The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-05-31

The story was that, over q year
ago, during the heat Of the War
Production Board row between the
Wilson, Nelson forces and the
rmy-Navy- Eberstadt forces, Will
son probably by accident had
picked up with new long-dis-
lance listening device, a conversa-
ton in which Bernie Baruch, I'm
dersecretary of War Watterson,
secretary of War Patterson, I'm
dersecretary Of the Navy Forrestal
and others were critical of the
WPB and of the President.
Chief point and occasion for the
story was that the President was
a forgiving person and had APP
pointed Forrestal Secretary of the
Navy despite the fact that he
knew about this critical converse
ton. This main point. however,
seems to have been obScured In all
the speculation as to whether
private conversations can be safe
in the future. So further elucida-
ton Is in order
FIRST, however, the main
point / want to make here Is
that I now find Mr.. Wilson did
not use any long distance lis
tening device or any other de-
vice to listen in on the above
conversation. This cOlumnist
has often paid tribute to Mr..
Wilson and is delighted to take
this opportunity to do so again,
and TO say that, IL any false i'm
preston we're given, 1t is deeply
regretted. Mr.. Wilson had abb
sOlutely nothing to do with the
incident.
He informs me that his former
company, General Electric, has
not developed any long-distance
electronic listening device. Never
theleSS, other people have, so 1t
looks as if the privacy of the ma
ton might not be too sacrosanct
in the future. co.
One phase of the idea was
first developed in Hollywood
when movie companies wanted
to appear in the picture. So
they used a directiOnal beam
micrOphOne which can pick up
conversations a short distance
away. ...
The radio companies developed
the idea further for baseball games
in order to focus the micraphone
on first or third base from the roof
of the stadium and pick up an
argument with the umpire. This
device will not work at long dis
tanceS.
However, electronic experts say
it is possible to focus a micro
phone from the top of a fairly
tall New York building and pick
up conversations in the street be-
low.
Also, a most unique listening de-
vice is reported to have been de-
veloped by Col. H. o. Zixby, now
of the u. s.. Signal Corps, who
also developed amazing under
water listening device. BY
small microphone placed in a book
or a briefcase and without any
wires, it is reported that con-
versations can be transmitted to
a receiving set some distance away.
This device was developed out
side the Signal Corps and, If the
Army is using this or a similar
device today, it remains military
secret.
So what with radar and tele-
vision. we may soon be walking
around both listening in and
watching people at the other end
OF the block.
Regarding the transcript of
the critical Baruch- FOrFestal-
Patterson conversation, there Is
no question but that this hap
pened. Their conversation was
reported and the general content
Of Il reached the White House,
although by whom and how will
have TO remain one Of those
Washington mysteries. go. -.
II was SO mysterious TO Secre-
tary of the Navy Forrestal that,
q year ago. when he heard about
this whole thing. he had Com
mander Ray Whitley Of Naval In
telligence search his house TO see
where the microphones were To-
Gated.
salt suiritualIy. he Is going 70 have