Evening star., 1934-09-16
CHANGES SEEN DUE
FOR AIR MONITORS
F. c. c. Field Force Put On
Temporary Rolls While
Survey Is Made.

Those trafnc cops of the ether who
patrol the Nations radio waves to
ferret out bootleg stations" monitor
the operations of some $4,000 licensed
stations to see that they keep within
technical bounds and otherwise super
wise the field operations relating to
radio are under surveillance them
selves-but not for any alleged trans
gressions.
Some ITO strong, these guardians Of
the ether may be forced to undergo
sweeping reorganization due to the
change in Federal radio regulation oc-
casioned by the recent abolition Of the
Federal Radio Commission and the
transfer of its functions to the Federal
Communications Commission, latest of
the New Deals alphabetical agencies.
There are q score of field Offices Of the
r. G. c., inherited from the r. r. c.,
each manned by radio inspectors and
clerical assistants. In addition, there
are two independent frequency moni-
toring stations, ingenious mechanical
cops" that automatically indicate
whether stations stray from their as
signed frequencies and cause inter-
ference.
The p. c. G. has just placed the
entire field force on the temporary
rolls for not more than 90 days, during
which time 1t will await q formal re-
port from its chief engineer, DR.. c. B.
Jolliffe, as to what, if any, changes
should be made. DR.. Jolliffe only last
month assumed jurisdiction over the
field force, which previously had been
a separate division Of the old F. r. G.
The name has been changed from the
Division of Field Operations to the
Field Section Of the Engineering De-
partment.
Names Field Managers.
As the first step. DR.. Jolliffe has as
signed his former assistant chief en-
gineer, v. Ford Greaves, who has been
in charge of the broadcast section, to
the Pacific Coast as chief inspector for
the Western area. Mr.. Greaves will be
in charge of the field offices at San
Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Seat
tie and Denver. He will make his
headquarters in San Francisco, but his
assignment will be rowing. He has al
ready left Washington and plans to
take over his new duties about Sep
tember II. Mr.. Greaves will submit
to DR.. Jollif1e q detailed report on
field conditions In the western area,
and this more than likely will serve
as the basis for any reorganization
which may be worked out.
A second change also has been
made within the last fortnight.
Emory H. Lee, former inspector in
charge of the Detroit ONCE, which
has Jurisdiction over several contig-
uous States, was reassigned to that
post after having served temporarily
as assistant chief Of the field force
stationed In Washington. Simultane-
ously, George e. Sterling. inspector of
to Washington temporarily to take
over the former duties Of Mr.. Lee.
The Field Section is headed by Will
liam r. Terrell, Oldest radio offcial In
Government employ, who headed the
first radio inspection service instituted
in 1919 under the Department Of
Commerce. He retains his post as
chief of this branch Of the =. c. c.,
but reports to Chief Engineer Jollif1e
instead Of to the full commission.
Wide Changes Unnecessary.
DR.. Jolliffe himself is not convinced
that any sweeping realignment Of the
field service is necessary at this time.
He does feel, however, that q thor
ough survey should be made, under
the changed conditions, to ascertain
what alterations would be desirable
for greater efficiency In policing the
ether. It is not planned to enlarge
the scope Of the field organization to
include Jurisdiction over telephones,
telegraphs and cables-the communi-
cations services newly assigned to the
r. G. @. under the law. The p. @. G.
itself has not yet decided upon the
nature of field inspections that should
be made Of these public utility COM
mon carrier services. When 1t does,
the chances are the field ofice will
be appreciab1y enlarged in personnel. |
with specific duties allocated to par
ticular groups of inspectors.
From the twenty field Offices, and
two independent monitoring stations
accurate checks are kept Of all radio