Broadcasting (Jan - June 1940)

Running Account of FCC Hearings on Television Continued from page 7i-D tee on standards. He also stated he had in his records a notice dated Feb. 16 calling attention to a coming Feb. 28 meeting of the subcommittee on standards at the DuMont Laboratories for a demonstration of the DuMont methods. Asked by Chairman Fly when RCA President Sarnoff made a speech to the association, Mr. Geddes stated that the only appearance of Mr. Sarnoff, to his knowledge, was during the discussion at a directors meeting held Feb. 8 in New York. Asked to submit minutes or a stenographic record of this meeting, Mr. Geddes explained he did not feel free to do so without specific permission from the organization. Chairman Fly immediately instructed that the requested material be subpoenaed. Mr. Geddes also explained that the only television action taken at the meeting in question was approval of the appearances of Dr. W. R. G. Baker, GE radio and television manager, and himself at the television hearing. He stated that "many other things" than television were discussed at the meeting. Going further into the matter. Chairman Fly then requested that all parties submit all correspondence with other parties, as well as their respective representatives, regarding television activities between the dates of the closing of the January hearing and the opening of the present proceeding. Advised this would be quite a large order, the chairman declared the FCC would take responsibility for the "volume". When Mr. Geddes expressed a desire for pei-mission before complying, the FCC chairman issued instructions for another subpoena for this material. He requested that this material, from all parties, be furnished by April 12 so far as possible. Chairman Fly left the hearing room immdeiately after questioning Mr. Geddes. Farnsworth Counsel Favors RMA Standards Following Mr. Geddes to the stand, Edwin M. Martin, secretary and patent counsel of Farnsworth Television & Radio Corp., outlined the research activities of his organization. He said Farnsworth's extensive program research and development in the television field extends to larger and better tubes, motion picture projection, transniission on higher frequencies and single side-band transmission. The company's present research staff includes 42 technicians and engineers, and grew up around the original experimental staff started by Philo T. Farnsworth 13 years ago. This group, which is purely a research organization looking for "something new" in the field, does not include a larger group of production engineers and others who deal directly with manufacturing problems. The whole engineering staff of the company numbers more than 100, he estimated. Establishing standards at this time will foster and encourage further research, Mr. Martin declared, adding that after giving careful consideration and study of other proposals the Farnsworth organization "favors adoption of the RMA standards". He stated also that commercialization, whether limited or full, should be permitted, hailing it as "an essential step in the development of television, and a step that should not be further delayed". Bingley Tells of Committee Meetings Cross-examined by FCC General Counsel Dempsey, he explained that RCA holds a non-exclusive, nontransferable Farnsworth license, while Farnsworth holds the standard RCA license for manufacture. Although Farnsworth television receivers have been developed to a point where they are ready for maniifacture, and several sets are operating in test demonstrations over the country, none has yet been put on the market, he stated. Production is planned for the near future, he added. Mr. Martin also pointed out that from September, 1939, when the Farnsworth regular sound broadcast receivers were put on the market, until the end of the year about $2,000,000 worth had been sold. The Farnsworth organization also has sold other equipment, including dissector tubes and electron multiplier tubes, he asserted. Describes Availability Of Farnsworth License Cross-examined by DuMont Counsel Roberts, he stated that "any responsible party" is able to procure a Farnsworth license, and under as favorable terms as given RCA. In a colloquy Avith Mr. Roberts, he stated he did not testify that the RMA standards were the only practical standards, but rather that there are in fact several workable standards, although "we think the RMA standards are the best overall". Mr. Martin agreed to comply with the request of FCC Attorney Bauer for a complete list of manufacturers licensed under F a r n s worth patents to build transmitters and receivers. To Mr. Wozencraft's query on the effect of RCA's merchandising campaign on Farnsworth research activity, Mr. Martin stated that it only served to "stimulate our already great enthusiasm for television". Drawn again into a controversy over his previous testimony by DuMont Counsel Roberts, he stated flatly that the Farnsworth company favored immediate adoption of the RMA standards. Working from this statement, Mr. Roberts then asked if, with the RMA synchronizing pulse regarded as inflexible and the DuMont pulse as flexible, he advocated standardizatiom of the inflexible pulse. Mr. Martin plead "ignorance" and did not answer on grounds that he was not qualified to answer such a technical question. Acting Chairman Walker got no response to his "third and last call" for the scheduled appearance of Polytechnic Development Co., and heard a brief statement endorsing immediate commercialization by Robert Robbins, president of CathRay, before recessing the morning session. With Chairman Fly again handling the bulk of the questioning, F. J. Bingley, Philco television research engineer, recounted episodes at the Feb. 21 and 29 meetings of the RMA subcommittee on standards, of which he was then chairman. He related that at