New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-09
Wireless Officials
Are Glad at Seizure

Directors of the Atlantic Communl-
cation Company, who own the wireless
plant at Sayville, were apparently
overjoyed last night a: the news from
Washington that the Navy Depart
ment had taken over the radio sta
ton. Herman A. Metz. president OF
the company, beamed with good humor
and DR.. Kari Frank, secretary, was
evidently not displeased. But Hall c.
Schneitzler, one of the directors, re-
marked that such action by the United
States reflected agsjrst Germany.
However, the governments move has
made it possible to operate two new
transmitters. for which Secretary or
Commerce Redfeld would not issue
the company a permit; greater VOL
ume of business can be done, there
fore-so great volume that the rates
will be cut beginning July 10. Mes
sages TO Germany will cost 80 centn
word. Those via Germany TO Aus
tria, Hungary, Turkey and n9n-bel-
ligerent countries in Europe, b8 cents.
This is practically 81 per cent less
than former rates.
The officials explained the govern
ments action as being merely 70 make
sure that nothing urneutral might
transpire in the future, but asserted
emphatica'ly that tho neutrality of the
United States has TO: been violated
by messages flashed INTO space from
Sayville.
directors Of the company met late
in the afternoon end issued state
ment. protesting formally againrt the
Navy Departments action, and with
the State and Commerce departments
simply TO protect financial, l"ga! ana
commercial rights"
1--WE carrot complain of the treat.
ment received from the government,
said Dr. Frank. Captain Billiard
! (who notified the Navy Department
that he had taken over the SayvllIe
station, and the Navy Department
have treated US with me utmost con-
/ sideration.
"Washington knows that no unneut-
raj messages have been sent from
| Savville. This, | believe, explains the
courteous treatment. II would be
foolish, anyway, for one to try send
| ing this character o. message by wire
less When IL can nc uV'S wy
| by cable"
viii Silence Criticism.
] The statement issued by the com
pany is, in part. as follows:
"Bv order of the President, the
/ NAVY Department Of the United States
/ has this day taken over the control
and operation Of tde Sayville Radio
/ Station belonging TO the Atlantic
| Communication Company. The new
| and more powerful transmitting set
recently installed by the company, not
heretofore used by means Of which
more efficient service insured, can
/ now be put into operation.
Simply for the purpose OF protect
ing its legal. financial and CONNER
cial rights. the company has formally
filed protest against the Navy De
partment's action with the Pre- sident
and with the State. Navy and Com
merce departments.
The company is now able 20 silence
the irresponsible criticism which has
been directed agains, II by Loyalty CO.
operating with officers Of the United
States Navy in maintaining that strict
neutrality enjoined by President vii
sons recent proclamation, and which,
in all respects, it ha, heretofore strict
/ ly observed.
This company had committed no
improper or unneutra! act. No charge
of any such act has been brought to
the attention Of its officers by any Off
cial of the United States. The gov
eminent censors on duty at the sta
ton have carefully supervised al!
messages sent. and have retained
copies Of the same.
THE company, being public ser
vice corporation, had nc discretion IN
refusing or accepting messages. As
matter of fact. the station, on account
of static conditions, and also on ac-
count of lack of power, was unable
during the summer months TO com
municate with Germany for more than