Broadcasting (Oct 1931-Dec 1932)

Record Details:

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Commissioner Robinson the last session. Mr. Vestal said the new bill would embody "some" of the modifications suggested by the Senate committee after hearing testimony by broadcasters, but he did not indicate that all of the features objectionable to broadcast ers would be eliminated. 3. By Senator McNary, Republican, Oregon — A bill amending the Radio Act of 1927 to make it illegal to broadcast lotteries, because newspapers, under the postal laws, are prevented from accepting similar advertising. The form of this bill has not been divulged, but Senator McNary called upon the Federal Radio Commission to draft the proposed legislation. In general, the broadcasters favor some form of legislation along this line. 4. By Senator White, Republican, Maine — A bill to amend the appeals section of the Radio Act of 1927 so that either necessity for procuring construction permits will be repealed or an appeal from decisions of the Commission on construction permits will be made possible. 5. By Senator Couzens, Republican, of Michigan — Reintroduction of the Couzens Bill for the creation of a Federal Commission on Communications to assume the functions of the Radio Commission, the Radio Division of the Department of Commerce and the communications activities of the Interstate Commerce Commission. The measure would also amend in many respects the existing radio law. While, from the regulatory standpoint, this bill is by far the most important piece of radio legislation ever introduced, it is virtually conceded that it cannot complete the legislative gauntlet at the coming session. 6. By Representative LaGuardia, Republican, o f New York— A bill to provide for the levying of flat taxes of 25 and 10 per cent, respectively, on gross revenues of broadcasting stations and on sale of receiving and transmitting apparatus in the hope that $100,000,000 will be derived therefrom for the Treasury. Representative Lehlbach Federal Dill and Davis Quiet UNKNOWN are the plans of such members of Congress as Senator Dill, Democrat, Washington, coauthor of the Radio Act, one of the best informed men on radio in Congress; Senator Glenn, Republican, Illinois, and Representative Ewin L. Davis, Democrat, Tennessee, who evidently is slated to become chairman of the House Merchant Marine Committee as successor to the new Senator White, in view of the possibility that the Democrats will organize the House. Senator Dill and Representative Davis are expected to be very much in the radio legislative picture, though they have not rpoken much about radio in recent weeks. The Senator Dill latter is the author of the Davis equalization amendment, enacted two years ago to require a zone and state equalization of broadcasting facilities. Senator Glenn declared he has not yet decided whether he will reintroduce his bill which would give labor a full-time assignment on a clear channel with 50 kw. The situation has changed within the year and WCFL, Chicago, is now operating full time on the KJR, Seattle, clear channel. It does not, however, have the maximum power. Broadcasters are themselves well aware of the wave of resentment against excessive advertising. The plaint is heard from every quarter. It has been picked up by reformers as the bludgeon with which to smash the present method of broadcasting, and by competitive advertising media which oppose the alleged inroads of broadcasting. Congressional leaders and Federal Radio Commissioners now are echoing this cry. By President Hoover, Radio by the American Plan has been proclaimed as the best in the world. But some broadcasters, in a few glaring instances, have overstepped the bounds, and are bringing down the wrath of the public upon the entire industry. Radio's own yardstick was proclaimed at the recent NAB convention: "There is not too much advertising on the air, but there is too much poorly done." Broadcasters Warned CONGRESS, as a body, does not want to interfere with radio programs. Some of its key men warn, however, that unless concerted action is taken by the industry, public sentiment may force it to enact some sort of legislation to restrict radio advertising. Senator Couzens, of Michigan, chairman of the Interstate Commerce Committee, which originates radio legislation in the upper chamber, gives the assurance that nothing tangible will be done about advertising at this session, but cautions that broadcasters had better get together on some selfregulation. Recognized as fearless and outspoken, Senator Couzens predicted that Congress will not be inclined to heed the "propaganda" of the Vert-ura Free Press and of other mino ies which seek a government moi oly of broadcasting. "We would have change the whole fundamental structure if we undertook to censor advertising," he said. "As I see it, there is no middle ground, and it is either a question of private operation of broadcasting on a proper basis or of outright government control. I am a consistent listener, and although I am wholly disgusted with the whole broadcasting situation, I confess that some programs are nicely done and the advertising