prof. ZenneCk
Leaves Village.
NO FORMALITY
OVER TRANSFER
German Employees to Remain for
a Few Days with Sailor
Electricians.
Prom star corre.pnaca, Of II. Tribune. ]

Sayyille, \. T., July s. American
naval officers took formal possession
this noon Of tho Tclcfunken radio sta
ton, owned BY tho Atlantic Communi-
cation Company Captain ". H. Bull
lard, chief Of the wireless service o.
the Navy Department, assumed control
on behalf Of the United States govern
ment, and thirty inmates later the keys
were in the hands Of the electricians
detailed by the department for duty at
the plant.
Sayville awoke this morning with a
feeling that something startling was
about 10 happen. The residents had
stayed up until almost midnight yes
terday, communing in such places rs
the postofficc and drug stores until
closing time. After that groups Of the
more reckless spirits could be seen
leaning over the polished mahogany
whore the ice cubes tinklc in the tall
glasses.
At the Kensington Hotel, Professor
Jonathan Zenneck. the storm centre Of
all the trouble. entertained five Ger
man friends With two huge pitchers OF
Rhine wine cup. The professor mixed
il himself, and the festivities were in
the nature Of a farewell party.
Rush to Railroad Station.
One would never have suspected
from the way the sun came up TINS
morning that anything unusual was
about 20 occur There was nothing in
The manner in which the storage bat
terry cars Of the Suffolk Traction Com
pany traversed the five niles 20 Pat
chogue 70 indicate that naval activi-
ties were under way. The subtle
undelcurrent Of unrest lived entirely
in the minds Of the good citizens them
selves.
Nevertheless. Up 10 10 o'clock the
nOpulace restrained itself admirably.
Some Of the people even went to YORK,
much the same as ever. But a0ou.
1890 a procession began 10 move tow
ard the station. Everybody appeared
% be expecting a friend or something
ike that Some fine excuses were
formulated.
OF in the distance the whistle Of the
1886 could be heard. Each blast vas
nearer. The crowd at the station was
nonchalant as anything. Some or me
members RETAINED from looking at
their watches for as much as two min
utcs at a stretch.
But WHY prolong this suspense? The
train actually arrived. II came mss
ing into the station With q great grind
ing of brakes and Sayyille was saved f.
Down the steps came Captain bul-
lard. while from the smoker issued
forth,an animated group Of bluejack
cts. Captain Billiard didn't seem 4 DIT
excited. lie called out nc stentorlan
orders nor did he wear his sword.
Lieutenaat Clark was there to meet
him. and the two just hoped into an
automobile and were Whsked on tow
ard where the mighty towers Of the
wireless plant pierced the morning
sunlight.
Plant Taken Over.
Mrs. Billiard who accompanied her
husband was driven to the kenslng-
ton. TIE villagers dispersed to their
various dinner tables they have din
nor a. noon in Sayville and thinee as
sumed something of their normal APP
uearance again.
One-ffteen and no word Of the cap
tain. But at 1916 it was different. A
hioh- powered automobile drew up at
The curb opposite Robinson Penny s
store. Captain Billiard stepped out
before an admiring throng. breath-
lessIv thev waited for him TO speak.
"Cartured. by George, without the
less Of single life" was what he SAID
and the cheers that followed shook
The Suffolk County News" office to
tic foundations. Il was said later on
Good authority that the only shots
Grod we're those Of the photographers
Who lurked in ambush for the doughty
oAicer. Talk about General Hugh
scott, Don't tell Sayyille about hlm.
II YOU do the natives will smile IN
ecrntablv and you will know that they
are comparing him with their own par
tic,,Iar hero. Captain Billiard. who cap
tured the wireless single-handed from
n Karl G. Frank. secretary OF the At
lantic Communication Company.
That is about all. The naval men
will be faithful TO their JOBS, ana "
Frank says the company should make
more money as long as Uncle sam IS
taxing away part of its payroll some
of The German employees Will remain
at the station until the new men DC
core familiar with the leletun"eh
cyetem and the same guards will be
on duty at the gates. Sayyllle mer-
chants are chiefly concerned with the
question of whether the new stan VIII
be as profitable as the old one.
And rs for Professor AennecH ne y.
has gone away from mere. re .el !
twenty minutes after captain buI!HIu
rived and his immediate destination
was New York.