South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-04
SHIPPING BUREAU
IS OUTGROWTH Of
NAVY'S ACTIVITY
Movements ofVeSSeIS are New
Reported Daily Through
Big Organization.

NEW YORK. June THE es-
adjustment Of a government con
trolled bureau Of shipping innorma-
ton, through which maritime inter
ests Of the United states are advised
daily through official sources and
without cost. OF the movements Of
practically all the merchant ships
OF the world is an outgrowth Of one
OF the activities Of the navy depart
ment during the war.
This bureau. conducted by what
is known as the naval communica-
tions service, was instituted shortly
after this country entered the con
fict. II was made necessary for the
reason that prior 10 that time there
was no organized branch OF the gov
eminent through which the move
ment Of ships could be obtained on
short notice. The demands Of the
navy and war departments. the
United States shipping board and
allied war interests required that
there be at hand at all times a care
fully revised record OF all ships
not alone Of their movements. but
details as 10 their tonnage. speed.
specifications as 10 build, etc.
Arrange Fer Dispatches.
Under the direction Of a naval Of
ticer. with assistants recruited from
the marine departments OF press as
sociatiOns, daily and marine publi-
OF hrrr
!shed and ARRANGEMENTS were at
once made for prompt and reliable
dispatches from all parts Of the
world concerning ship movements,
this service embracing not only the
facilities of the telegraph and cable
but the government controlled wire
less as well.
It's value during the war was in
estimable and, with the coming OF
peace and the efforts to build up
in this country an efficient merchant
marine, the bureau has thrown open
TO the public-and particularly TO
the ship owners. charters, shippers,
insurance interests and maritime
business generally, the facilities of
its vast and far-reaching service.
Use Index System.
BY means Of a card index a ques-
ton relating TO any ship can be
promptly answered-and reliable
information as to her sailing date.
estimated time Of arrival at port OF
destination. location at sea or in
port. can be readily given.
1t Is a service which prior 20 the
war was maintained in "A similar
manner by many of the foreign
maritime nations-some Of them
much smaller and having far less
ships than did this country. with
a large merchant marine, such as
this country apparently desires, the
value OF such a service, marine men
say. is unquestioned.
The naval communication service
employs about go persons. all in
navy uniform and under direction
OF Lieut.. Commander r. r. Coffman.
IL issues daily, and distributes free
of cost TO more than 500 shipping
firms. newspapers. government Of
ficials. maritime exchanges etc, a
bulletin OF 40 pages carrying the
names OF more than 10000 vessels
each name showing nationality, ton
nd-er iotdtlou ol odlllHS NatS. LNL-
dcncing the demand for this infor-
nation the circulation of the bull
letiu is increasing rapidly. Between
the hours of issue. the bureau keeps
ship owners advised by telephone
Of radio messages sent from ships
~ sea.
Have Daily Reports.
The practical sources Of infOrma-
ton from which the bulletin ac-
ouires its data are daily reports by
telegraph and cable from naval Of