Broadcasting (Oct - Dec 1945)

NARBA Parley (Continued from page 15) stations in this country suffered ruinous interference largely from Cuban stations. In several instances it became necessary for the stations to assist the Cuban licensees through provision of consulting engineering advice and even of equipment. The Cuban proposal submitted at Rio takes cognizance of the directional situation. The precise position of Cuba is not too clearly projected in this proposal, but it is construed as an indication that Cuba not only "demands" the duplicated assignments but expects assistance from stations in the United States and possibly Canada in the way of equipment and installation. After setting forth its "demands" for the score of assignments, the Cuban proposal, translated from Spanish, reads: Insofar as the use of the said channels requires expensive installations useful only for the specific frequency of the station that will use it, the Cuban Administration finds no justification to compel its broadcasting station the construction of such installation unless the stations would be protected through Regional Agreements or understandings with the neighbor nations with which it would have to share these chann e 1 s, economically reasonable length of time, against changes. Prior to the Rio conference, proposals had been made for extension of the North American agreement, but Cuba protested on the ground that she did not have adequate facilities [Broadcasting, Oct. 8]. Altogether, Cuba asked for new assignments on some 20 additional channels, mainly below 1000 kc, most of them with power of from 15 to 50 kilowatts. Canada had proposed a two-year extension of the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA) and the United States a one-year extension. Cuba insisted, however, upon a new agreement. Little Chance of Unanimity During the last fortnight it has become evident that there is little chance of unanimous agreement on extension of the treaty under its present terms. As a consequence, it has been concluded that it would be desirable to work out a revision of the treaty with a view to extension for a normal five-year term. Such a revised treaty would require ratification by the Senate. Thus, instead of naming an engineering delegation, made up largely of FCC technical representatives for the conference, it would mean that President Truman would be called upon to appoint a formal delegation at policy level. Both the -State Dept. and the FCC would be represented on the delegation. FCC Chairman Paul A. Porter presumably would be an American member and possibly chairman. Commissioner E. K. Jett, then FCC chief engineer, was a top figure at the Havana conference in 1937 at Page 100 • December 17, 1945 Eisenhower Named NAMED last week as a member of the three-man committee by President Truman to make a fact-finding study of the General Motors labor dispute was Milton Eisenhower, president of Kansas State College and former deputy director of OWI in charge of administration. Brother of General "Ike", Mr. Eisenhower has been long identified with radio, both with OWI and previously with the Dept. of Agriculture where he was director of information. He figured prominently in the creation of the National Farm and Home Hour program of the department on NBC in 1928 and frequently appeared on the program. which the treaty was drawn and logically would be on the American delegation. The State Dept. probably would be represented by an assistant secretary, most likely William L. Clayton, who is in charge of Economic Affairs. George P. Baker, director of the Office of Transport & Communications Policy, probably would be a delegate or top technical adviser. Francis Colt deWolf, chief of the Telecommunications Division, and Harvey B. Otterman, assistant chief, in immediate charge of NARBA affairs, unquestionably would be advisers. George P. Adair, FCC chief engineer; John A. Willoughby, chief of the Broadcast Branch, and Marion H. Woodward, chief of the FCC's International Division, also are likely selections as key advisers. The conference agenda probably will be devised this week, assuming acceptances are in. Invitations then will go out telegraphically. It is not expected that the agenda will go far beyond the proposal advanced by Cuba. Other signatories, of course, will have an opportunity to present proposals. The original plan for the engineers conference was to adopt an interim agreement, probably embodying the present NARBA, with amendments to take care of the immediate needs of the signatory nations. That limitation as to scope still is likely. Both the FCC and State Dept. are anxious to have the treaty discussions completed prior to the opening of the clear channel hearings on Jan. 14. Because of time element occasioned by the March 29 expiration of the original treaty, the department is desirous of completing the sessions as quickly as possible to procure Senate ratification before the expiration date. In addition to the Cuban proposal, the Bahamas Government has advised the department that it wishes to be assured of its retention of the 640 kc channel, which is a clear I-A frequency used in the United States by KFI Los Angeles. It