NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1941)

S. 635 (Sen. Schwellenbach, Wash.) C0MMUNIC.4TI0NS .^CT — To strike Section 315 of the Communications Act and to require each station to set aside regular and definite periods of desirable day and evening time for uncensored discussion on “non¬ profit basis of public, social, political and economic problems, and for educational purposes.” Qualified candidates for public office are not covered by the amendment. Referred to Interstate Commerce Committee. No action. S. 636 (Sen. Schwellenbach, Wash.) COMMUNICATIONS ACT — To add to Section 315 with respect to candidates for public office the requirement that the station shall keep complete records open to public inspection. Referred to Interstate Commerce Com¬ mittee. No action. S. 637 (Sen. Schwellenbach, Wash.) COMMUNICATIONS ACT — To strike Section 326 and substitute in lieu thereof a similar provision with respect to censorship by the Commission with the proviso that it does not exempt stations from liability for defamatory, profane, indecent or obscene language or action broadcast by any officer, employee, agent or representative of the station. Referred to Interstate Commerce Committee. No action. S. 1095 (Sen. Sheppard, Texas) COMMUNICATIONS ACT — To amend Section 303 (1). Corrected bill in substitution for S. 550. Limits the issuance of operators’ licenses to citizens of the United States over the age of twenty-one, provided the Commission may waive the age limit with respect to amateur operators. Referred to Intersate Commerce Committee. No action. S. 1268 (Sen. Wheeler, Mont.) COMMUNICATIONS ACT — To reorganize the Communications Commission by creating a new agency to be known as the Federal Communications and Radio Commission, consisting of an administrative board of three members. Referred to Interstate Commerce Committee. No action. S. 1520 (Sen. White, Maine) COMMUNICATIONS ACT— To amend the Communications Act by creating an eleven-man commission and for other purposes. Referred to Committee on Interstate Commerce. No action. S. 2058 (Sen. Nye, N. D.) PRIZE CONTESTS — Requires pub¬ lication of prize winners and the prize winning entry in all promotion contests carried on through the use of the mails or any facilities of interstate or foreign commerce. Referred to Com¬ mittee on Post Offices and Post Roads. No action. S. 2251 (Sen. Chavez, N. M.) GOVERNMENT BROAD¬ CASTING STATION — Directs Secretary of Navy to construct, maintain and operate high frequency stations to broadcast pro¬ grams to all nations in Western Hemisphere; to appropriate three million dollars for construction purposes and one hundred thou¬ sand dollars for operative expense during year ending June 30, 1940. To Committee on Foreign Relations. No action. S. 2466 (Sen. Sheppard, Texas) COMMUNICATIONS ACT — Same as H. R. 5508. To amend the Communications Act of 1934 by adding Section 307J^, which would prohibit licenses in excess of fifty kilowatts to any station broadcasting network programs. Referred to Committee on Interstate Commerce. No action. S. 2611 (Sen. Wheeler, Mont.) GOVERNMENT RADIO STA¬ TION — Authorizing the purchase of site and erection of building in Massachusetts for use as radio-monitoring station at cost not to exceed ,$30,000. To Committee on Interstate Commerce. Passed bv Senate. Reported to House. S. 2719 (Sen. O’Maiioney, Wyo.) ANTITRUST LAWS— Same as FI. R. 7035. To Committee on Judiciary. No action. S. 2846 (Sen. Wheeler, Mont.) COPYRIGHT — Provides that in network and transcription broadcasts originating station or transcription manufacturer is solely liable for infringement. To Committee on Patents. No action. S. 3043 (Sen. Thomas, Idaho) COPYRIGHT — To amend and consolidate the Acts respecting copyright. Referred to Committee on Patents. No action. S. 3512 (Sen. Pepper, Fla.) COMMUNICATIONS ACT— To provide for public hearings on applications for licenses under the Communications .4ct of 1934. Referred to Committee on Inter¬ state Commerce. No action. S. 3515 (Sen. Bailey, N. C.) TO AMEND THE COMMUNI¬ CATIONS ACT OF 1934 IN ORDER TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT LIBERTY OF EXPRESSION IN RADIO COM¬ MUNICATION — Prohibits Federal Communications Commis¬ sion’s taking adverse action for alleged program offenses; estab¬ lishes for broadcast stations minimum license period of 3 years and maximum of 10 years; requires hearing where the Com¬ mission’s action would adversely affect the interest of any holder of a license or any applicant therefor ; requires a hearing