2 ATZ

One Eric H. Palmer of Brooklyn liked, talked, tinkered with and wrote about radio for several years. He taught it to Eric H. Palmer Jr., 16, his "strong, straight-shouldered" son. He bought Eric H. Palmer Jr. a transmitting set; helped him get an operator's license (2 ATZ) from the Federal Radio Commission; rejoiced in Eric H. Palmer Jr.'s ambition to become "sparks"* on a steamship.

Last fortnight Eric H. Palmer wrote a letter to the Federal Radio Commission about Eric H. Palmer Jr.: ". . .I do not believe he has seen the sunlight in three months. He transmits all night and goes to sleep at 6 a.m. and sleeps until 4 p.m." Eric H. Palmer Jr. had been dropped from two schools, grown sickly. Eric H. Palmer has forbidden his son to operate his transmitting set; had even crippled the set -- to no avail. Eric H. Palmer Jr. continued to tinker and pine. Eric H. Palmer had to ask the Federal Radio Commission to suspend Eric H. Palmer Jr.'s operating license for 90 days.

Said Eric H. Palmer Jr.: "This is a huge joke. Father can't have my license revoked."

But last week, to his mingled anger, awe and pride, to the horror of persons who view with alarm the increased supervision of private life by Federal authority, and to the satisfaction of persons who like to think of the U. S. Government as "Uncle Sam," Eric H. Palmer Jr.'s license was suspended for 90 days by the Federal Radio Commission, whose chairman, Rear Admiral William Hannum Grubb Bullard, addressed Eric H. Palmer Jr. as follows:

". . . We well understand your keen interest in this most marvelous invention with its great possibilities. Those of us who were pioneers will soon be forced to turn the reins of radio over to you boys, and we want you to be strong and healthy, as the burden will undoubtedly increase as new avenues for radio are opened up by you and your colleagues. "This is a marvelous field for the American boy, and such enthusiasm as you have displayed should as a rule be commended rather than discouraged, but in order to develop into a big, strong, healthy boy you must have regular meals and your full quota of sleep."

*Slang for radio man.