NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1941)

1626 K STREET, N. W. WASHINGTON, D. C. Vol. 9, No. 10, March 7, 1941 THE WEEK IN WASHINGTON President Roosevelt appointed Ray C. Wakefield, of Fresno, Calif., to the FCC to succeed the late Thad FI. Brown. IMr. Wakefield has been a member of the Cali¬ fornia Railroad Commission, (p. 215) Judge Henry Goddard on Tuesday approved the Con¬ sent Decree entered into by ASCAP and the Justice De¬ partment. (p. 215) Radio iMovin’ Day draws near, and hundreds of stations participate in the NAB promotion program, (p. 217) New England and Texas broadcasters unanimously en¬ dorsed BiMFs work and pledged their support for its continuance, (p. 220) Frank E. Pellegrin of Omaha was appointed to head the new NAB Department of Broadcast Advertising. (p. 222) Paul W. iMorency, WTIC, and O. L. ‘‘Ted” Taylor, KGNC, were re-elected to the NAB Board at district meet¬ ings. (p. 223 ) Thurman Arnold says that he will continue to prosecute labor unions’ “make work’’ systems, (p. 224) Senator Danaher, Republican, Connecticut, on iMarch 5 introduced a “no censorship” amendment to the LendLease Bill. (p. 225) Chairman James Lawrence Fly of the FCC told a press conference this week that the Commission was studying the legal division’s draft of the proposed ‘‘Monopoly Report.” (p. 226) National Defense The Civil Service people told us today that over 300,000 have been put to work in National Defense agencies since broadcasters put their shoulders to the wheel to locate man power — last July. The situation remains critical in various categories. For example all kinds of inspectors, various kinds of engi¬ neers and skilled craftsmen are all wanted. Radio searches them out in the highways and the byways. iMore will be required as the program goes into full swing. In the defense program, first things come first; and the production of guns, ammunition, ships, tanks, airplanes and equipment are first things. Your help is appreciated. Wakefield New FCC Member President Roosevelt sent to the Senate for confirma¬ tion this week the nomination of Ray C. Wakefield of Fresno, Calif., to succeed the late Thad H, Brown on the FCC. A Rciniblican, iMr. Wakefield is a member of the Cali¬ fornia Railroad Commission which regulates all public utilities in that state. He was born in Fresno in 1895, practiced law there from 1918 to 1937, and was deputy district attorney from 1929 to 1932. He was appointed to the Railroad Com¬ mission in 1937, and was president from August, 1938, to December, 1940. While with the state commission he has had considerable contact with the FCC on telephone rate cases. He has a son, John, and a daughter, Doris. At the NAB’s request, i\Ir. Wakefield made the follow¬ ing statement for the NAB Reports; “I appreciate the honor bestowed upon me by the President in nominating me to membership on the Federal Communications Commission, but I also appreciate the great responsibilities at¬ tached to the office. “If my nomination is confirmed by the Senate, as yet must be done, I shall enter upon my new task with no preconceived notions regarding the radio industry. In other words, I have a completely open mind as to the industry's various problems and desire to approach them wholly in that spirit. .4n objective approach to these problems, it seems to me, can be of material assistance in preserving radio’s present objective position in American life.” Court Approves ASCAP Decree Judge Henry Guddard on Tuesday, IMarch 5, approved the consent decree entered into by ASC.\r and the Justice Department, in the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The previous day, Neville Miller made a statement to (Continued on page 216) March 7, 1941 — 215