Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-11-25
j. s. CONTROL
Of COAST RADIO
SERVICE PLANNED
Bill Approved by President In
troduced in Congress- Sta
tons viii Be Open for the
Service of Public

'sS soRhiha JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED w,REl
Washington, Nov. 24,--Permanent
government control of all radio com
munication through acquisition and
operation by the navy department of
all shore wireless stations in the
United States used for commercial
purposes is planned by the admins-
tration under bill now before con-
gress.
Representative Alexander. chair
man of the house merchant marine
who introduced the
measure in The house, announced to-
day that hearings on the bill will be-
gin before his committee December
IL and continue until all interests
have been given an opportunity to be
heard. A similar bill, introduced in
the senate by Chairman Fletcher of
the committee on commerce has been
approved by President Wilson.
Besides providing for the acquis-
tion and operation Of the stations by
the navy. the bill directs that the SOC
retary of the navy shall so far as may
be consistent with the transaction Of
government busines, open radio sta
tions to general public business un-
der regulations prescribed by him and
shall fix the rates for such service.
He also shall establish special rates
for the handling of press dispatches
by Trans Oceanic or other special sta
tions.
Reasons why the government re-
CARDS it as necessary for the navy to
operate or control radio stations in
this country are given in a statement
prepared by officials of the navy de-
partment and made public today by
Representative Alexander. The state
ment in part says:
Private Companies Failed.
TN general, the bill provides for
the acquisition and operation by the
navy department of all radio stations
on shore used for commercial pur-
poses. Irrespective of the general
subject of government ownership this
principle is clearly indicated as nee
essary in the case of this particular
public utility Since the early days of
the use of radio telegraphy many
Companies have tried TO operate radio
stations as a commercial enterprise In
the United States generally or in
certain localities. Except in very spe-
cial circumstances, these enterprises
have failed to make an adequate re-
turn, and in most cases no profit has
been made except through the sale OF
stock. The reason for this is that a
complete monopoly is necessary. A
period of about eighteen years has
clearly demonstrated that the United
States government is the only concern
able to obtain and maintain such a
monopoly
"This bill, however, Is not to create
a complete government monopoly
The scientist, manufacturer and shiE
owner are specially provided for. and
no change is proposed in their status
rnder existing laws. Stations may bt
| licensed for special communication
land these are exempted from govern,
ernment operation.
"This is not war measure. In ac
! cordance with the act of 1912. al
| radio stations in the United States
and possessions. which were not al
! ready in the governments hands
were taken over by the navy depart
ment promptly in April, 1917. as 8
war measure. and are now being oper-
ated bv that department. Many
changes have occurred during th'
war. stations formerly operated
| commercially have been found to bt
unnecessary for either commercial ol
| war purposes.
"The business of all companies hav
ing been suspended and their oper
| ators having made an instant show o
! patriotism by joining the navy in thu
| earliest days of the war, it is be
4 lieyed most of the companies ownin;
lradio stations would be glad at thi
i time TO sell their stations to the gov
| ernment at a fair price, which !
J provided for in the bill.