Broadcasting (Oct 1931-Dec 1932)

Unsettled State of Broadcasting Basis of High Power Decision Statement of Facts Explains Commission Awards; Appeals Expected From Several Stations THE UNSETTLED status of broadcasting technique and the possibility that treaties may be made which will materially affect both the use and the number of frequencies available to this country motivated the Federal Radio Commission's decision against a blanket increase in power on clear channels to the maximum of 50 kw. This was the significant statement made by the Commission, Nov. 13, in its statement of facts and grounds for decision in the high power cases. In first announcing tentatively its decisions on Oct. 1, at which time it awarded the maximum power of 50 kw. to nine stations among the two dozen applicants and 25 kw. power to six others, the Commission said the actions would not become effective until the statement of facts was made available. Since then, however, authority to increase its power from 15 to 25 kw. was given WBZ, Boston. Applicants who feel they are aggrieved by the Commission's decisions now have 20 days in which to note appeals to the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia. A number of appeals are expected, and possibly the entire group of clear channel stations denied will go to the court. Covering 75 pages, the statement of facts goes into the merits of each application separately. The awards of 50 kw. to WOR, Newark; WCAU, Philadelphia; WSB, Atlanta; WSM, Nashville; WCCO, Minneapolis; WHO WOC, Des Moines-Davenport; KOA, Denver; KSL, Salt Lake City; and KPO, San Francisco, are supported as providing for maximum public service. Reasons for the selection of WHAM, Rochester; WBZ, Boston; WHAS, Louisville; WBT, Charlotte; WAPI, Birmingham; KVOO, Tulsa; and KFAB, Lincoln, Neb., for increases in power to 25 kw. also are given. Other Problems IN ITS general statement, the Commission brings out that leading engineers urged repeal of this order to permit all clear channel stations to use 50 kw. From a strict engineering viewpoint, it continues, the evidence tends to show that all stations on clear channels should be permitted to use the maximum power. "However, there are other problems," the Commission states. "The art of radio broadcasting is still comparatively new and a well-defined regulation of it has existed for but little more than four years. During this time, and in recent years, the industry and the Commission have had an opportunity to study its development. The effect of General Order 42 is to increase the number of 50 kw. stations from 10 to approximately 20. If the order were adhered to, opportunity would be afforded for the industry, the public and the Commission to ascertain the results and study the effects. An overnight increase of all clear channel stations to 50 kw. power would not afford such an opportunity. Certainly the problems of this great industry must be met with deliberation and caution. "While the general development of the art has been slow, the Commission is not unmindful of the fact that important discoveries have been made in one phase or another of transmission and reception. Likewise, the Commission is not unmindful that at this time research is being conducted in such matters, among others, as antenna design, precise frequency control and synchronization. While in the past the allocation of frequencies has not been seriously affected by changes in transmission and reception, developments may occur as a result of research which would have the effect of requiring radical changes in the allocation of frequencies. And in this connection it may likewise be noted that treaties may be made which would materially affect both the use and number of frequencies. Expenditures Risked "THE INSTALLATIONS requested by these applications involve expenditures of large sums of money. Stations may be required to forfeit facilities for many reasons, and as a result thereof suffer loss in investment and property. This possibility would be minimized if General Order 42 were adhered to. The Commission should hesitate to permit the expenditure of money with knowledge that it may soon be forced to require the wholesale scrapping of property. A proper application of the statutory standard requires that the Commission take these and many other factors into consideration in promulgating an order of general application." In the First Zone, where it substituted WOR for WJZ, recommended by Chief Examiner Yost for the single vacant 50 kw. assignment, the Commision found that with the exception of the Newark station all others carry programs of the NBC. WOR, on the other hand, it found, is not affiliated with any chain and therefore "originates programs designed to meet the local needs of the state of New Jersey and surrounding area in the first and second zones." In the Fourth Zone, where it substituted WHO-WOC for WGN, recommended by Mr. Yost, the Commission held that while WGN is financially and technically qualified to operate with