prior 14 — January 3, 1941 to any order of revocation of license; limits powers of the Presi¬ dent in time of peace and war. Referred to Committee on Interstate Commerce. No action. S. 3745 (Sen. Barbour, N. J.) COMMUNICATIONS ACT— To limit the powers of the Federal Communications Commission in certain cases. Referred to Committee on Interstate Commerce. No action. SENATE RESOLUTIONS S. Res. 94 (Sen. White, Maine) COMMUNICATIONS COM¬ MISSION — To authorize investigation of the acts, rules, regula¬ tions, organization and policies of the FCC with respect to censor¬ ship of communications, ownership of broadcasting stations and other matters. To Interstate Commerce Committee. No action. S. Res. 251 (Sen. Lundeen, Minn.) — Whereas the Federal Communications Commission on Feb. 29, 1940, issued an order permitting limited commercial sponsorship of television beginning Sept. 1, 1940; and Whereas television interests immediately launched a manufac¬ turing, advertising and sales promotion campaign; and Whereas the Federal Communications Commission on Mar. 22, 1940, rescinded its order of Feb. 29, 1940, with resultant confusion in the minds of the public and causing abandonment of manufacturing, advertising, and sales programs which had, in effect, been authorized by the Commission’s earlier ruling; Therefore be it Resolved, That the Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce is hereby requested to investigate the action of the Federal Com¬ munications Commission in connection with the development of television and, in particular, to ascertain whether the Commission has exceeded its authority, and whether it has interfered with the freedom of public and private enterprise. Referred to the Com¬ mittee on Interstate Commerce. No action. S. Res. 300 (Sen. Tobey, N. H.) — Resolved, That the Com¬ mittee on Interstate Commerce, or any duly authorized sub¬ committee thereof, is authorized and clirectecl to make a full and complete investigation with respect to (1) the existence, extent, formation, legality, and effect upon the public or any individual or group, of any monopoly in radio broadcasting or any phase thereof or in the production, sale, or distribution of radio receiving or broadcasting apparatus; (2) the administration by the Federal Communications Commission of those provisions of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, which relate in any manner to radio communication; (3) the manner of exer¬ cise by licensees of the Federal Communications Commission of the privileges conferred upon them by their licenses from the Federal Communications Commission; (4) the effect upon the public interest of any contract pertaining to radio to which any such licensee or any broadcasting network is a party; and (5) any attempts made by any such licensee, broadcasting net¬ work, or any person, company, or corporation, engaged in any business relating to radio, or by any attorney, agent, or repre¬ sentative of any such licensee, network, person, company, or corporation to unduly influence any public official in the exercise of his duties with respect to any matter pertaining to radio. The committee shall report to the Senate, at the earliest practicable date, the results of its investigation, together with its recom¬ mendations, if any, for necessary legislation. Referred to the Committee on Interstate Commerce. No action. HOUSE BILLS H. R. 94 (Mr. Maloney, La.) PAID TESTIMONIALS— To require announcement of paid “recommendations” (testimonials), if any at time of broadcast. Referred to Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee. No action. H. R, 251 (Mr. Culkin, N. Y.) LIQUOR ADVERTISING— To prohibit radio advertising of alcoholic beverages. Referred to Interstate and F'oreign Commerce Committee. No action. H. R. 252 (Mr. Culkin, N. Y.) LIQUOR ADVERTISING— Same as II. R. 251, except that it specifically defines “alcoholic beverage” as including “beer, ale, wdne, gin, whiskey, or brandy.” Referred to Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee. No action. H. R. 253 (Mr. Culkin, N. Y.) LIQUOR ADVERTISING— To prohibit the transportation in interstate commerce of intoxi¬ cating liquor advertising, cither by mail or otherwise, including radio broadcasting. Referred to Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee. No action. H. R. 924 (Mr. Culkin, N. Y.) LIQUOR ADVERTISING— Same as H. R. 253, except that it pertains to “alcoholic beverages” and is not limited to “intoxicating liquor.” Referred to Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee. No action.