is subtly presented. I do not propose to offer legislation designed to censor advertising, but, if the broadcasters do not eliminate the bad material, the people will make them do it through Congress." Periodic outbursts of political oratory against this radio evil or that naturally will occur during the approaching session. Many members on both sides of the Capitol are aroused over local conditions. More than a dozen radio stations have been ordered off the air by the Commission during the year, and more than a dozen Congressmen have heard protests from constituents and are prepared to attack the Commission at the first opportunity. Freedom of speech and religious tolerance on the air will be certain issues as a result of the Commission's recent removal of KGEF, Los Angeles, and the silencing of its pastor, Rev. Robert P. Shuler. Bishop James Cannon, Jr., Methodist Episcopal Church, South, avowedly plans to make the Shuler case a national political-religious issue. Politics and WJKS ANOTHER Radio Commission case apparently having earmarks of politics is that growing out of the Commission's order deleting WIBO and WPCC, Chicago, to make way for WJKS, Gary, Ind., on the 560 kc. channel. The Chicago stations now are operating under stay orders from the Court of Appeals. The case superficially will raise the question of property rights but chiefly will test the validity of the Commission's quota regulations. The Indiana delegation "consulted" the Commission about the WJKS application, and Mrs. Mabel Walker Willebrandt, former assistant attorney general, was coun Senator McNary Senator White sel for the Indiana station, owned by Ralph Atlass, of Chicago. The Commission re1 versed the. recom-' mendation of; Chief Examiner.i Ellis A. Yost1 against granting the WJKS application. The Radio Corporation of America anti-trust case, which became a favorite topic in Congress last year, may be due for considerably more agitation. Committee organizations in the two houses will not be worked out until the new session is under way. At this writing, only one vacancy exists on the Senate Interstate Commerce Committee, and it is possible that Senator White will get the assignment. The House i Merchant Marine Committee has two vacancies at this time, and should the Democrats organize the lower body, as seems likely, the makeup of that committee may be changed considerably. With Senators Dill and White; the upper chamber will have the two best informed men on radio in Congress. Representative Lehlbach is the heir apparent to the Republican radio leadership in th( House, but Representative Davis probably will assume the chairmanship of the Merchant Marine Committee if and when the Democrats assume control. Mr. Lehlbach is thf ranking Republican member of the Committee. Should the Republicans organize the House, he will become its chairman. All things considered, thougr much will be proposed, it is doubtful whether any really important legislation affecting broadcasting will be enacted during the session Commission Denies Application of CBS For Washington Booster by 3-to-2 Vote Grounds for Decision Delayed but Permanency Fear Was Expressed; WJSV Gets Net Account WITHOUT making known its grounds for decision, the Federal Radio Commission on Nov. 20 denied the application of the CBS for a booster station in Washington to be synchronized with WABC, its New York key, on the latter's clear channel. The vote was 3 to 2, Commissioners Ira E. Robinson and Harold A. Lafount dissenting in favor of the CBS application. The adverse report was made despite assurances from the network that it desired the 250-watt booster for experimental purposes only and that it had no plan of promoting widespread synchronization. Later the Commission will make public its statement of facts and grounds for decision. Commissioners indicated wven oral arguments were hear-1, that while they realized the aplication was for an experiment .i station, they felt the booster In effect would become a permanent station, since service probably would be discontinued over WMAL, Washington, the present CBS outlet. Moreover, the unsettled status of broadcasting tech nique and the over-quota status oi the District of Columbia were alluded to at the hearing. Commissioner Lafount submittec a written opinion, favoring th< granting of the application as i possible experiment which migh demonstrate the practicability o.1 synchronization. He concluded thathe experiment should be permit ted under rigid conditions and tha' until its "demonstration" the ques tion of quota should be held ii abeyance. Whether CBS will appeal to the Court of Appeals of the Distrkr of Columbia has not been divulged although the network does no' seem so disposed. Such an appea would not be in order until the statement of facts is made public and then the applicant will havs 20 days to take such recourse. WOL, Washington, had opposee the application on the quotf grounds. At a hearing on Oct. K the Commission was reminded tha WOL had been granted an in crease in power to 250 watts twe years ago but that it had nevei been assigned a regional fre {Continued on page 3b) Page 6 BROADCASTING • December 1, 193 i