Broadcasting (Jan - Mar 1949)

LEGISLATION Fogerty Bill Asks Housing Census LEGISLATION looking toward inclusion of a housing census in the 1950 decennial census was set in motion last v/eek with introduction of a bill (HR-1215) by Rep. John E. Fogarty (D-R. I.). The population count in 1950 already has been authorized but the Taft bill passed at the last session, authorizing a check of housing and facilities, died in the House. In the 1940 census, the radio receiving set question was included ^ in the housing census. Only chance for a radio question in 1950 lies in I passage of the Fogarty bill or a similar measure. Should legislation j be enacted to authorize the housing count the Census Bureau would decide whether radio is to be included. President Truman proposed a $15,000,000 grant in the 1950 fiscal year for a housing count but passage of legislation is necessary before the money can be appropriated. Text of the Fogarty bill follows: Be it enacted . . . That the Director of the Census is authorized and directed to take a census of housing in each state, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Alaska, in the year 1950 and decennially thereafter in conjunction with, at the same time, and as a part of the population inquiry of the decennial census in order to provide information concerning the number, characteristics (including utilities and equipment), and geogranhical distribuition of dwelling units in the United States. J The Director of the Census is authorized to collect such supplementary statistics (feither in advance of or after the taking of such census) as are necessary to the completion thereof. . . . Also on the Capitol Hill scene last week Congress gave the President, Vice President and Speaker of the House pay raises. The measure approved by the House and Senate originally contained pay raises for agency heads and assistant heads, but was amended to expedite its passage. The pay raises for high government officials, such as the FCC and FTC Commissioners, are now contained in separate bills before the Congress. President Truman last week asked Congress to give him permanent authority to reorganize any executive agency, subject to the approval of both the House and Senate. The temporary powers for I reorganization, granted the President under a 1945 statute, expired last April 1. Follows Recommendations The Chief Executive's request was in line with recommendations of the Hoover Commission currently preparing plans for streamlining the executive branch of the government. No agency would be exempt from provisions of such a measure. Shortly after Mr. Truman's message was delivered to Congress, Sen. John L. McClellan (D-Ark.) introduced a bill to carry out the President's recommendations. Joining in sponsorship of the bill (S-526) were Sens. James 0. East land (D-Miss.), Joseph R. McCarthy (R-Wis.), Clyde R. Hoey (D-N.C), and Herbert R. O'Conor (D-Md.). It was referred to the Senate Executive Expenditures Committee, of which Sen. McClellan is chairman. A pay raise of |650 annually for all federal employes was recommended in a bill (S-559) introduced Jan. 18 by Sens. Olin D. Johnston (D-S.C.) , William Langer (R-N.D.), Herbert R. O'Conor (D-Md.), and Raymond E. Baldwin (R-Conn.). The measure was referred to the Senate Post Office and Civil Service Committee. Sec. of Commerce Charles Sawyer, in a letter transmitted to Congress Jan. 17, proposed a bill to provide for the dissemination of technological, scientific, and engineering information to American business and industry. A measure (S-453) was introduced by Sen. Edwin C. Johnson (D-Col.), to authorize the establishment of ten positions in the professional and scientific service in the Department of Commerce. Salaries of $10,000 to $15,000 would be provided for the positions proposed for research and development functions relating to the national defense. The Senate Commerce Committee, headed by Sen. Johnson, has been assigned the bill. Walter Bill Rep. Francis E. Walter (D-Pa.) introduced a bill to provide legislation to prevent disclosures of information concerning the cryptographic systems and the communication activities of the United States. His bill (HR-1263) was referred to the Judiciary Committee. A companion bill on crytography was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Millard E. Tydings (D-Md.). This measure (S-277) was referred to the Senate Armed Services