REPORT OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER. WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER, Washington, October 17, 1917. SIR: The following report of the operations of the Signal Corps during the fiscal year 1917 is submitted in the absence on duty of Maj. Gen. George O. Squier, who has been Chief Signal Officer of the Army since February 14, 1917, when his predecessor, Brig. Gen. George P. Scriven, was retired from active duty at his own request, after a long and distinguished service in the Signal Corps. The work of the Signal Corps has included the development of the Army's air program, the installation, operation, and maintenance of military telegraph and telephone systems, and radio ship and shore stations, the installation and maintenance of annunciator-buzzer and other target-range communication systems, the supply of the signalunit accountability equipment to the several components of the Army, and the supply of material for the maintenance of fire-control systems and radio and signal stations of coast defenses. At the commencement of the fiscal year 1917 the Mexican border mobilization was in progress. The Signal Corps met its requirements for that additional work with some difficulty. After some months the situation was relieved by an appropriation for the air service, about 10 times as great as the total amount appropriated for such service during the preceding 4 years. Other Signal Corps appropriations and the personnel were also measurably increased. Additional increase in personnel through the Reserve Corps was also authorized and the corps given authority to proceed with the organization of units and the purchase of equipment to meet existing needs. Immediately upon obtaining the required authority, the corps entered into close cooperation with other departments of the Government, with the telegraph and telephone companies, with manufacturers of electrical apparatus, with our educational institutions, and many other interests, and in this manner secured as commissioned subordinates of the Chief Signal Officer, for use during any emergency, officials of the highest prominence and ability, and also obtained through that policy a personnel of reserve officers and enlisted men already possessing the required technical training for the new reserve field and telegraph battalions. At the same time a matériel program, based upon the then existing governmental requirements and manufacturing conditions of the country, was arranged. As a result of the foregoing action, the Signal Corps had at its disposal at the outbreak of the present war the nucleus of its war personnel and complete information as to the possibilities of the matériel market, and with the assistance of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, the National Research Council, and the Council of National Defense, immediately acted to meet the emergency. Conditions made necessary a special air program. Congress approved of the air program and the bill was signed by the President July 24, 1917. Conditions prohibit the publication of details showing the program in personnel and matériel, but it is gratifying to be able to report that the corps is ahead of schedule in all its work. To meet the situation enormous increases in all activities of the Signal Corps were required. Following is a statement of the Government boards directly associated with the office of the Chief Signal Officer, the several divisions necessarily established in that office to meet existing conditions, and a general statement of the duties of each. NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AERONAUTICS. This committee, authorized by act of Congress approved March 3, 1915, to supervise and direct the scientific study of the problems of flying with a view to their practical solution, to determine the problems which should be experimentally attacked, and to discuss their solution and their application to practical matters, includes representatives of the War and Navy Departments and the Departments of the Treasury, Agriculture, and Commerce, and the Smithsonian Institute. It has rendered valuable aid and advice in all aviation matters under consideration. COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE-AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION BOARD. This board was established by resolution of the Council of National Defense of May 16, 1917, to consider matters relating to the quantity production of aircraft in the United States and to cooperate with the Army and Navy in furthering their air programs. In its advisory capacity the board has rendered invaluable aid to the Signal Corps. Joint Army and Navy boards on aeronautical cognizance, design and specifications, Zeppelins, and on technical aircraft were created and have insured the desired cooperation between the War and Navy Departments. OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER. ADMINISTRATION DIVISION. The Administration Division is charged with the coordination of the work of the other divisions of the office. Recognizing the fact that without perfect teamwork among the different arms of the service no army can accomplish the end for |