Broadcasting (Oct - Dec 1950)

BRACKET DEADLINE (Contbiued from page 4) adapter units which, plugged into receptacles provided on receivers, would permit operation at Switch Position No. 2 to receive color in black-and-white; (3) if future color developments lead to standards other than those on which plug-in units are based, new plug-in units will be built to accomodate new standards. Research thus far, company said, indicates this program will "make the new standards available to the public at a minimum cost." Statement filed by Westinghouse Attorney John W. Steen. General Electric, developer of new frequency interlace color system, asked FCC to "take definite action" to show industry that — whether CBS is approved now or decision is postponed "there still remains an opportunity for new and improved systems to qualify for acceptance by the Commission." Otherwise, GE said, further developments in color field will be "arrested" at time when rapid strides are being made to produce systems at least potentially free from "some of the inherent limitations" of CBS system. As manufacturer, GE said it would give FCC "fullest cooperation" though it considered course laid out by TV Report "is technically and economically open to serious question," particularly in view of military requirements. June 1, 1951, was "earliest possible date" it could offer "with any assurance" respecting readiness to start production of bracket sets. Raising anti-trust questions, company said: "We do not feel in a position to agree to abandon the manufacture of all types of television receivers other than the type proposed by the Commission. We must, for the time being at least, reserve for the record our right to use our independent judgement on the type and number of television receivers that we would design and manufacture at any particular point of time in the future." Statement submitted by W. R. G. Baker, GE vice president. Crosley Division of Avco Mfg. Corp. said of course would try to m;?et public demand for sets emnloi7=r-e; "any standards w'-'ich may be prescribed," but cannot agree it would be able to build bracket standards — or even twoposition dual standards — within time limits. In letter from Vice President and General Manager J. W. Craig, company asked FCC to "reconsider" and defer any new standards for "indefinite period" because: (1) "No satisfactory system of color television has yet been fully developed"; (2) even if CBS system could be "Derfected," its use at present time is "impracticable"; (3) delay in adopting new standards would not adversely affect existing or prospective owners of present-type sets and would not aggravate compatibility problem; (4) "adoption of dual or bracket standards before a perfected and feasible color system is available would, in our opinion, be extremely detrimental to the public." Adoption of dual or bracket standards. Crosley said, would reduce production and increase list prices at time when they're already going up due to increased labor and material costs and excise tax. "Such a drastic increase in price coupled with governmental restrictions on installment buying could, in our opinion, be so serious as to practically eliminate a market, except in the higher income brackets," company asserted. Stromberg-Carlson, through Robert C. Tait, president, said engineering staff working overtime since FCC notice to appraise proposal. Number of problems remain on dual synchronization and "very many" on bracket synchronization, company said. Preliminary tests have been made on dual standards but field testing needed. Firm could complete engineering work for dual standards in another month or two but brackets would take "considerably longer period." Another month needed for fielij tests arid then four to six months to get new designs into production, it was estimated. Allen B. DuMont Labs, following up earlier letter with brief which observers felt laid groundwork for possible later appeal to courts, asked FCC to reconsider and cancel its "improvident" proposal on bracket standards. Filed by Washington Attorney William A. Roberts, brief attacked FCC's color report, charged hearing was not "impartial as to the basic question of the WAVE RE-JOINS NAB WAVE LOUISVILLE returned to NAB fold last week after absence of about year, NAB General Manager William B. Ryan announced Friday. AM, FM and TV stations included. Arrangements made in correspondence between Mr. Ryan and Nathan Lord, WAVE general manager. ABC PROTESTS AT&T PLAN ABC has petitioned FCC to review allocation of TV circuits recently announced by AT&T under its tariff for last quarter of 1950. In petition filed Friday by Paul Porter, of Arnold, Fortas & Porter, under FCC Tariff 216 requiring facilities be "equitably allocated," ABC said its allocation was less than one-third that allotted another network, and approximately two-fifths time allocated to still another. Advertisers and stations will prefer "more favored" networks, it charged. FCC slated to consider ABC protest today (Monday) along with similar complaint filed by DuMont (early story page 60). sufficiency of any of the proposed color systems," and accused Comr. Robert F. Jones of being "for color, but . . . against television." At no time during color proceedings was there "any suggestion" that flexible standards — such as FCC permitted under DuMont proposal from 194045 — were again being considered brief declared. FCC's Color Report makes it obvious FCC has approved CBS system, but nevertheless "cannot constitute an adequate legal notice of proposed rule making," brief said. "Without properly adopted standards no color system c=in b.'come commercial and without adequate notice in precise detail on this highly technical matter, a final rule-making would be invalid." Brief charged that Comr. Jones