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64 terference, which would handicap many less experienced and less skillful opera- tors. Proper signals from ships are be- ing caught by the trained ear much in the way that the commercial telegraph operator concentrates only on his ticker in the midst of a room full of variously toned instruments pounding away simul- taneously. Marine radio interference manifests it- self from the east and west coasts to points hundreds of miles inland, and like- wise marine signals from the Gulf of Mexico make their way into public broad- casting wave-length bands as far north as the Great Lakes. The tendency toward installation of Condensed MARINE REVIEW vacuum tube and continuous wave trans- mission equipment, the latter of the arc type of transmitters above the 2000-meter wave length, is growing steadily. With the sharp and noninterfering continuous wave emission of the vacuum tube and arc types is contrasted the broad and in- terfering wave length of the spark trans- mitter. Present radio regulations are under the radio law of Aug. 13, 1912, formerly known as the ship act, which was amend- ed later, and which specified that ships be equipped with radio installation and auxiliary equipment, governing also the licensing of operators. No new radio legislation has been enacted since, and February, 1925 no prospects are seen for anything in this line for some time. Legislation en- acted now might become obsolete later with continuous development of radio service and new inventions. At the Washington radio conference, the question of reports giving the posi- tions of ships was considered by the ma- rine communication committee. It de- clined to recommend the prohibition of free “TR” reports, but indicated its approval of the voluntary efforts to re- duce the unnecessary reports. The ac- tion was taken in the hope that it would eliminate the interference complained of by broadcasting stations. Any way to lessen the number of messages will help. Reviews of Latest Books Before the Mast and After by Sir Walter Runciman, 300 pages, 54% x 8% inches; published by the Charles E. Lau- riat Co., and furnished by Marine RE- view for $4.50 postpaid and in Europe by the Penton Publishing Co., Ltd., Cax- ton House, London, for £1 4 shillings net. Progress in any industry finds its best opportunity for growth through studying and applying the lessons learned by earlier leaders in the field. On that basis, this book is well worth the study of any one engaged in the shipping in- dustry. Sir Walter Runciman, one of the most successful of the shipowners who have given British ships a commercial lead- ership, has had a remarkable career. Running away to sea when a boy of 12, he had years of experience in sail- ing ships, both before the mast and as commanding officer. He then entered steamships and later branched into busi- ness for himself, where his intimate knowledge of ships and trade combined with native ability to put him at the top of his profession- This book gives an intimate picture of seafaring life in the days which have passed, the sailing voyages, the tramp steamers and the hundreds of adventures which marked those days of strong in- dividualism. He has brought back a living fragment of life which bred strong men and strong ships, coupled with a frank account of his shipowning experiences which should prove invaluable to those now in the business. He has always been an advocate of ap- prenticeship training for young seamen, reviving this custom when steam came into its own. The value which he him- self obtained from that experience justi- fies his course but his strong affection for the sea and his pride in his calling’ are also the motives which inspire his desire to adapt young men for success- ful careers on the ocean. As the recital of the adventurous ex- periences of a sailor who had the privi- lege of serving on sailing vessels and as an account of the methods of a man who without supporting financial re- sources made his way to the top of the world’s. shipowners, the book carries a message of interest and of practical value to any one who is serving the shipping industry today, either on board its vessels or in the managers’ offices .ashore. The Tale .of Our Merchant Ships, by Charles E. Cartwright; 275 pages, 5%4 x 8 inches; published by E. P. Dutton & Co. and furnished by Martne Review for $3 postpaid and in Europe by the Penton Publishing Co. Ltd. Caxton House, T.ondon, for 15 shillings net. America’s decline as a commercial sea power since the middle of the nine- teenth century has been traced to va- rious sources. One that is freely brought forward is that Americans are not a sea- faring people. In an interesting and con- vincing manner, Mr. Cartwright has laid the ghost of that tradition. As he says, not only the original stock but the later immigrants came from nations which have made the maritime history of the world. In natural aptitude for a sea life, the present stock has all the essen- tials. Only the lack of commercial nec- essity, brought about by the apparently greater need for today’s development of the vast land resources, has combined to keep that maritime ability from effective development. This book carries no propaganda mes- sage. It is a straightforward and de- cidedly readable story of the agencies which have made the United States a marine power. The early pioneers, break- ing through great obstacles to make their struggling nation a factor in world trade; the era of expansion which had given this country by the middle of the nine- teenth century a commercial fleet which might logically claim the leadership of the world; the trend away from the sea which followed the opening up of the interior bringing about our revealed shipping weakness at the time of the Spanish war, the Boer war and when the bat- tleship fleet went around the world; the coming of the Great war with its clear cut warning of a ship scarcity, and the feverish construction which gave back to this country numerically a command- ing sea strength but still handicapped by lack of the commercial equipment abroad which a normal peace time growth would have brought—all these essential factors in American marine history are brought to the reader. The author knows and likes ships and their ways. He has searched many mu- seums and records for accurate pictures of the important vessels which dot Ameri- can sea history. The illustrations in the book are all from drawings by the author and obviously add attraction to the book by their accuracy and abun- dance. The book is ‘well worth study by any one who wishes to get the full picture of this country’s marine history. Sydney ranks as Australia’s biggest port with 23 per cent of the total over- sea, interstate and coastal shipping. Mel- bourne has 18 per cent, Newcastle 14, Adelaide 10, Fremantle 8, and Brisbane 7. Other major ports are Geelong, Townsville, Port Pirie, Wallaroo, Bun-. bury and Port Darwin with Hobart and Launceston in Tasmania.