811.801 Wireless/101
The Acting Secretary of State to Representative Schuyler O. Bland 5
My Dear Mr. Bland: I am enclosing for the consideration of your Committee copies of an aide-mémoire of June 3, 1936, received from the Danish Legation, of a note of May 26, 1936, received from the Netherland Legation, of an aide-mémoire of May 25, 1936, received from the Norwegian Legation, of an aide-mémoire of May 18, 1936, received from the Swedish Legation, and of an aide-mémoire of May [Page 623] 15, 1936, received from the British Embassy, making certain observations concerning Senate Bill 4619, for the purpose of amending the Communications Act of 1934 as regards radio facilities on ships.
All the foregoing communications, with the exception of the aide-mémoire from the Danish Legation, were transmitted by the Department to Senator Copeland, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce.
In a letter of May 29, 1936, addressed to the Department6 Senator Copeland stated inter alia that “it is evident that the maximum of safety, through the use of radio, can only be attained when all ships are radio-equipped and human operators are on watch at all times. While the Bill (S–4619) does not reach this desired limit of safety, yet it cannot be said that it in any way lessens the requirements of the Convention in this, its major purpose and no discrimination is involved.”
As you are aware, the Bill was approved by the Senate and it is my understanding that it has been referred to the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries for consideration. In bringing to your attention the protests from the several representatives of the foreign governments at this capital, I should like to make it clear that this Department naturally favors every possible safeguard for life at sea. It realizes, however, that serious inconveniences can be caused to international shipping by a departure from the uniform terms of the Safety of Life at Sea Convention if individual nations see fit to apply not only to vessels flying their own flags but also to foreign vessels special requirements in excess of the minimum provided for in the foregoing Convention, which was signed on behalf of the United States and is under consideration in the Senate. While, therefore, the Department favors the strict measures of safety as contemplated in the proposed legislation so far as American vessels are concerned, it fears that the application of such measures to foreign vessels may lead to the promulgation by foreign nations of different and more stringent regulations, not only for their own vessels, but also for foreign vessels, which might result in seriously handicapping American shipping.
I shall appreciate it, therefore, if you will be good enough to give your earnest attention to the foregoing considerations as well as to the points raised in the communications from the foreign missions at this capital and if you will advise me of the conclusions reached by your Committee with regard to this matter.
Sincerely yours,