Show SEA PIGEONS how to not lt gool good sees kaarlo ice from belp to ta shore bhora captain john H R Dait bartlett lett U 8 N retired chief ft fit the coast signal ser eer 1 vice during the war with spain ihas has reported to tho the department on tho the value of carrier pigeons for signaling purposes tho the baltimore sun bun sum aum inart marlas zos the report as aa follows that experiments be made for the purpose of training horning homing pigeons in connection ft ith coast signaling for the reason that they offer a solution of the problem ot 0 communication with vessels vea tn in the offshore off shore patrol fleet these vessels would most probably operate in districts having established bases and at suck such distance from the coast and from the inshore patrol that visual signaling bould be impossible A homing pigeon service cannot be I 1 improvised in pro and be of tiny real value the birds must bo be systematically anil and patiently trained for a year or two not only to equip the cotea with trained carriers for that locality but to furnish a stock ot of sea aoa bred breeders bleeders bre eders experimental cotes should be located at the base of naval coast defense districts a small vessel provided with a carrier pigeon outfit and an officer detailed to develop this means of communication muni cation catlon and superintend the systematic training of the birds unless this Is done with intelligence for at least a year it would be useless to rely upon it at all such a system cou could I 1 d be econom ally inaugurated and could be mair calr ned qt at a comparatively slight cost A simple routine of drills drilla exercises and reports based upon our recent experiences could be readily pu tInto operation and small rewards or appropriate rating would stimulate proficiency in times of peace such service be of constant convenience to this department and to the maritime interests of the country and the constant practice would mould prepare the men fr the emergencies of war var attention Is called to the tact fact that that every other maritime nation lias has suck such a system generally much more elaborate than the one ona herein proposed organized and operated under tinder its ita naval or maritime |