Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1952)

4 which is rumored to be investigating (at FCC behest) possible anti-trust aspects of manufacturers' near-unanimous stand against CBS system of color TV. His remarks were also meant as answer to rumors that RTMA members had met in advance of Feb. 8 meeting to buck changes in order — a rumor to which Paramount attorney Paul Porter alluded at meeting itself, drawing vehement denials. * * * * CBS president Frank Stanton, obviously angered, arose to say he didn't feel NPA meeting was proper place to reargue color controversy, so he would address self only to Order M-90. He explained that his interpretation of Oct. 25 agreement was that end products wouldn't be banned, but that manufacturers would be permitted to make color sets if they could do so with no additional materials. But he noted that M-90 specifically bans all "commercial production" of color sets. "As a practical matter," said Stanton, "the result was the same [since] CBSColumbia did not have enough materials allocated to embark upon a sufficient color production program." He recommended M-90 be withdrawn and superseded by an order or statement that NPA will grant no manufacturer extra materials to make color sets. He also asked clarification of question of "color equipment for non-broadcast use" and of built-in adapters and other aids to future color reception. Stanton got in his licks against Sarnoff a few hours after conference when he issued statement charging RCA chairman with "ignoring the truth" and seeking to obscure CBS contributions to color by "unprincipled attacks." He said: "Everybody knows that CBS has been the leader in the long and difficult struggle to bring color TV to the public, despite the persistent opposition of Mr. Sarnoff ... [He] today abused the processes and machinery of the govt, defense program [to] carry on his bitter and desperate campaign to frustrate color... He continues to use every forum for his campaign, except the forum which has been designated by Congress to evaluate his claims — the FCC. "If Mr. Sarnoff really believes that the RCA system is now ready to be adopted, he well knows that the FCC, and not the NPA, is the place to go." Stanton challenged RCA to go to FCC and "once and for all put an end to the doubts and confusions which he has engendered." He also quoted from a hitherto undisclosed letter from Sen. Johnson, praising CBS's "courageous and unrelenting fight... on behalf of color TV." Johnson letter added: "Because of you, the greatest improvement in the art since it came into being is at hand here and now and ready to serve the moment conditions permit. Of course, when NPA contended that national defense required all the materials which you were using to give the people better TV, there was nothing you could or would do other than click your heels and salute Old Glory... I glory in your spunk and in your tenacity of purpose and for the brave way you have accepted the blow from NPA." $ * $ * Chief protagonist of drive to erase M-90, despite byplay between RCA & NBC, was Paramount as half owner of Chromatic. Barney Balaban called M-90 order indefensible in that it regulates end products. He asserted: "I can state flatly that Chromatic Laboratories has developed the Lawrence tube to the point where a set with that tube in it can produce a black-&-white or color picture, and yet uses no other materials than are utilized in any black-&white set." He agreed with Stanton's contention that Oct. 25 agreement didn't ban color TV production as such, merely barred use of extra materials for color. The color ban, said Balaban, "needlessly frustrates progress in TV." He asked whether M-90 was imposed on behalf of TV manufacturers "to tie up the loose ends of the October meeting and provide a decent burial for the Lawrence tube." Sen. Johnson's remarks were brief and mild — in marked contrast to his recent letter to Mr. Wilson stating that his Interstate & Foreign Commerce Committee "will not, without protest, stand idly by and see [color] delayed arbitrarily and capriciously." The Senator told NPA conference: "I'm talking only for myself. I have not consulted my committee. I feel, from my own deep interest in the color matter, that you ought to revoke Order M-90 in the public interest." That was all.