Broadcasting (July - Dec 1938)

Date for Filing of Briefs Postponed By FCC to Aug. 15 in Superpower Case A 15-DAY postponement until Aug. 15 of the deadline for filing of summation briefs covering testimony at the hearings on proposed new rules and regulations for broadcasting was authorized July 25 by the FCC's Superpower Committee in charge of the proceedings. The briefs had been due Aug. 1 and the extension was granted at the request of certain counsel. The June 6-30 hearings involved all phases of broadcast operation. Most important were those in connection with allowing power of greater than 50 kw. on clear channels and designating 25 channels, more or less, for Class I-A or unduplicated operation [Broadcasting, June 15, July 1]. As soon as the briefs are submitted, the Committee plans to begin work on its proposed report and recommendations. The report, in effect, will be in the nature of an examiner's report and subject to exceptions and oral arguments before the full Commission. It is hardly possible the FCC can promulgate the new rules early next year. Treaty Ratification These rules will serve as the basis for new allocations as prescribed in the Havana Treaty. The treaty, however, does not become effective until one year after its ratification by three of the four nations parties to it, with the fourth signifying its intention of so doing. The United States ratified the convention at the last session of Congress, and Cuba has ratified it. Favorable action from Canada is expected at any time. Mexico, however, is not expected to act until December at which time its Congress convenes. Consequently, it is generally believed the full force of the proposed reallocation, embodying many changes in assignments making Hogan Heads WCLO HOMER HOGAN, formerly manager of KYW when it was in Chicago and for the last four years mid-west manager of Hearst Radio Inc., has taken over general management of WCLO, Janesville, Wis. Mr. Hogan succeeds Sydney Bliss who Mr. Hogan is now publisher of the Janesville Daily Gazette and president of the Gazette Printing Co., owner and operator of WCLO. Before entering radio 12 years ago Mr. Hogan was on the editorial staff of the Chicago Herald-Examiner and was once its city editor. permissible increases in power of certain regional stations to 5,000 watts day and night and of local stations to 250 watts night, will not be felt until late 1939 or early 1940. While the committee has been MiLl KSD has a greater Daytime Population Coverage Area than any other St. Louis Broadcasting Station. Wit The Distinguished Broadcasting Station Station KSD— The St Louis Post -Dispatch POST-DISPATCH BUILDING. ST. LOUIS. MO. FREE & PETERS, INC., NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES NEW YORK CHICAGO DETROIT ATLANTA SAN FRANCISCO LOS ANGELES retarded by the WLW renewal hearings [page 13], serious thought is being given to a number of basicchanges, it is understood. George B. Porter, assistant general counsel of the FCC and counsel for the committee, will aid in preparation of conclusions, along with Andrew D. Ring, assistant chief engineer in charge of broadcasting. The preliminary report probably will not be ready for release before October. All parties would have at least 30 days to file exceptions and ask oral arguments. Even if the FCC sets arguments ahead of routine arguments on its calendar, it is hardly possible that the case will be ready for final consideration before the end of the year. On the question of superpower there does not appear to be any strong disposition to alter the present rule by permitting additional 500 kw. grants, particularly in the face of Senate adoption of a resolution opposing superpower. It is conceivable that it might find superpower technically and economically feasible and then state in its report that it can make no flat conclusion because of the Senate resolution. This, of course, is speculation. The committee is known to be giving serious thought to the matter of Class I-A and I-B stations, or those which would be classified as nonduplicated and duplicated clears respectively. Several stations appearing in opposition to projected Class I-B assignments under the new rules as provided in the Havana Treaty, declared they would be stigmatized in a competitive way if their status was inferior to that of other clearchannel stations. For that reason, thought is known to be given to the classification of clear-channel stations. It is not outside the realm of possibility that the Commission will decide not to discriminate in the designation of such stations, calling all of the 32 channels in this category Class I but differentiating between them only so far as the specific assignments are concerned. In other words, there might be two classes of Class I stations without defining the difference between them but actually taking care of the differentials in the assignments. Certain other provisions such as those outlawing commercialization of experimental authorizations, requirements for clocks in all control studios and those dealing with local ownership of stations, are being scrutinized, it is indicated. WEBC Tells Your Story In AMERICA'S SECOND PORT DULUTH & SUPERIOR And on the IRON RANGE IT'S WMFG H TUBING W H LB VIRGINIA Page 36 • August I, 1938 BROADCASTING • Broadcast Advertising