Evening star., 1924-10-05
Real Workers i'm the National Capital

vided to make emergency repairs at
sea And while doing this he must
listen in to make sure his tests or
the transmitter are not interfering
with an sos message or urgent
traffic.
Numerous complaints come to Mr..
Terrell of interference, and each must
not only be answered but must, II
possible. have personal attention.
Often the writer does not state, or
does not know, the source OF inter-
ference. which may be one OF many
things, such as some other station,
leaky high-power transmission line,
X-ray or violet-ray machine, precipl-
tatiou plant trolley line, electric
sign, Delco plant, telephone magnetic
and such electrical devices.
Terrell and his gang must see that
life is not jeopardiZed by an incom-
petent operator on shipboard. LII
censes are not granted to operate
such a station until the applicant
has passed difficult code test and
demonstrated his knowledge and
ability to satisfactorily perform the
service and can safely be intrusted
with this grave responsibility.
On a monument in Battery Park,
New York, is proof of the high re-
gard in which this service is held.
1t bears the names OF many CONNER
cial radio operators whose lives were
lost when their ships went down.
The spirit behind all the work of
radio regul lation. which Mr.. Terrell
heads-up, ne OF helpfulness-not
to enforce the law by imposing penal
ties wherever and whenever a. viola
tion is ferreted out, but to educate all
those using this newest means OF
communication, and especially the or
tenders, and to let all interests feel
that the Federal Government is try
ing to help them. The field force is
constantly engaged in trying to help
a man adjust his station and do what
ever is necessary TO comply with the
law-but, then. if the man persists
the penalty has to be imposed. The
inspectors, in carrying out this policy
of cooperation, have to know their
distr let thoroughly, get around among
the people. give talks and impress
upon the radio public in their field
to attitude and opinions Of the Fed
eral department.
Selection ON Merit.
This man Terrell was selected for
his job on account OF well-proved
fitness and especial qualification. His
first service in electrical work was
with the Postal Telegraph Co, where
he held various positions as traffic
Cnle1 ana wire Cnlei. Later ne ~dS
with the American Can Co. New
York, in charge OF its leased wire
system. Later he worked for the
Treasury Department. in the New
York Customs House, from 1903 to
July l. 1911 He was in charge OF
the wire service between New York
and Washington. From July l, 1911.
to March. 1915, he was in charge of
the radio service of the Department
Of Commerce in New York and on
March l. 1915. became chief super
visor of radio in charge of the Fed
eral headquarters in Washington.
In preparation for and in carrying
through the program of this third
national radio conference, which
opens here tomorrow at the Depart
ment of Commerce, Mr.. Terrell has
taken a part the Importance of which
few persons appreciate at this time.
A great many new problems are COM
ing up, and representatives OF all the
radio interests in the country are to
attend. This includes the owners of
broadcasting stations, manufacturers.
dealers, listeners-in, representatives
of radio publications, marine service,
point-to-point service. transoceanic
service, educational institutions, anna
teurs. engineering societies, depart
ment stores and others.
Heretofore conferences have been
devoted entirely to the subject of
radio broadcasting. Now considera
tion will be given TO the general sub
ject Of ALLEGATIONS of wave lengths to
all classes of radio service; general
problems of radio broadca sting, anna
teur problems, interference problems.
interconnection and such other i'm
portant subjects as may be intro
duced