Broadcasting (Oct 1931-Dec 1932)

ilR©AID>€A§TDINie THE NEWS MAGAZINE THE FIFTH ESTATE MARTIN CODEL, Editor SOL TAISHOFF, Managing Editor F. GAITHER TAYLOR, of Published Semi Monthly by BROADCASTING PUBLICATIONS, Inc. • National Press Building Washington, D. C. Metropolitan 1786 Advertising Manager Executive and Editorial Offices: National Press Building, Washington, D. C. Subscription Price : $3.00 a Year 15c a Copy Copyright, 1931, by Broadcasting Publications, Inc. Brass Tacks AMERICAN broadcasting has reached the stage of stabilization. The era of reckless development is over. Henceforth, American broadcasting must build along sound social as well as sound economic lines. No group of men are better aware of this than the broadcasters themselves, as was evidenced by the proceedings of the NAB convention in Detroit last week. This country's broadcasting must be maintained at a high level with a maximum of self-regulation and a minimum of outside intervention. Realization of this was indelibly impressed upon the broadcasters by important figures in public life and private enterprise who addressed them. Unless the broadcasters present a united front and keep their own houses in order, the insidious campaigns of outside interests, who though they do not say so openly would destroy Radio by the American Plan, may gain force. To arouse public sentiment — which apparently does not want to be aroused against the American system — these enemies have contrived campaigns against too much advertising and against any little flaws they might discern in the American structure. They ignore the high standards most of the organized broadcasters have achieved or are seeking to achieve. Actually, we know that their motives are selfish — that they either want radio to themselves or fear radio as a competitive force in business or social leadership. Happily, these enemies are divided among themselves, with few of them offering any constructive alternatives to the present system and each of them opposed to the other's theories and ambitions. In so young and so successful an enterprise as broadcasting, mistakes naturally are being made. With respect to advertising, for example, we concur in the view that there isn't too much advertising but that there is too much poorly done. This will undoubtedly remedy itself, however, as broadcast hours, which cannot be added like the pages of a newspaper, are held at greater premium and the broadcasters can pick and choose their accounts more discriminately. Striking at basic defects in their own structure and showing evidences of an acute consciousness of their public service duties, the broadcasters at their convention adopted a score of resolutions. Probably the most significant statement heard there was to the effect that service to the listener is the primary requisite to commercial success. If broadcasters generally will follow the course charted by the NAB convention, there isn't a force on earth that can assail them on any front with any hope of success. Mexico THE MEXICAN situation is becoming a matter of grave concern to American broadcasting and emphasizes the need for a definite understanding on the use of wave lengths by North American nations. The construction of eight or ten new stations just across the border is reported in the news columns of this issue. Interference already caused by XER, the new 75 kw. Brinkley station at Villa Acuna, just across the Rio Grande from Del Rio, Texas, focuses attention anew on the problem. The longer the matter is delayed the more serious it will get. Stations going up in Mzxico without regard for those here or in Canada acquire rights which grow more formidable with time. If steps were taken now the contingency might be met with least embarrassment to American broadcasting, and perhaps by a simple reallocation of Mexico's relatively few existing stations. It would seem that it is Federal Radio Commission's province to suggest such a conference to the State Department. The Commission, however, has been inclined to side-step the whole issue, apparently marking time until the Madrid Conference next year in the expectation possibly that the solution will come through the widening of the broadcast band or the opening up of the European long waves on this continent. Praise From Leaders IT WAS gratifying indeed to perceive the note of satisfaction with the American system of broadcasting that marked President Hoover's address to the broadcasters in convention assembled in Detroit. Under private enterprise, President Hoover said, the lack of restraint upon programs and excellence of service without cost to listeners have avoided political and social conflicts and have preserved free speech in this country. In that sentiment a Progressive Democrat, Senator Dill, co-author of the Radio Act of 1927, also appears to agree, for it was Senator Dill who declared in a broadcast address last spring that "Radio in the United States should be kept as free as the press." Gratifying and significant, too, was the closing remark in the address by Senator White, who as former chairman of the House committee in charge of radio was author of the radio act on the House side of Congress: "Our system of communications are here in America a flame fusing our people into an American type, with common ideals and common aspirations for our country. You have splendidly met the obligations these considerations impose. That you will continue to do so, I do not doubt." The RADIO BOOK SHELF MR. ARTHUR W. SCHARFELD, in his recent article, "The Mexican Broadcasting Situation," in the July Journal of Radio Law, Air Law Institute, Northwestern University, has contributed an interesting and enlightening work on the legal problems involved in the regulation of radio communication as between Mexico, Canada and the United States. The work traces the history of Mexican communication from the time of the Indian courier to the use of radio. Attention is particularly drawn to the problems involved in determining the rights of broadcasters licensed to use a particular frequency in either the United States or Canada who find Mexican stations operating on their assignment. The seriousness of this problem has been brought home to broadcasters in this country during the last year by the erection of high power stations not only by Mexican but also by certain disgruntled broadcasters in the United States who have been denied licenses by the Federal Radio Commission. The author has pointed out the international aspect of this problem and the complicated questions of priority of rights involved. Three possible solutions of this problem are suggested: (1) clearing certain regional channels by reducing the power of stations previously operating thereon and assigning them to local channels; (2) reducing the kilocycle separations by the regional and local channels; (3) extending the broadcast band to include frequencies below 550 kc. Since no provision has as yet been made as to what frequencies Mexico shall have exclusively, and in view of the present Mexican laws governing radio communications, the necessity of reaching some agreement between the North American nations is vital. The author discusses these problems from purely a legal point of view. No attempt is made to deal with the intricate and complex political and economic problems which are necessarily involved in determining any international problem. It is worthy of the study of every person interested in seeing the formulation of an agreement for the regulation of radio communication among the North American nations. THE AUGUST selection of the Scientific Book Club was Edgar Felix's "Television, Its Methods and Uses," (McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York City, $2.50). This book is a comprehensive survey of the entire subject of television, largely in layman's language but also of real interest to technicians. The book should be especially interesting to broadcasters wondering what they should do to prepare themselves for television. Mr. Felix gives a frank and impartial analysis of the basic facts about visual broadcasting. One of his most significant points is that present television research is being conducted along long established lines and, once television emerges from the laboratory, it will find a complete advertising and entertainment structure ready to commercialize it. "There will be no long period of adjustment and development," he adds, without, however, venturing to predict when we may expect television to come. "It is no strain to prognostic powers to predict that television is 'just around the corner.' The probabilities are, however, that most of us are congregated hopefully on the wrong corner." The author has had wide experience in all phases of radio since its inception and writes with the authority of one who is well versed technically. Page 18 BROADCASTING • November 1, 1931