conducted himself "as a prosecutor of the engineering profession." W. R. G. Baker, General Electric Co., chairman of National Television System Committee, submitted reports of meetings by Panels 5 (Receivers) and 8 (Terminal equipment). Panel 5, under chairmanship of David B. Smith, of Philco, on Sept. 13 agreed Nov. 15 deadline couldn't be met, did not consider whether brackets sets are practical and indicated adapters generally complicated since must duplicate some chassis parts. Seventeen manufacturer representatives estimated internal adapting cost at $30 to $40, production commencing next spring. External adapter costs estimated at $50 to $130, plus installation in some cases. Pilot Radio Corp., Long Island City, said it is "physically impossible" to build by November deadline; attacked FCC's "indirect" method of regulating set making industry and "illusory" award if industry agrees; contended FCC action would cause "incalculable harm" to industry and public; presented detailed criticism of FCC findings regards CBS system. John Meek Industries and Scott Radio Lab. wired they are not filing comments. Hoff'man Radio Corp., Los Angeles, filed but statement was not available. Indications were Hoffman took position similar to Westinghouse. Arvin Industries, Columbus, Ind., said solution not apparent yet. Test equipment is lacking and will take two months to convert existing test units. Development of new receiver design alone will take another three months, followed by field testing and production tooling. With procurement cycle lengthening. Arvin estimated delivery of purchased components would take three to four months. Belmont Radio Corp., Chicago, said enough time hasn't been allowed for "thorough study" of problem. Feasibility is termed still "engineering conjecture" although major effort of its engineering department has been devoted to study. Cost of incorporating "continuous standards" declared unknown; dual standards for CBS cost $30, "too high a premium" to charge public for insurance against obsolescence during advent of color. Garod Radio Corp., Brooklyn, said preliminary engineering had been done to determine modifications but no test models were ready because of component delays. Space provided in laying out chassis and panels for "forthcoming production" to provide for added components and controls. Field testing is necessary, Garod said, but bracket production can commence in four to five months after final decision, with added list price estimated at $35. Louis Silver, vice president and general manager, estimated external adapters would cost $50 to $75 plus installation by "highly technical personnel." Closed Circuit ( Continued from page U) attack just after starting trip soliciting station memberships. PERISH THOUGHT of Arthur Godfrey, CBS' one-man gang, returning to active naval service any time soon. Although he's proud possessor of naval aviation wings, and holds commander's rating, his flying would be noncombat and limited. Besides, Navy isn't yet calling up officers of his rank unless they're specialized in spheres in which manpower shortages have developed. BRISTOL-MYERS, New York (Resistab), through Kenyon & Eckhart, New York, planning radio spot announcement campaign, starting in mid-October in number of markets. NON-NEWSPAPER owned independent AM station organization being urged to represent group in matters before FCC and to act for members in seeking better deals with unions, transcription firms and equipment manufacturers. Group would also make drive for new business for this type station. Letter urging formation and exchange of views sent to prospective members by manager of 5 kw independent in large eastern market. HELEN HARTWIG, formerly with Ruthrauff & Ryan, New Yoi-k, as timebuyer, scheduled to join Kenyon & Eckhardt, New York, in similar capacity. RADIO BRASS attending Assn. of National Advertisers convention in Chicago last week included: Niles Trammell, NBC board chairman, flanked by I. E. (Chick) Showerman, Chicago vice president; Frank Stanton, CBS president, and J. L. Van Volkenburg, CBS TV vice president; John J. Karol, CBS sales manager; Ad Hult, MBS sales vice president; Edgar Kobak, consultant and owner of WTWA Thomson, Ga., and C. E. Hooper Inc., of Hooperatings. PROCTER & GAMBLE, Cincinnati, through Benton & Bowles, New York, planning spot campaign for its Ivory Snow starting early in October on 30 stations in 18 markets. EXCESS PROFITS RELIEF URGED BY DISTRICT 12 WITH record attendance of 121, NAB District 12 wound up two-day session in St. Louis Friday by urging industry to point out need for relief from excess profits taxes proposed for next session of Congress (early story page 34). Other resolutions urged board to study industry rate structures in view of increased listening to radio, rising set sales, soaring material costs and higher operating costs ; favored super-BAB project as explained by Charles C. Caley, WMBD Peoria, member of NAB board's BAB Committee; endorsed work of committee for memorial to late John J. Gillin, WOW Omaha; endorsed BMI; favored drive to get new members and plan to ask return of World War II rules on operators with restricted licenses; paid tribute to District Director William B. Quarton, WMT Cedar Rapids; voiced confidence in NAB and staff. NON-TV MARKETS GET BONUS, SAYS HOOPER WITHDRAWAL of important radio shows is creating "bonus" radio audience in non-television markets, C. E. Hooper, president of C. E. Hooper Inc., told Radio-TV Clinic of National Retail Dry Goods Assn. Friday (early story page 25). Radio tune-in in non-TV cities remains at high level, and "bonus" results from fact that with fewer big radio shows on air "the audience-pie is being cut into fewer but bigger pieces," he said. Page 94 • October 2, 1950 BROADCASTING • Telecasting