Broadcasting (Jan - June 1941)

Defense Activities, Progress of Radio Reviewed by FCC Minimum Interference with Communications Plann In Case of Emergency, Says Annual Report IN ITS FIRST "streamlined" report to Congress, covering major activities for the entire calendar year 1940 rather than only the fiscal year, the FCC Jan. 2 told of its vastly increased functions, particularly because of national defense requirements and new developments in broadcasting and other phases of communications. The FCC advised Congress that in prescribing certain general defense curbs, its action is "precautionary rather than disciplinary". The Commission said it v^^as "proud of the patriotic and cooperative response of operators and industry both". Particularly mentioned was the collaborative spirit of the broadcasters. Treaty Switchover Alluding to the broad powers given the President tinder Section 606 of the Communications Act to commandeer communications facilities, the report said the Commission does not want to interfere with communications "any more than is necessary for the national protection". It desires particularly, said the report, "to preserve the pres WILOA presents "AKWIL" It's Original Sensational Entirely NEWl The Timepiece you have been waiting for. Combining the latest features in a wrist watch. 17 Jewel yellow R. G. p. case. Rustproof Back. Pig Skin Strap. $33.75 Also available in 7 Jewel, Steel cas? with Raised Gold Numerals $19.95 Sweep Second Hand ' Shockproof I Waterproof ' Dustproof • Luminous Dial and Hands • Unbreakable Crystal • Non-Magnetic This Watch is constructed for Dependability and Accuracy — Styled for the Discriminating — Shocltproof — Waterproof — Dustproof — Equipped with Luminous Dial and Hands. 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In a section devoted to the impending reallocation under the North American Broadcasting Agreement, the FCC pointed out that the Havana pact "contains no provision for continued operation of high-pow^ered stations just across the Mexican border". It stated that the chief noticeable difference to the average listener, once the reallocation becomes effective as scheduled on March 29, 1941, will be that his favorite station above 730 kc. will occupy a slightly different place on the dial, usually higher. Explaining the sharp decrease in the number of hearings on broadcast applications, the FCC attributed this largely to changes in the method of handling, pointing out that in the past it has been the practice to designate for hearing, without seeking additional information from the applicants, applications which upon their face did not contain sufficient information to warrant the Commission in finding that grants would meet the statutory standard. The FCC said that during the past year particular effort was made to obtain in detail additional facts, without the necessity of hearing. New application forms were adopted with a view to eliciting, so far as possible, all pertinent information in the first instance, thus eliminating the necessity of^ requiring applicants to file additional material. Right of Appeal Defending this procedure, which has been under sharp attack, the Commission said ample protection is afforded through petitions for reconsideration, re-hearing and hearing, and the right to appeal to the courts, provided by statute. The principal beneficial result of eliminating unnecessary hearings has been to provide broadcasting service where needed, without long delay, according to the report. Procedure in handling complaints and investigations, often a subject of Congressional inquiry, was covered in detail by the FCC. The Commission entertains complaints on advertising continuities, where the action of the station appears to be against public interest, and occasionally refers complaints alleging unfair trade practices to the Federal Trade Commission. In matters involving refusal of time on the air, the report said, complainants are informed that stations are expressly declared by the Communications Act not to be common carriers. It was emphasized that the Commission has made no regulation or condition interfering with the right of free speech. Covering non-standard broadcast services, the FCC recounted de■ velopments dealing with FM, television, and allocations of high-fre < o o < o cr ID (1. O <r (J o 2 z 1000 soo Ibroadcast applications received DURING THE FISCAL YEAR (RENEWAL APPLICATiONS NOt INCLUOEO) UNDER FEDERAL RADIO COMMISSION UNDER FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 1934 I93S '936 FISCAL YEAR Plenty of Pull JAMMED telephone lines recently brought about the signing of a much-sought 26week schedule by WJDX, Jackson, Miss. Jitney-Jungle Stores, with 12 stores in Jackson and others throughout the South, recently contracted for seven quarter-hours on WJDX tying in with its Founders' Week. The programs, on which 10 pounds of coffee were awarded daily to the first 10 listeners calling in the correct number of times the word "Jitney-Jungle" was used during the middle commercial, lasted only three days because telephone lines on the Jackson exchange were blocked for five minutes or so each day. Threatened with an injunction against the program, WJDX dropped the giveaway angle with consent of the sponsor. At conclusion of the short schedule Jitney-Jungle was so impressed with radio's drawing power that it signed the 26week contract. quency bands for those services. It said that the ensuing year will offer practical demonstration of FM's claimed clarity and staticless quality. Television was declared to be making substantial progress, with the cooperative assistance of the industry and the Commission. More than a score of stations geographically distributed throughout the nation have been licensed to experiment with various types of visual transmission, and participating stations have budgeted a total of $8,000,000 for this experimental work, looking toward full commercial operation. Unlike past reports, the Commission made no specific recommendations to Congress. It is expected, however, that early in the new session the FCC may submit recommendations as a result of the netwoik monopoly inquiry, still awaiting final action. Engineering Standards Are Published by FCC COPIES of the FCC's Standards of Good Engineering Practice Concerning Standard Broadcast Stations have been printed for the first time by the Government Printing Office. In announcing publication of the rules in printed form, the FCC indicated that it would send copies free only to broadcast licensees, although others may get copies for 30 cents each from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington. The standards interpret and elaborate on the rules and regulations, which form the basis of good engineering practice as applied to the standard broadcast band, and represent the consensus of the broadcast industry as expressed in conferences with engineers and manufacturers, augmented by extensive field surveys conductd by the Commission's field staff, according to the FCC. First made effective Aug. 1, 1939, the compilation has been revised to July 20, 1940, in the printed edition. FCC in Recess UNLESS there are unforeseen dedevelopments, the FCC will not hold another meeting until Jan. 7, having held its last regular pre-holiday session on Dec. 17. Chairman James Lawrence Fly has been vacationing in Florida and does not plan to return until after New Year's. Commissioner Norman S. Case has been Acting Chairman since early in December. AMONG radio figures signing the Dec. 26 letter to President Roosevelt regarding aid to Great Britain were Barry Bingham, and Mark Ethridge, WHAS and Louisville Courier-Journal ; Dorothy Thompson, commentator ; Wythe Williams, commentator ; Dr. James Rowland Angell, NBC counselor for public service programs. Page 58 • January J, 1941 BROADCASTING • Broadcast Advertising