Evening star., 1926-10-24
RADIO INSPECTORS
FACING MORE WORK
Increased Duties Foreseen in
Broadcast Districts Under
i Expected Legislation.
By CARL II. BCTMAN.

There will be increased work for the
radio supervisors and inspectors In
the nine radio districts as soon as
remedial radio legislation is enacted
by Congress. Supervisory work TO be
done includes closer observation OF all
code and broadcasting stations the de-
termination of the causes Of inter
ference both from radio and other
electrical devices, frequent inspection
of broadcast stations. and the decision
as to what is intentional or malicious
interference.
There are now nine district head
quarters in the country. They are
located at Boston. New York. Baltl-
more. Atlanta. New Orleans, Detroit
Chicago Seattle and San Francisco.
Extensive trips are required when IN
spectors have to make tests or obser'
vations in the wide territory covered.
A possible development is the estab-
lishment of suboffices in several cities
where radio activities are great, espe-
cially at some of our ports.
Suboffices Now Limited.
Provision for few suhoff1ces was
made in the last appropriation bill,
and also for three radio test trucks,
but in view OF the pending radio bills,
one Of which took from the Depart
nothing was undertaken which might
interfere with a new radio law. II ts
we'll established fact that more
observation points are needed by the
radio supervisors. a well as additional
euboffices where inspectors can he
located permanently to carry on the
tremendous amount of work In con-
nection with the inspection Of all
ships, the giving Of both commercial
and amateur operators examinations
and the conduct of regular business.
At least one radio truck in district
Is also necessary.
Besides the supervision of radio
broadcasting, the radio officials Of the
department have considerable to do.
although the ordinary fan may not
realize it. They are charged with the
inspection. licensing and observation
of all American commercial and
amateur stations ashore and at sea
as we'll as the licensing and examining
of all operators. This work is chiefly
in the interest Of the safety of life at
sea and general international COM
munication via radio.
Answer Many Queries.
Radio supervisors are not concerned
with broadcast reception and do not
inspect or adjust receiving sets.
Despite this fact, they nave TO answer
innumerable questions relating to
hook.ups, interference and the wave
lengths of broadcast stations from
fans who write. phone or call.
Under normal conditions, they not
only inspect all broadcast stations
prior to licensing, but assign them
suitable channels when available and
test the stations to ascertain whether
they are keeping on their assigned
channels. Just now part of this work
is eliminated. since the Department
of Justice decision forbid the assign
ment of wave lengths. except upon
the request of the stations, but the
field radio force of the department and
those in Washington are still kept
pretty busy with routine duties ana
commercial and amateur work.
When a new law Is passed. II Is
possible that an entire reassignment
of broadcast channels may be found
necessary, but certainly all stations
will have to be inspected and observed
frequently. More substations, radio
trucks, inspectors and probably more
money will be needed, If the work of
properly policing the air traffic is to
be carried on.