The Naval Radio Service; Its Development, Public Service, and Commercial Work

The work done by the United States Government in connection with radio telegraphy is historically traced, and the practical control of government radio service by the Navy Department is described. The division of duties in this field is between the Bureau of Steam Engineering, which is in charge of engineering and technical details, and the Superintendent of Naval Radio Service, who controls the administrative and operating features. The transmission of time signals, weather reports, hydrographic information, and ship messages from the naval shore stations is considered. The commercial work of the naval radio stations, both shore stations and ship stations, is discussed. This is followed by a description of shore point-to-point work. Certain traffic matters are then handled, such as: rates and charges, the counting of words, relaying of messages, special classes of commercial radiograms, and methods of accounting for tolls.