Evening star., 1939-09-19
Amateur Network
Services Offered
In Major Disasters
Agencies Dependent
On Emergency Links
Hear Aid Pledged

Washingtons amateur radio op-
orators and enthusiasts last night
offered complete cooperation in
case of war or disaster to every con-
ceivable agency, official or unofficial,
dependent on rapid communica-
ton for organized functioning.
Roy c. Corderman, emergency CO.
ordinator of the American Radio
Relay League, said the Government
probably would take over the ad-
ministration and use of amateur ra-
dio equipment in time of war, but
In any other disaster amateurs stood
ready to make use of all their facili-
ties for the good of the community.
Meeting last night at Red Cross
headquarters, under the auspices of
the Washington Radio Club, CEN
trail organization of amateur radio
men in Washington and nearby Sec
tors, were representatives of the
National Guard, Naval Communica-
tions, the Weather Bureau, the
Civil Aeronautics Authority, the
Coast Guard, several national broad
Ing systems, Postal Telegraph,
Western Union, the Red Cross, the
public utilities and other official and
semi-official agencies.
Sounds Out Needs.
The meeting was called by Mr..
Corderman to ascertain from the
various organizations what their
problems would be in case of disas-
ters, such as hurricanes, floods, fires,
billiards., and how amateur radio
men might assist in establishing
temporary communication between
stricken areas and rescue points un-
til contact is resumed.
Various agencies voiced eager
ness to receive the aid of amateurs
here should this locality be cut off
from outside communication. Mr..
Corderman said there were II anna
teur stations in this area, designated
as portable and self contained, in
dependent of public power lines.
Col. Walter w. Burns, commander
of the 260th Anti-Aircraft Artillery,
National Guard, said his group was
in possession of three portable, self
contained units for broadcasting
and receiving, at public disposal in
time of emergency. 1t. G. V. Graves
of the Coast Guard asked the CO.
operation of amateurs, particularly
in shipwrecks and sea disasters, if
Coast GuarG equipment were unable
to function.
Draws Red Cross Praise.
The Red Cross, represented by
Maurice Reddy, assistant director of
disaster relief, was outspoken in its
praise of previous work and poten-
ttal value of amateur radiomen.
1--WE cannot praise too highly these
men. 1t is impossible to exaggerate
the wonders done by amateur radio
men In their work to alleviate hui
man suffering. Mental anguish,
brought on freqeuntly by worry for
missing persons, is often relieved by
information received from amateurs
at isolated or danger points, Mr..
Reddy told the gathering.
Mr.. Reddy said the Red Cross
could not function without rapid
communication, which sometimes
Is obtainable only through the op-
erations of amateurs.
The Civil Aeronautics Authority,
through representative at the
meeting, said it could utilize the
services of amateurs for dissent
mating weather reports to airports
in cases Of emergency or disaster,
were the regular teletype service of
the c. A. A. to be put out of COM
mission.
The Naval Communications Re-
serve, largely made up of amateurs,
offered its peace time services in
case Of failure Of regular channels
to operate in a dangerous emer-
gency. 1t was explained the Navy
would take over all their facilities
in time of war.
Weather Bureau Welcome Aid.
The Weather Bureau, relaying at
mospheric and weather informa-
ton to planes and airports as a
daily duty, said through repre-
sentative, it would rely on amateurs
to assist in its operations, were a
disaster to impair its regular chan
nels of communication.
Police departments of Washington
and outlying sections of Maryland
and Virginia were not represented
at the meeting. However, Mr.. Cor
3 y