Because many merchant vessels of the United States failed to answer visual signals transmitted by U. S. navy or coast guard vessels, or showed lack of skill in answering, the U. S. Maritime Commission has ordered thé establishment of schools for teaching communication by visual signals. The course of instruction is offered to all licensed masters and mates of the merchant marine, and to cadet officers and cadets of the maritime commission. To obtain his certificate the student must attain a high standard of proficiency in both sending and receiving by the three usual methods of visual signaling, including international code flag hoists, semaphores, and flashing light. Schools will be located at the coast-guard district offices in New York, San Francisco and New Orleans, and at stations in several other principal ports.