Committee. The companion measures were recommended by Defense Secretary James Forrestal in a letter to Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn. This recommendation aroused suspicions that security safeguards might prove to be a checkrein on newsmen and result in unwarranted prosecutions [Broadcasting, Jan. 10]. Rep. Emmanuel Cellar (D-N.Y.), who heads the House Judiciary Committee, indicated that the bill would bear close scrutiny. He indicated such measures sometimes NEW MODELS Shown by Phiico in N. Y. INTRODUCING its new line of "wide screen" television models at a New York luncheon last Wednesday, Phiico Corp., Philadelphia, disclosed them to be last year's models in this year's dress. Utilizing tubes the same sizes as those used last year in the same models, Phiico has masked the tubes so as to display their maximum face limits. Picture size has not increased, although there is an illusion of larger pictures. The screen sizes have increased from 52 to 61 square inches on Model 1150, which sells for $349.50, and from 72 to 90 square inches on Model 1450, at a $439.50 list. These are eye-level consolettes, with 10" and 12" tubes, respectively. The new table model, number '702, offering a 7" tube, sells at $189.50 while the "wide screen" principle is used on two 5-way combinations with 10 and 12-inch tubes selling for $599.50 and $699.50. These feature AM and FM radio, dual tone arm phonographs, and of course the 61 and 90 square inch viewing screens, respectively. contain jokers which might result in unjust penalties against newsmen. The military has explained that the legislation it proposed does not in any way control the free dissemination of information. ATLASS Seeks KLAC Los Angeles RALPH L. ATLASS, president and general manager of WIND Chicago, and Benjamin F. Lindheimer, wealthy Chicagoan who formerly headed the Illinois Commerce Commission, are "negotiating" for the purchase of KLAC Los Angeles, Mr. Atlass disclosed Thursday. He said reports from the West Coast that he was interested in buying the 5 kw station for in excess of $400,000 are "substantially correct." "I like it in California and hope to live there some day," he said in reply to a question whether he intended to transfer all of his interests to the West Coast. Mr. Atlass is chief owner of WLOL Minneapolis and has a heavy interest in WKTY La Crosse, Wis., as well as WIND. He revealed Thursday that negotiations are underway for the La Crosse Tribune to purchase WKTY. William Burgess, publisher of the Tribune, told Broadcasting that conversations relative to purchase of the station were held as recently as last week. Mr. Atlass said the Los Angeles deal is being discussed with Warner Brothers. The motion picture firm's purchase of KLAC and KLAC-TV and KYA San Francisco from Mrs. Dorothy Thackrey has been held up by the FCC. Warner Brothers already own KFWB Los Angeles. Mr. Atlass, partner in the proposed Los Angeles venture, is one of Chicago's most influential financial, political, and sports figures. A close friend of Illinois' late Gov. Henry Horner, Mr. Lindheimer was chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission for three years. He has been an active member of the Chicago Board of Trade for 10 years, is executive director of the Arlington and Washington Park race tracks, and chairman of the executive committee of the AllAmerica Professional Football Conference. He owns the Los Angeles Dons football team, nearly all of Chicago's Washington Park and is chief owner of Arlington Park. Mr. Atlass said negotiations in Los Angeles are with Col. Nathan Levinson, representing Warners. The WIND president is a brother of H. Leslie Atlass, vice president of CBS in charge of the Central Division and general manager of WBBM Chicago. The Atlass brothers developed WBBM, WIND and WJJD into outstanding Chicago stations, selling WBBM to CBS and WJJD to Marshall Field. SET to be used by NBC's Quiz Kids when show goes on network television from WNBQ Chicago Jan. 25 is studied by (I to r) Paul McCluer, NBC Central Division sales manager; John Lewellen, program manager; Jeff Wade of Wade Advertising, Chicago, agency for Miles Labs., and Ben Wampler, scenic designer at the NBC-TV department in Chicago, who created the schoolroom set. Blackboards will appear behind the children's desks and Quizmaster Joe Kelley's seat. BROADCASTING • Telecasting January 24, 1949 • Page 29