Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan - Mar 1951)

NAB Becomes NARTB (Continued from page 23) ture and the move to draft Mr. Haverlin as president. Judge Miller was elected NARTB board chairman at the February board meeting in Florida, and technically holds that rank as of March 5. The whole process of transforming NAB into NARTB will be spread over the next few weeks. NARTB is not yet a living corporate structure, technically, and it has no funds. So for practical purposes much of the process will take place in steps. NARTB's budget becomes available as of April 1, start of its fiscal year. The NAB-TV board, now NARTB-TV board, will put most of its structure on a going basis April 1. Things will happen rapidly in the meantime, however. If Mr. Haverlin formally accepts the NARTB presidential offer he is expected to assume the Washington post well in advance of April 1. Mr. Brown will assume office as TV counsel at NARTB Washington headquarters March 8 (Thursday). Under tentative plans the TV wing of NARTB will be housed on the second floor of the NARTB Washington building at 1771 N St. Northwest. Appointment of a general counsel for NARTB will be left to the new NARTB pi-esident, Judge Mil ler indicated last week. NAB board members and members-elect have been contacted on possible appointment of Frank U. Fletcher, NAB director-at-large for FM stations, as general counsel [Broadcasting • Telecasting, Feb. 19]. Board members were contacted on the proposal to suspend a board policy against appointment of station owners to high NAB positions. Mr. Fletcher is a part owner of WARL-AM-FM Arlington, Va., and is a partner in the radio law firm of Fletcher & Midlen. It is understood the proposed Fletcher appointment was favorably received. Activities of the special NAB presidential committee were suspended last week pending the March 7 BMI board meeting. The committee reported its decision to Judge Miller, as BMI board chairman, and asked him to convey to the BMI board the wide industry support for the draft Haverlin movement. Secretary of the committee is Ben Strouse, WWDC Washington, NAB board member. Members of the special presidential committee, besides Secretary Strouse, are William A. Fay, WHAM Rochester; James D. Shouse, WLW Cincinnati; Robert D. Swezey, WDSU New Orleans; Patt McDonald, WHHM Memphis; Allen W. Woodall, WDAK Columbus, Ga.; William B. Quarton, WMT Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Harry R. Spence, KXRO Aberdeen, Wash. BISMARCK, N. DAK. MRS. FARRELL McGONIGLE, secretary to Wayne Coy, FCC chairman, samples a useful gift sent by H. R. Krelstein, vice president and general manager, WMPS Memphis — a supply of St. Joseph aspirin. The aspirin is a product of Plough Inc., owner of WMPS. "There isn't any question but what the FCC is beset with innumerable problems resulting in innumerable headaches," the thoughtful Mr. Krelstein wrote Mrs. MeGonigle. Messrs. Shouse and Fay were not present at the Wednesday meeting. Mr. Shouse, who is evaluating government shortwave broadcasts, had given his proxy and Mr. Fay had contacted Mr. Haverlin earlier in the week at the Canadian Assn. of Broadcasters meeting. Sydney M. Kaye, BMI vice president and general counsel, was not available for comment on the BMINARTB situation. One thing was made clear. Mr. Haverlin will not run BMI if he takes the NARTB presidency. Some confusion had arisen over this point. No word was available on a possible successor to Mr. Haverlin at BMI. Among names mentioned were those of Robert J. Burton and Roy Harlow, BMI vice presidents. Traditionally the president of NAB has been board chairman of BMI. Therefore the BMI board will decide if Judge Miller is to continue as chairman or if Mr. Haverlin should be named to the post in case he accepts NARTB's presidency. TV Member Recruiting Active recruiting of TV members for NARTB was started last week. All TV stations received a letter signed by Judge Miller; Jack R. Poppele, WOR New York, retiring TBA president, and Eugene S. Thomas, WOR, as chairman of the NAB-TV board [board story Broadcasting • Telecasting, Feb. 26]. With membership approval of the revised by-laws and charter a certainty, the entire structure of the industry's trade association assumes new form. TV acquires the autonomy it demands through a separate TV board of directors. A TV director or general manager, whatever the title may be, is to be selected in two or three weeks. Mr. Thomas has been mentioned frequently for this post. The TV head, along with Mr. Brown as TV counsel, will report to the TV board. In turn the TV /ma board will hold joint meetings with the NARTB board. If Mr. Haverlin becomes president, he will take over actual operation of the association from William B. Ryan, BAB president. Mr. Ryan is serving NAB on a consulting basis while directing BAB. He joined NAB last spring, coming from KFI Los Angeles. Some phases of the new NARTB operation remain to be clarified. For example, the new by-laws give the board chairman specific powers plus whatever other duties the board assigns to him. The president's functions are specified in more detail but it is not yet certain how active the new president will be in legislative, governmental and other special types of association activity. Thumbnail summary of main changes in association structure follows : Name changed to National Assn. of Radio & Television Broadcast Three-fourths vote of board required to elect officers (formerly two-thirds). Office of chairman of board created (Justin Miller elected to this post at February board meeting, subject to by-laws and charter ratification). Object of association broadened to include all forms of aural and visual broadcasting. Chairman's duties — preside at meetings of association and board; preside at meetings of radio or TV boards at their request; he is member of board. ■ President's Duties President's duties — execute board policies, including radio and TV boards; manage association affairs; set up estimated budgets for association and separate AM and TV budgets for respective boards; serve as member of board; may preside at association and board meetings. Two classes of active members — radio and television. AM and FM stations as well as networks may be active members (for several years networks have been permitted only associate membership whereas they now may be either active or associate). TV stations and networks may be active members. Associate members (equipment, transcription and other related groups) may attend association meetings, speak from floor, exhibit products and receive services. They cannot vote except on committees. Total number of directors not to exceed 42 — 25 maximum for radio and 14 for televsion. Each of 17 districts elects a director; two atlarge directors each for large, medium and small AM stations and two for FM stations. TV board to consist of nine TV member station directors of which at least two represent TV-only stations (more as ratio of TV-only members increases); each TV network may have a director but not to exceed four directors for this group. Radio directors serve two-year r Page 36 • March 5, 1951 BROADCASTING • Telecasting 3