Evening star., 1926-04-11
RAD|OREGULAT|ON
SERIOUS PROBLEM
Advisory Committee Meets
Bi.monthIy to Handle Admin
istrative Routine.
BY CARL III. BUTMAN.

So many branches of the Federal
Government use radio in one way
or another that the interdepart-
mental radio advisory committee
meets every two weeks to handle the
many technical and administrative
problems. This committee, estab-
lished by Secretary Hoover in April,
1922. has a membership of IS men,
representing Ia departments or bu-
reaus of the Government interested
In radio.
In the opinion of Assistant Secrc-
tary Stephen Davis of the Depart
ment of Commerce. who is chairman
OF this radio advisory committee,
that body serves Il very useful pur-
pose. 1t forms the only means of
co-ordinating the various radio serV-
ices of the Government and to a
certain extent aids in their co-ordi-
nation with commercial stations.
Literally this committee, with its
representative membership, is a clear
ing house for the exchange of ideas
from the various points of view of
tho different departments concerned
with radio in any way.
Differences IrOned Out.
Many differences, which might
have attained serious proportions.
have been ironed out through COM
nittee action. The representatives
ofN bureaus In disagreement over
radio problem have been able TO
get together in committee sessions
and adjust matters amicably, with
out the aid of outside parties or
executive action. Since the opera
tions of the committee no friction
has arisen, and many interdepart-
mental matters have been taken
care of.
At it's fortnightly meetings during
The past four years this committee
has handled the ALLEGATION of all
governmental radio channels. deter
mining what frequent bands the
several governmental bureaus should
use so as to avoid conflict and inter-
terence. This work is particularly
important in connection with the
extensive circuits operated by the
Naval Communication Service and
The War Department Radio Net, be-
sides certain ALLEGATIONS made to the
Post Office for air mail radio sta
ttons and airplaneS, and to Coast
Guard and Shipping Board vessels.
Efforts TO standardtze radio equip
ment and accessories used by the
Government are being made with a
view toward economy and the inter-
chGngeability In Government sets.
other matters receiving the attention
of the committee include the trans
mission of official governmental mes
sageS over the radio systems OF the
Navy and Army; non-military activi
ties of all departments; the use of
governmental stations for both radio
telegraphic and telephone broad
casting, as well as the distri-
button of matter to private broad
casters on Government activities.
Committee Merely Advisory.
The achievements of this commit
tee are seldom made public for
various reasons, chief among them
because it is usually up to particu-
lar department or bureau to an
nounce its activities itself. whereas
Ihe committee is merely advisory,
assisting in the coordination Of the
several activities. Frequently this
committee receives from Secretary
Hoover a special problem submitted
Tor study and report, and to date
1t Is understood that most of them
have been satisfactorily worked out.
The committee membership in
cluded, April /. the following bureau
representatives: DR.. II. A. Brown.
Reclamation Service, Interior; E. B.
Calvert, United States Weather Bu-
reau: E. A. Cook, Labor Department
Lieut.. Comdr. It. A. NJ. Craven, NaI~
engineering; Stephen Davis, Depart
ment of Commerce, chairman; Or. J.
II. Dellinger, Bureau of Standards;
L, G.. Gale, Post Office Department.;
J. G. Gilbert, Department OF Agri-
culture; T. A. Gillis, Interstate Com
merce Commission; Capt. J. p.
Jackson, chief co-ordtnator's Office;
DR.. c. 3. Jolliffe, Bureau of Stand
ards; Capt. Ridley Mclean, naval
communications: Maj. ]. o. Mau-
borgne, Army Signal Corps; II. c.
Ioore, Shipping Board: w. ID. Ter
rell, Department of Commerce; Lieut..
L. NJ. Webster, United States Coast
Guard; w. r. Valance, State De-
partment; ". a. Wheeler, Bureau
Agricultural Economics, and w. L.
Downey. Department OF Commerce.
-eCretary.