The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-07-09
SAW|LLE WIRELESS IN
GOVERNMENTS HANDS
Oficcrs Of Corporation Declare They
Are Well Pleased. and Deny All
Unneutral Acts.
ACTION TAKEN ON REQUEST
OF SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Fear That Station Had Been Used to
Advise Submarines of sailing Of
ships From American Ports Cause
of Seizure.

Washington, July S.---T.4e Navy De-
partment today took over the wire
less station at Sayville. L. l.. which
was the only remaining privately
owned and privately operated agency
of communication between the United
States and Germany. The step was
taken by Secretary Daniels, at the re-
quest OF the Department of Conn
merce. II was held to be necessary
to preserve the neutrality of the
United States.
Secretary Redfield pointed out that
the plant was really German owned.
that II was completed since the war
began. that it communicates with
points In Germany. and that German
officers OF the navy and marine were
kept stationed there. The submarine
situation undoubtedly led to the ac-
ton. II has been thought for some
time that the wireless plant at Say
willie has been communicating with
German submarines. giving them in
formation regarding sailing OF vessels
| from American ports on which the
submarines might direct their move
ments. and this. of course, was q
violation OF neutrality. Captain Bull
lard. of the naval radio work. was
sent to take charge Of the Sayvtile sta
ton.
AANtAf1ft-tEX6A Ik&ESfAktI%S MN &AM0NAFN.
The effect OF the order taking over
lcontrpI Of the plant win not change
the status with respect of CONNER
ciai business. but hereafter messages
faccepted for transmission will be
forwarded by United States navy
operators instead OF commercial oper-
lafors Tolls collected from the busi-
mess will be turned over to the own
ers of the station. The President is
sued general order In September.
1914. directing the Secretary OF the
Navy to take over zone or more" wirc-
less stations TO preserve neutrality.
and IL was under this order that the
Secretary Aetta=tahaY-==
! In his letter TO Secretary Lansing
today the Secretary of Commerce re-
cited these facts. pointing out that
the Sayville station communicates
with military stations In Germany and
called attention TO the fact that the
material used In completing-in fact,
rehuiidsng--the plant since the war
began had been brought over from
Germany, To continue a license 20
snch a station amounted to an url-
neutral act. ne said.
OhRcers In Good Humor.
! New York July s.---At the Offices
lof the Atlantic Communication Com
pary. Mt 80 West Street. the officers
were In the best al. eh,axnar,4 apnarftats
lxsa over the new turn of affairs. They
declared that the Government officials
had shown the greatest Kindness and
generosity In dealing with the COM
pany. and that with the Increased
facilities which the newly possible use
OF the higher powered towers brought
they intend TO lower their transatIan-
tic rates and broaden their Held.
A meeting OF the directors of the
company was held In the afternoon.
following the conference with Captain
Bullard. as a result of which a state
ment was issued The directors are.
President, Herman Meta, former
lcomptroller OF New York. manager.
TX. q. Frank: A. G. vandiver and
August Merckens. Paul c. Schnitxier,