Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-11-29

report of Capt. E. P. Bertholf, COM
manding the coast guard. The propo-
sition made by the board Is for Con-
gress to authorize the expenditure of
100000 for an adequate system. to be
directed by the coast guard.
while the expenditures incident to
placing the communication lines of the
coast guard in efficient condition are
fully warranted in the interest of life
and property along our coast in times
OF peace" says Capt Bertholf, in MS
report, the fact must not be over
looked that the necessary funds would
of national defense. The same equip
ment and trained personnel will be
available for instant use as coastal
communication system in time or ma.
tional emergency. The great length OF
our sea coast makes it imperative that
we, more than any other nation, should
be prepared with highly efficient sys-
tenn of coastal communication, and Tor
tunately the necessary facilities for
this purpose are alike of value to the
people both in peace and in war
Maintain Communication Lines.
For the transmission of information
relative to marine disasters" continues
Capt. Bertholf. land to facilitate
the saving of life and property along
the sea coast. the coast guard owns
and maintains approximately 1900
miles of telephone lines and cables ex-
tending along the coasts of the Unit
ed States
In order that calls for assistance may
reach stations promptly. the coast
guard lines should be modernfzed and
connected with lines of commercial
companies in the vicinity. and the
Ia Stor,, 1a1 ca hnt G
guard stations and all prominent light
houses would be connected. The pres
ent lines can be put in efficient condl-
ton at an estimated cost of $4,000,
which includes 100000 for changing
the line from Delaware bay to Chesa-
peake bay from grounded to metal
lie circuit. and $4,000 for similar work
on the line along the North Carolina
coast.
There are twenty-three coast guard
stations situated at isolated points that
have no wire connections. The esti-
mated cost for the construction OF tele-
phone lines for connecting these sta
lions with the nearest commercial tele-
phone or telegraph system is SS5.234.
Matters Being Studied.
THE importance of telephone con-
nections for lighthouses. as well as
coast guard stations. is emphasized,
as their location is usually Such as
to form excellent lookouts for sta
lions and cutters operating in their
vicinity.
These matters are now being studied
by an interdepartmental board. which
has been appointed by the President
to consider the various means of COM
munication now under the control of
the several executive departments. and
to submit recommendations relative to
the extension and Improvement of
Goa stal communications"
The radio equipment of coast guard
cutters appears to be in no more prom
Using condition. Capt Bertholf COM
ments:
owing to lack of funds it has been
impossible to install modern radio sets
on ten of the cruising cutters, and
these vessels are still equipped with
the apparatus originally installed years
ago. This apparatus is obsolete and
inefficient.
Notwithstanding the fact that an
act of Congress requires the installa-
ton of auxiliary radio apparatus on
seagoing merchant vessels. nine of the
cruising cutters are not so provided,
because of the lack of funds