Broadcasting (Oct 1931-Dec 1932)

Continental Wave Tangle (Continued from page 6) than formal representations to the Mexican government that serious interference will he caused by the proposed station to United States stations. The results have not been satisfactory as may be witnessed both by the number of new stations authorized to be constructed and by the number of power increases for stations already in existence. Cater to U. S. Clients GLANCING over a recent bulletin I issued by the Department of Commerce we see that there are 41 stations operating in Mexico with varying powers up to 75 kw. The latest information adds to these, a station of 150 kw. and one of 500 kw. which I have previously mentioned, both of which are located as close as they could possibly get to the northern border. It is undisputed that the primary purpose for the establishment of these super-power stations is to serve a United States audience and so to cater to United States advertisers. Assignments to stations in Mexico are not now based on any definite engineering plan. Stations have been permitted to operate where presumably they will cause the least domestic interference and as a result they are scattered somewhat indiscriminately throughout the broadcast band. The failure to allocate stations scientifically together with the resultant probability of interference with our sta tions has tended to foster the plans of disgruntled American broadcasters, who having lost the privilege of operating a station in this country, are anxious to regain their footing in Mexico. These facts show the urgent need for a constructive solution to a pressing problem. What that solution should be is the present task of the Federal Radio Commission and of the State Department. It suffices to say that the basis for any permanent solution must comply with the highest engineering standards — which are our own — and that it must include not only Mexico but every nation on the North American continent or adjoining thereto. It must give adequate consideration to the needs of Mexico and Canada, of Cuba and Newfoundland as extracted from a formula comprising the elements of area and population as well as givin~ weight to certain rights of priority. It also appears to be unquestioned that the eventual solution rests in providing additional broadcasting facilities for the use of these countries. Such facilities can be provided only by extending the present broadcast band or by a surrender of facilities now used in the United States. A step in the former direction may possibly be taken by our delegates to the International Radio Telegraph Conference in Madrid. A step in the latter direction has already been taken by virtue of the agreement entered into between the N.A.B. CONVENTION IN ST. LOUIS Next November Headquarters THE HOTEL CHASE SAINT LOUIS Convenient to all things of principal interest — Its location at Lindell and Kingshighway Boulevards, opposite Forest Park, appeals to visitors — Delightful surroundings. HOME OF RADIO STATION KWK The only Hotel in St. Louis with nationwide radio affiliation. Location, rooms, food, service, facilities, "atmosphere" and a sincere desire to serve you well at sensible prices is our promise. Rates for one, $3 to $5 per day Rates for two, $5 to $7 per day THE HOTEL CHASE ST. LOUIS, MO. J. A. HADLEY, Manager TRANSRECEIVER— New 22 lb. portable unit for transmitting and receiving on 5 meters with onehalf watt power developed by RCA Victor Co., well adaptable for use in relaying broadcast programs or emergency messages from afield. United States and Canada last May. Much has been said both in favor of and against this agreement which consisted merely of an exchange of notes between the Canadian Minister at Washington and the Acting Secretary of State. It was never ratified by the Senate and the necessity for such a procedure has been denied by the State Department on the ground that it is merely a modus vivendi, a temporary or working arrangement made in order to bridge over a difficulty pending a permanent settlement. The President, through his Secretary of State, has in the past entered into other agreements of the same general character but the matter of their validity has never been definitely determined by the courts. For instance, this type of agreement was made to enable American fishermen to exercise certain fishing privileges within British territorial waters prior to the final adiustment by arbitration of the controversy concerning the North Atlantic Coast Fisheries. Apart from any question as to the validity of the Canadian agreement or the scope or duration or interpretation of its provisions, SELLS 'A Vast, Rich Area THOROUGHLY ECONOMICALLY PROFITABLY And is the Only Station Within the Radius of One Hundred Miles COMPLETE SALES AND MERCHANDISING SERVICE TO ADVERTISERS Action on License Plan Awaits Return of Sykes ACTION on the resolution of Acting Chairman Harold A. Lafount, of the Radio Commission, proposing issuance of broadcasting licenses for one year instead of six months, was deferred by the Radio Commission Oct. 7, pending the return of Vice Chairman E. 0. Sykes, now in Madrid as chairman of the American delegation to the International Radio Conference. Mr. Lafount's proposal, submitted Sept. 30, also includes recommendations for extending licenses of commercial stations from one to two years and of amateur stations from one to three years. Making Recordings NATIONAL Sound Studios in the National Press Building, Washington, is making aluminum disk recordings of talks by members of President Hoover's cabinet and other prominent national personages for the Fairchild-Wood Visaphone Corp., which is producing the Visaphone, a device using films and sound for still pictures for lecture purposes. Carl H. Butman, former secretary of the Radio Commission, is president of National Sound Studios. such an acknowledgment might be in fact regarded by Canada as an authoritative admission on the part of the United States touching the reasonableness of the Canadian claim to additional broadcasting facilities. Mexico may also regard it as an admission of similar effect so far as its rights are concerned. Under the Federal Constitution there appears to be no way in which to deter an executive department or official from giving expression to a view as to a policy or law, which regardless of the form it assumes may present a grave obstacle when in the course of subsequent treaty negotiations the United States Government deems it expedient to pursue a different course. Our Position Weakened FOR THAT reason it is difficult to approve the practice of an Executive Department whereby it agrees, without the consent of the Senate, to an understanding and declaration of great importance to the people of this country. The influence and position of the United States in any forthcoming conference is to a large extent negatived by such action which can scarcely be considered advantageous to the general public or to those persons who have invested large sums of money in the broadcasting industry. Our position seems to be particularly weakened with respect to Mexico, which although smaller in total territory has a larger settled area than Canada and nearly twice its population. What the claims of Mexico are or will be, it is difficult to say. They may be modest or they may be extravagant but it is certain that the present United States policy of regional isolation, as applied to broadcasting, must be abandoned. In this way alone can a permanent solution to the problem be reached. Page 26 BROADCASTING • October 15, 1932