made no further proposals. Cuba, in its proposal [text in Oct. 8 issue], asked the right to use the 690 kc channel on a I-A basis. The frequency now is used by CBF Montreal with 50 kw and by KGGF Coffeyville, Kan., using 1 kw day and 500 w night. Cuba also asks for four channels with power up to 50 kw, four with 20 kw, two with 10 kw and four with power from 500 to 5,000 w in the standard band below 1000 kc as well as assignments above 1000 kc. Channels Asked by Cuba Specific channels sought by Cuba, together with U. S. stations now assigned to each frequency but exclusive of stations of other nations on the continent are : 690 kc as clear channel by Class I-A station with 50 kw. 580 kc with from 5 to 10 kw with directional antenna. (Regional occupied by KMJ Fresno, WDBO Orlando; WILL Urbana, KSAC Manhattan; WIBW Topeka; KALB Alexandria, La.; WTAG Worcester, WIAC San Juan, P. R.; WCHS Charleston, W. Va.) 600 kc up to 20 kw with directional. (Regional occupied by KFSD San Diego; WICC Bridgeport; WMT Cedar Rapids; WCAO Baltimore; WSJS Winston-Salem; KSJB Jamestown, N. D.; WREC Memphis; KROD El Paso.) 640 kc, 50 kw outlet as Class II station with directional and protection provided under NARBA standards. (Clear channel — dominant station KFI Los Angeles, plus daytime or limited time WOI Ames, la.; WHKK Akron; WNAD Norman, Okla.) 730 kc — same conditions as 640. (Clear channel — dominant station XEQ Mexico City, plus daytime WPIK Alexandria, Va.) 740 kc — same conditions as 640. (Clear channel — dominant stations in U. S. KTRH Houston; KQW San Jose, Cal.) 800 kc — same conditions as 640. (Mexican-Canadian clear channel.) 860 kc — Class II station with power limitation of 20 kw. (Clear channel with CFRB Toronto as dominant station, plus KTRB Modesto, Cal., and WSON Henderson, Ky., daytime.) 910 kc — same conditions as 860. (Regional occupied by WRNL Richmond; WSUI Iowa City, la.; KLX Oakland; KPOF Denver; KFKA Greeley, Colo.; WABI Bangor, Me.; WFDF Flint; WCOC Meridian, Miss.; WGBI Scranton; WQAN Scranton; WJHL Johnson City, Tenn.; KRRV Sherman, Tex.; KALL Salt Lake City, and KVAN Vancouver.) 920 kc — same conditions as 860. (Regional occupied by KARK Little Rock; WGST Atlanta; WBAA West Lafayette, Ind. ; WJAR Providence; KFPY Spokane; WMMN Fairmont, W. Va.; KFXJ Grand Junction, Colo.; KFNF Shenandoah, la.; WTTM Trenton; WBBB Burlington, N. C; KUSD Vermillion, S. D.) 950 kc — Class II station with maximum power of 10 kw. (Re Mutual's Best 17 MUTUAL has sent to radio editors a list of what network believes to be its top sustaining shows for consideration by editors for listing in poll of best radio programs for past year. Total of 17 programs of all types have been listed. gional occupied by WWJ Detroit; WSPA Spartanburg; WORL Bos ton; KJR Seattle; KPRC Houston WPEN Philadephia; WAAF Chi cago, and KFEL Denver.) 960 kc — same conditions as 96<f kc. (Regional occupied by WBRCj ,"' Birmingham; KROW Oakland;' WELI New Haven; WSBT Sou* Bend; KMA Shenandoah, la.: WDBJ Roanoke.) 1030 kc — same conditions as 950, 'p kc. (Clear channel — dominant station WBZ Boston, plus synchronizec WBZA Springfield, Mass.; KOB Albuquerque, now holding specia service authorization on 770 kc, and KWBU Corpus Christi, Tex.) 1060 kc — same conditions as 9501.; kc. (Clear channel — dominant station KYW Philadelphia.) As to the following channels Cuba asks the right to Class II station with power of some 500 to 5,000 w using directional antennas but asks for assignments on only four of the seven channels speci tied: 660 kc (clear channel — dominant station WEAF New York, plui KFAR Fairbanks, Alaska, anc « KOWH Omaha and KSKY Dallas" daytime stations.) 670 kc (Clear channel occupied fr( by WMAQ Chicago.) c,. 720 kc (clear channel occupied; 0!, by WGN Chicago.) 760 kc (clear channel dominant station WJR Detroit plus KGU Honolulu.) 770 kc (clear channel — dominant [01( station WJZ New York, plus day time stations WLB Minneapolis WCAL Northfield, Minn.; WEW; St. Louis, and limited time KXA Seattle.) ; 880 kc (clear channel — dominant ieit station WABC New York, plus day time WHB Kansas City.) 890 kc (clear channel — dominant stations WLS and WENR Chicago, plus daytime WHNC Henderson1 'at N. C.) h lit! School Listeners ■ Ul" PLANS are underway for the establish-; eei ment of listener groups from schools . throughout the nation for the new ABC } series, "Symphonies for Youth," start-1 ing on Jan. 12. Los Angeles publio school system is distributing materiaj and information to schools. Progranj He will be broadcast by Los Angeles Phil-! harmonic Orchestra, Sat. 1-1:45 p.m. Adopt European Schools VOLUNTARY "adoption" of four Euro*,,, pean schools by listeners to the Marths , Deane show on WOR New York wai 0Ili announced last week. Plan to contribut< lit, food, clothing and school supplies to the schools was suggested initially bj le members of the radio audience who hac l • heard Dr. Howard E. Kershner, chair man of the overseas committee of th< Save the Children Federation, describ( ril conditions of Europe's children. School: to which supplies are now being sen are at Gamvik, Norway; Calais, France Iti Meppel, Holland; and Houffalize, Belgium. -,MT ROADCASTING Telecasi 1: i"