QST, May, 1917, page 3:
W A R !
 
DEPARTMENT  OF  COMMERCE        NAVIGATION  SERVICE
Office  of  Radio  Inspector
To all Radio Experimenters,
    Sirs:
        By virtue of the authority given the President of the United States by an act of Congress, approved August 13, 1912, entitled "An Act to Regulate Radio Communication," and of all other authority vested in him and in pursuance of an order issued by the President of the United States, I hereby direct the immediate closing of all stations for radio communications, both transmitting and receiving, owned or operated by you. In order fully to carry this order into effect, I direct that the antennae and all aerial wires be immediately lowered to the ground, and that all radio apparatus both for transmitting and receiving be disconnected from both the antennae and ground circuits and that it otherwise be rendered inoperative both for transmitting and receiving any radio messages or signals, and that it so remain until this order is revoked. Immediate compliance with this order is insisted upon and will be strictly enforced. Please report on the enclosed blank your compliance with this order, a failure to return such blank promptly will lead to a rigid investigation.
    Lieutenant, U. S. Navy,
District Communication Superintendent.     


    The lightning has struck. We are at war with Germany. As we write, the aerials of tens of thousands of us are being lowered to earth, and our instruments disconnected. We have been ordered to do this by the Navy Department.
    Every amateur station is closed down. The lid is on and clamped tightly for a period of time, the duration of which no man knows. All amateur traffic is halted where it happened to stand. All plans for improvements are cancelled. All the plans of our manufacturers are in mid-air. In short, the great amateur wireless advance in these United States is stopped.
    It is too early to form any intelligent ideas of the outcome. We of the A. R. R. L. have given much thought to the matter during the months leading up to the final declaration of War, even to the holding of special Director meetings, drawing up resolutions and sending a Committee to Washington to appear before the Secretary of the Navy. But it is too early for any action to be taken. There are too many other more pressing problems confronting the authorities. Order will, however, eventually come out of the chaos, and when it does, we amateurs will undoubtedly be called upon for a very important and honorable duty, that of supplying operators and apparatus for Government service, and policing the United States radio-wise. Our resolution as already presented to the Government is as follows, and will give an idea of what may be expected in the future:
RESOLUTION

    Whereas, the American Radio Relay League is now and for three years has been engaged in developing the science of radio communication; and
    Whereas, it has more than three thousand members, many of them experts in radio communication; and
    Whereas, the American Radio Relay League through its membership could draw to its assistance the important local facilities of its members and, through an efficient system of inspection of each district, could furnish promptly all detailed information as to conditions existing in said locality as to every wireless plant in operation; and
    Whereas, the Board of Direction of the American Radio Relay League for the foregoing reasons is prepared to undertake the organization and direction of a systematic plan to eliminate the operation of secret illegal wireless plants, which will be used to supply the enemy with traitorous information, thereby aiding the Government of the United States in national defence;
    Therefore, be it resolved, that in the emergency now existing the American Radio Relay League places its services and all its resources at the disposal of the United States Government.
HIRAM PERCY MAXIM,          
President.
ARTHUR A. HEBERT,          
General Manager.

    While our stations are closed, we should help to the limit of our ability to supply the operators and apparatus for the maning and equipping of the important patrol stations along our coasts. Both are needed, as is evidenced by the fact that our President and General Manager were called into consultation by the authorities and asked to help secure them. Operators are wanted who can work headquarters stations, and receiving apparatus is wanted to equip these stations. The transmitting apparatus is available. Four operators are wanted at each headquarters station. They will work six hours per day under a commissioned officer of the Navy. They will be allowed $60 for uniform and equipment when they start in, and will be paid $30 per month, or more according to operating ability. Until quarters are provided, they will be allowed $1.50 a day for subsistance. The experience will be of the greatest benefit and value, and in the years to come, every one who served his time will be proud of his record. The enrollment is for the duration of the War only. Application should be made to the nearest Navy Yard, and no time should be lost so as to get the desirable assignments.
    There is the situation, fellows. Step up promptly and get into the game with the spirit and the snap for which the A. R. R. L. is famous. If we cannot work our own stations, we can easily enough work one of Uncle Sam's and we are told it is intensely interesting.