Broadcasting (Apr - June 1950)

the standard Lassuming it does, "the price to be ipaid in terms of concentration of (power is too high to pay." Defending the President's plans, [Frederick J. Lawton, director of (the Budget Bureau, said the sole [objective is to improve "organization and administration" of these •agencies and that the plan would *;not alter substantive laws administered by them. The plans would not affect quasijudicial proceedings of FCC and other regulatory bodies, and separation of responsibilities in such proceedings as provided under the Administrative Procedure Act would "fully apply," he said. Other 'Protections' Among other "specific protections" afforded by the Act, he noted, is a provision that "hearing examiners, and the commissioners, when hearing cases on appeal, must make the decision in each case solely from the evidence, briefs, and oral arguments submitted on the record in connection with the quasi-judicial proceedings." This area of activity is not related to the transfer of functions in the President's plans, he said. On direct questioning by Chairman McClelland, Mr. Lawton said rfhe was unable to cite specific improvements which would result from such reoi'ganization or any deficiencies or weaknesses in the present organizational structure. He felt, however, that the President's proposals would provide the "framework" for greater efficiency and administration. Western Stove Show THE WESTERN STOVE Co., Cul' ver City, Calif., last week signed a contract with ABC for a 52-week period to sponsor the Zeke Manners' Show 7:45-8 a.m. PDT, Monday-through-Friday broadcasts on nine ABC Pacific Coast stations. The contract, signed through Brooks Advertising, Los Angeles, is ' effective Monday, May 8. SESACS BUNNY 'Mr. Muggin' Is a Hit SESAC INC., transcription library service firm, said last week it has chalked up its display at the NAB Convention as a "great success" because of a number of orders which have been placed as a direct result. Additional proof of the exhibit's effectiveness, SESAC offcials said, were continued requests from broadcasters for cardboard bunnies replete with lollipops attached which were given away at the convention. Over 3,200 such "rabbits" were distributed during NAB sessions. The bunnies promoted Mr. Muggin's Rabbit, a half hour kiddie show, which is one of SESAC's program script offerings. It already has been sponsored over more than 200 stations, SESAC added. MBS IN CANADA FCC Gives Temporary O. K. MUTUAL's authority to produce programs for transmission to and broadcast in Canada was continued on a temporary basis by FCC last week, pending decision on proposed rules changes which might deny it. The Commission noted that it has pending a proposal which would provide that "since an alien may not be licensed, applications . . . filed by aliens for authority to originate programs in this country for transmission to a foreign country to be broadcast there, will not be entertained." J. E. Campeau of CKLW Detroit-Windsor, a citizen of Canada, is a member of the Mutual board and for that reason, FCC said, "it would appear that the authorizations requested [by Mutual] cannot be granted." But, the Commission added, the proposed rules change has not become final — an initial decision is now pending — and denial of the Mutual application at this time "would be a departure from the past practice of the Commission." FCC accordingly gave the network a six-month temporary extension of its authority to transmit programs for broadcast in Canada, and said final action on its application would be held up until after disposition of the proposed rules changes. KRUX SALE Mrs. Brophy Retains 25% DISPOSAL by Gene Burke Brophy of the major part of her interest in KRUX Phoenix Ariz., to Renee Donnet Cushman was revealed last week in transfer papers filed with FCC. Mrs. Brophy sells 65% to Mrs. Cushman for $31,500. Mrs. Brophy originally was sole owner of KRUX, assigned 250 w fulltime on 1340 kc. She retains 259c interest. Mrs. Cushman, who has extensive ranching interests, earlier had acquired a 10 % holding in the station [Broadcasting, April 10]. Mrs. Brophy told FCC illness of her husband prohibited her from devoting as much time to KRUX as heretofore. Brenner Objects EXCEPTION to reference to Armstrong Daily Sjiorts as a "tip sheet" was taken last week by Jack Brenner, president and general manager of the publication. In a letter to Broadcasting, Mr. Brenner dealt with the coverage by Broadcasting of the testimony of Andrew J. Kavanaugh, public safety director of Wilmington, Del., before the Senate Commerce Communications Subcommittee. "For your information," Mr. Brenner wrote, "the Armstrong Daily Sports has been published for more than 30 years on the highest plane and enjoys the position of the authoritative turf newspaper of its class. It is not a tip sheet. . . ." BROADCASTING • Telecasting May 1, 1950 • Page 43