NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1941)

Record Details:

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consequence, it has added to its monitoring and other field facili¬ ties. Also, it must keep tab on the many persons who operate electrical apparatus capable of farflung and almost instantaneous communication. So it is requiring all radio operators (about 100,000 licensees — including commercial and amateur) to prove their citizenship. Common carriers are compiling similar data with respect to employees who engage in international communi¬ cation. The Commission has banned amateur communication with foreign countries, and, further, prohibits the use of portable long-distance transmitters by amateurs. Such steps are precau¬ tionary rather than disciplinary. The Commission does not want to interfere with radio and wire communications any more than is necessary for the national protection. Individuals and indus¬ tries concerned are collaborating in this common contribution toward the national security. The relationship of radio, w'ire, and cable facilities to the preparedness picture is being further coordi¬ nated in planning by the Defense (Communications Board, created by E.xecutive order in September. Broadcasting (FM) — Last year, which marked the 20th anni¬ versary of broadcasting, was notable because of Commission recognition of a new type of public service in frequency modula¬ tion, popularly known as “FM.” The ensuing year will offer practical demonstration of FM’s claimed clarity and staticless qualities. .Also, by utilizing the high frequencies, FM promises to relieve the long congested standard broadcast band. Business will benefit by the new equipment, sets, and servicing which FM requires. And, by being generally limited to local coverage, this new service should have a stimulating effect on local programming. Distinctive call letters have been assigned. To date the Commission has authorized 25 FM stations to engage in full commercial operation. Broadcasting (Standard) — This older type of broadcast (which uses amplitude modulation) should experience a marked improve¬ ment in service by reason of the North American Regional Broad¬ casting Agreement, effective March 29th next. Mutual interference problems are expected to be eliminated or minimized as a result of this compact between Canada, Cuba, Mexico, and the United States. To make agreement possible, the Commission is effecting an orderly shift of frequencies without disturbing the general broadcast structure. A total of 846 standard broadcast stations were operating or under construction during the fiscal year. There were 79 new authorizations and 10 deletions. Increased use of directional antennas is necessary in coping with the interference problem. During the calendar year 1939 a total of 70S standard broadcast stations (including netw'orks) reported total time sales approaching ,‘f;i 30,000,000, making a net income of nearly $24,000,000. They also listed a payroll of nearly .$52,000,000 for nearly 25,000 employees. The report of the Commission’s special com¬ mittee on chain broadcasting was the subject of oral argument in December in connection with its consideration by the full Commission. Commission inquiry revealed some 200 domestic stations broadcasting in about 30 foreign languages. Commission action in five broadcast cases was upheld by the United States Supreme Court. Bboadcast (International) — Broadcast service to Latin America w'as improved by reason of the Commission requiring power of at least 50 kilow'atts for international program service. In this country 13 international broadcast stations w'ere operative. Television — Television is now making substantial progress with the cooperative assistance of that industry and the Commission. More than a score of stations geographically distributed throughout the nation have been licensed to experiment with various types of transmission with a view to reaching early accord on uniform standards which will enable television to move forward on a full commercial basis. Participating stations have budgeted a total of $8,000,000 for this practical experimental work. In conjunction with such effort, a National Television Systems Committee, jointly sponsored by the Radio Manufacturers Association and the Com¬ mission, has made a thorough study of the engineering phases of the situation which should be helpful in arriving at a general agreement. The continued rapid evolution of television is attested by developments in color reproduction, large-screen projection, and new service demonstrations. Miscellaneox:s Radio Services — Increased use of radio for miscellaneous services is noted. Police stations have increased to 6,300, aviation stations to nearly 2,000, and more than 1,000 stations are employed for forest conservation work. The Commis¬ sion clarified its rules with respect to more than 450 special emergency stations. This class of station has demonstrated its ability to establish radio communication in time of emergency. The Commission completed its final report on a special study of 10 — January 3, 1941 radio requirements for safety purposes on the Great Lakes and Inland Waters, and gathered information with respect to possible like need on the Mississippi River system. There are 56,300 amateur stations in operation. Some 40,000 commercial operator licenses were handled during the year. Inspection was made of radio installation on more than 14,000 ships and at some 8,600 land stations. Telegraph — As a remedy for many ills in the highly com¬ petitive telegraph industry, the Commission recommended merger of the domestic telegraph companies, and, further, urged consoli¬ dation of international communication carriers domiciled in the Llnited States in the interests of defense and other national needs. Telephone — Savings to telephone users aggregating $10,000,000 annually are indicated by tariff revisions filed with the Commission since its previous annual report. New construction amounting to more than $9,000,000 was authorized. Cable — Some cable, as well as radio, circuits were disrupted as a result of the war, and the Commission speeded authorizations for new or temporary replacements, .Accounting — More than 23,000 tariff schedules were filed by common carriers. The Commission adopted a revised uniform system of accounts for telegraph and cable carriers, to become operative in 1942. The new system, which conforms to Govern¬ ment accounting principles, wall supplant one in use since 1914. Recommendations to Congress — None, other than those con¬ tained in the Great Lakes and telegraph merger reports. FCC APPROPRIATIONS FCC officials will go before a subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations within the next few days asking for an appropriation of $2,315,229 for the 1942 fiscal year. The appropriation under which the Commission is now operating is for $2,176,340. The breakdown of the money being asked by the Commission for the coming fiscal year includes: for the Legal Division, $281,952; Engineering Division, $840,000; Accounting, $379,227; Secretary's office, $534,767; and “other obligations”, $271,296. FCC DUTIES FCC has announced that the work, business and func¬ tions of the Commission for the month of January have been assigned as follows: Commissioner Case Designated to determine, order, report or otherwise act upon all applications or requests for special temporary standard broadcast authorizations. Commissioner Thompson Designated to hear and determine, order, certify, report or otherwise act upon: (a) except as otherwise ordered by the Commission, all motions, peti¬ tions or matters in cases designated for formal hearing, including all motions for further hearing, excepting motions and petitions requesting final disposi¬ tion of a case on its merits, those hav¬ ing the nature of an appeal to the Com¬ mission and those requesting change or modification of a final order made by the Commission; provided, however, that such matters shall be handled in accordance with the provisions of Sec¬ tions 1.251 and 1.256, inclusive, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure; (b) the designation pur¬ suant to the provisions of Sections 1.231 to 1.232 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure of officers, other than Commissioners, to preside at hear¬ ings.