increased power and, while the program service is very satisfactory, the "geographical location of the station and the provisions of General Order No. 42 prevent the granting of the requested increase." Fiery Salesmanship A NEW mark in high-powered radio salesmanship was set by WBEO, Marquette, Mich., recently when a fire razed the clothing store of one W. L. Katz. A radio announcer rushed to the scene, along with the customary crowd, and described the progress of the flames. So impressed was Katz that, when a WBEO advertising representative approached him during the broadcast, he signed a contract, sponsored a program, and recovered most of his losses the next day with a fire sale. Directors Named BY REASON of large purchases of stock, Albert D. Lasker, chairman of Lord & Thomas and Logan, advertising agency, William Wrigley, Jr., chewing gum manufacturer, and William Hertz, of the Yellow Cab Co., have become directors of the Paramount Publix Corp., which owns 50 per cent interest in CBS. Mr. Lasker heads an agency that probably places more national radio accounts than any other agency, while Mr. Wrigley's company recently entered into a large contract for radio time with CBS. Mr. Hertz will also be chah-man of Paramount's finance committee. Davis Seen Head of Radio in House WITH Democratic control of the House apparently assured, the chairmanship of the Committee on Marine and Fisheries, which has charge of radio legislation, is expected to go to Representative Ewin L. Davis, of Tennessee, the committee's ranking Democrat. Had the Republicans retained control, the ranking Republican upon whom the chairmanship would have fallen was Representative Frederick R. Lehlbach, of New Jersey. Wallace White, Jr., Republican, of Maine, former chairman of the House committee, takes his seat in the Senate when Congress convenes in December. Whether he will win a place on the Interstate Commerce Committee, which has charge of radio in the upper house, remains uncertain. Senator C. C. Dill, Democrat, of Washington, who was co-author of the Radio Act of 1927 with Mr. White, is a member of the Senate Interstate Commerce Committee. Senator James Couzens, Republican, of Michigan, will retain his chairmanship of the Senate Interstate Commerce Committee and is expected to introduce again his bill for a Commission on Communications to replace the present Federal Radio Commission. In his recent address before the National Association of Broadcasters, Senator White came out in favor of a communications commission. Gridiron Guide for Radio CBS Invents Device Which Will Identify Football Players For Convenience of the Announcer Ted Husing "RED GRANGE is zig zagging down the field with the ball . . . No, its Benny Friedman . . . my mistake, Oosterbaan is the man." That familiar chatter from favorite sports announcers won't occur very often answer to the long-felt need for some device whereby Husing could determine at a distance — and particularly in the hazy weather that so cften exists for football contests — the details of the swift moves on the gridiron. CAPT. Lewis Burk, of WCSC, Charleston, S. C, announces that he has completed arrangements for the addition of that station to the CBS network. hereafter over CBS, states a formal announcement of that network. CBS has invented a new gadget for football player identification. Ted Husing and John E. Norton, master control engineer, perfected the mechanical device, and it is now being used by the sports announcer in each of his football broadcasts. The apparatus is in the form of mechanisms contained in two boxlike appliances, with top panels on each keyed to the lineups of the two football teams. One of the boxes has a series of 22 buttons for transmitting signals, and the other 22 corresponding light series for receiving the signals. By pressing the proper buttons on the one panel an observer communicates to Husing's receiving panel a detailed enumeration by name and position of the particular players on both contending teams participating in the play. CBS says the apparatus is an I. R. E. Mails Ballots For January Elections FELLOWS, members and associate members of the Institute of Radio Engineers have received election circulars and ballots for the election of officers for 1932. Nominees for president are Prof. W. G. Cady, of Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., and Laurens E. Whittemore, of the A. T. & T. Co., New York. For vice president the nominees are Prof. E. V. Appleton, of King's College, London, and Balth Van der Pol, of the Philips Lamp Works, Eindhoven, Holland. For managers, two of the following four nominees are to be elected: W. R. G. Baker, vice president, RCA Victor Co., Camden, N. J.; O. H. Caldwell, editor, Radio Retailing and Electronics, New York; L. E. Nelson, Bell Laboratories, New York, and Capt. Richard H. Ranger, consulting engineer, Newark. Ballots must reach the I. R. E. secretary, 33 W. 39th St., New York City, not later than Jan. 5, 1932. Page 12 BROADCASTING • November 75, 1931