the Feb. 21 meeting he expressed the opinion the FCC should be notified the subcommittee was consulting on standards, but that it was the consensus such notification was not necessary and hence was not done. At the Feb. 29 meeting, he said, he and Wm. H. Grimditch, Philco vice-president in charge of engineering, arrived at 10:05 a.m. to find a "considerable number" of members present. They were greeted by the following statement voiced by Dr. C. B. Jolliffe, of RCA, he declared: "Well, have you heard the news? The FCC is permitting limited commercial operation after Sept. 1. RCA got what it wanted, and Philco got what it wanted." Referring to the RMA file submitted by Mr. Geddes, Chairman Fly then asked about a statement, indicated to have come from Mr. Sarnoff at the Feb. 21 meeting, to the effect that "nothing would deter RCA from immediate commercialization of television". Mr. Bingley stated that to the best of his knowledge the statement probably was discussed but not questioned. In his testimony he bore out the minutes of the Feb. 29 meeting which indicated that following a discussion of standards he had resigned as chairman. He explained it was then apparent that the subcommittee's consideration of various standards would be limited in effect, and that for this reason, with Philco's proposals apparently futile, he felt he could not longer serve as chairman. The minutes indicated a new chairman took over at 11:52 a.m., following the Bingley resignation. Commenting on the effect of this RMA attitude, he said since it appeared the "flood gates were about to open", Philco made preparations to suspend its research beyond the 441-line standard and attempt to get into production. RCA Video Activity Sketched by Morton Starting RCA's presentation, A. H. Morton, NBC vice-president in charge of television, outlined the activities of the network in television development from a program standpoint. He stated that 83 persons are on the NBC television research staff, including 49 engineers and technicians, 27 program producers and directors, three costume and setting designers and two working on outside pickups. With a "substantial acceleration" in program research started after March I, he outlined various program developments undertaken and projected, running from Lowell Thomas and Esso newscasts to televising an eclipse of the sun. Among recent technical improvements, he listed a lens coating of potassium fluoride yielding as high as 30% additional light, the new RCA lightweight portable television equipment, and the new orthoconic camera. Audience reaction to the improvements is marked, he declared. With 30 to 35% of the lookers reporting program ratings regularly, he said the rating up to March 1 had averaged 1.98 weekly (3 as top rating), while since that date the weekly average has jumped to 2.19. Fly too mis iug is »1 it-' In line with accelerated developll''' ' mental activity, it was also planne< to add about 10 engineers to thi television staff and to contract nev writers and designers, he comment ed, but these plans necessarily were suspended after the March 2J order "until we can see our waj clear". He stated that "eight oi nine" national advertisers have ex pressed a desire to participate ir television programs. Asked wher he thought commercial operatior should be started, he answered "to day or tomorrow". Cross-examined by Mr. Roberts he stated advertising students have indicated that a well-produced com mercial television program, com bining as it does three fundamen tals of advertising appeal — sight, sound and motion — would have sales effect four to ten times higher than established media. Research Progress Discussed by Engstrom Elmer W. Engstrom, RCA director of television research, launched into a detailed review of RCA's research activities, which he said among other things included tube screen materials, better halftone gradation, greater contrast and large screen projection. He stated there has been no change in this extensive research system since March 1. Mr. Engstrom estimated that from 50 to 65 engineers and technicians were working fulltime on the television research of RCA Mfg. Co. and RCA Communications, with additional part-time researchers bringing the total to over 100, not including assistants. One of the high points of Mr. Engstrom's appearance developed around his testimony on the progress of television relays. He explained that present tests have reached a stage where a relay system between New York and Philadelphia, with two channels each way, is considered practical. Although RCA stands ready to undertake construction and operation of the relay as a common carrier facility, he said no license application would be made until the commercial issue is decided, since until it is decided, there would be nothing to support the service. This observation drew immediate fire from Chairman Fly and Commissioner Thompson, who questioned the propriety of RCA's withholding construction until some sort of financial return seems assured. Carrying out his point, with Counsel Wozencraft by this time in the thick of the discussion, Chairman Fly observed "If you got it (a license for relay transmission) tomorrow, then you ain't got a program and you ain't got a relay," taking the position RCA should properly build the system and then seek the business. Continuing in this line, the chairman stated, "So you're just going to sit tight and retard that end of it" until commercial operation is granted. Mr. Wozencraft reiterated that RCA will apply for a CP "as soon as we can see on the horizon any prospect of its support". Inauguration Telecast Plans Discussed Asked about the prospects for the projected NBC television coverage of the 1941 inauguration in Washington, Mr. Wozencraft declared that it was now "too late" Page 84 • April 15, 1940 BROADCASTING • Broadcast Advertising.