The Washington herald., 1920-12-23
NEWS DISPATCH
BY NAVAL RADIO
SERVICE ASKED
Clogged Private Lines
Cause Delays, Experts
Tell Congressman.

fTeSS ASSOSldliOllS anu elStioPoi-
itan newspapers yesterday asked
Congress to open naval wireless
stations for transmission of news
to and from Europe under a con-
tract system which will enable
them to effect a definite arrange
ment that will afford relief from
the present deplorable lack of IA
.cilities.
Testimony of representatives of
these organizations before the
House Merchant Marine Committee
disclosed utter inability on the part
of privately-owned cable and radio
companies to handle press matter
within a reasonable time.
The companies have all the COM
mercial business they can handle,
it was conceded by spokesmen for
the Radio Corporation Of America
and the International Radio Com
pany and they are unable to facili-
tate transmission of news. Conclu-
sive proof was submitted that press
dispatches are frequently delayed
from eight to twenty-fours in
reaching the United States, which
makes them practically valueless.
Under existing law the Navy De-
partment is prohibited from handl-
ing news dispatches except when
the Secretary of Commerce certifies
that privately-ow systems are
not adequate to handle normal re-
hiS Sha
resulted in much confusion and con-
stantly increasing delays.
Contracts Sought.
The relief now sought is author
ity for the Secretary of the Navy to
make such contracts with press as
sociations and newspapers for a
year, SO that permanent arrange
ments insuring prompt transmission
can be worked out. when such con-
tracts are made here, representa-
tives of the American press will
perfect facilities abroad to cooper
ate with the naval stations on this
side.
William Brown. assistant to the
President of the Radio Corporation
of America, and Calvert Townley,
representing the International Radio
Corporation of Ameica, and .Calvet
Townley, representing the Interna-
tioal Radio Company and the West
inghouse Electric Manufacturing
Company which controls the radio
company, stated that a temporary
arrangement such as outlined would
not be opposed by their concerns.
Opposition Voiced.
S. NJ. Kinter. of the International
Radio Company, OPPOSED the pro-
posed relief through fear that it
tends toward government owner
ship"
Rear Admiral Bullard, chief of
naval radio communication. said the
Secretary of the napy would be
glad to put all available naval IA
Icilities at the disposal of the press
IL given authority to do so.
Yesterdays hearing was held on
a bill presented by Representative
Britton, of Illinois, designed to ac-
complish the desired, relief. In re-
sponse to objections by members of
the committee that this bill would
repeal all previous laws dealing
with wireless regulations back to
1912 and might lead to government
monopoly, Mr.. Britton and the
newspaper and press association
representatives agreed to accept an
amendment to the existing law
simply giving authority to the Sec
retary of the Napy to establish the
contract system for one year.
Want to Cooperate.
Discussion among members of the
committee indicated a strong desire
to give all the aid possible without
disturbing the policy of encourag-
ing private operation and develop
ment of the wireless laid down in
previous legislation. After hearing
testimony from both sides it was
agreed to let the matter 60 until
January 6, when a final agreement
will probably be reached.
Representatives of the. press as
sociations and newspapers present
included George T. Hargreayes,
general manager of Universal Sery,
ice; Marlen E. Pew. general mana
ger of International News Serpice.
j. III. Furay, foreign editor of the
United Press: Joseph Pierson, for
eign editor of the Chicago Tribune
and chairoan of the American Pub.
fishers committee on Cable and
radio communication; C. Med. Puck
ette,. managing editor of New York
Evening Post; Carter Field, New
York Tribune: Milton Snyder, New
fark Herald; j. Elfreth Watkins,
Philadelphia Public Ledger: Percy
Bullen. London Morning Telegraph;
and Walter S. Rogers, delegate to