Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct - Dec 1952)

KOIN To Appeal Ruling ( Continued from page 71 ) equipment, construction and installation substantially exceed those set forth in petitioner's application." "In the light of this information," the KXL petition said, "petitioner has some question as to its present financial ability to erect and operate a television station in Portland." Examiner Smith meanwhile, at KOIN's request, continued the Ch. 6 hearing until Dec. 1 pending Commission action on the appeal. Portland's Ch. 12 hearing was completed before Examiner Smith last Thursday, except for issues relating to possible interference to local AM stations. The latter testimony is to be heard starting Feb. 12. The Ch. 12 competition includes bids of Oregon Television Inc., Columbia Empire Telecasters (KPOJ) and Northwest Television and Broadcasting Co. A great part of last week was devoted to examination of John D. Keating, a principal partner. Mr. Keating, who is part owner of KPOA Honolulu, was questioned about KPOA's competitive bid for Ch. 4 with that of KGU Honolulu, as well as an earlier AM application in which he had interest that was in competition with Royal V. Howard for 850 kc. Mr. Howard now is owner of KIKI Honolulu, a 250 w outlet on 860 kc. Newspaper's Operations Significant decision is awaited in Wichita TV hearings for Ch. 3 which would require Wichita EagleKFH to present documents concerned with newspaper's operations dating back to 1930 [B»T, Nov. 17]. FCC Hearing Examiner Hugh B. Hutchison has promised to rule Friday or today (Monday) on a motion by KFH to quash a subpoena already issued calling for that material. The subpoena was requested by KANS which, with Wichita Television Corp., is com peting for Ch. 3. Essence of the reasons for the subpoena, given in a memorandum to Examiner Hutchison by KANS, seems to point in the direction of establishing possible anti-trust violations by the Wichita Eagle. Reference was made in the memorandum to the recent New Orleans Times-Picayune case, the Lorain (Ohio) Journal case, and "forced advertising." Some items seem to point to an attempt to show that the Wichita Eagle promoted its subsidiary KFH to the detriment of other stations in the Wichita area. KFH exhibits indicated that it planned a staff of 111 for the proposed TV station, of which 52 would be solely devoted to TV. It estimated cost of construction at $757,669.10, first year's operations at $597,411.88, and estimated first year's revenue at $426,500 with a $300 per Class A hour rate and $48 for announcements. The KFH balance sheet as of Sept. 30 showed total current assets of $149,314.44 and total current liabilities of $68,846.24. KFH made a net profit after taxes in 1950 of $119,423.19, in 1951 of $125,902.37 and for nine months of 1952 of $141,238.40. Exhibits also showed that KFH spent $53,435.06 for a camera chain to train personnel for TV. In Tampa-St. Petersburg, third applicant for Ch. 8 started Friday, following the completion of the WTSP case. Other applicant is WFLA. Tampa Bay Area Telecasting Corp.'s first witness was Dr. Ludd M. Spivey, president of Florida Southern College at Lakeland. Dr. Spivey is a member of the Tampa Bay program advisory council. Today, Tampa Bay stockholders Dr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Ruskin, Dr. Chester Goodnow and L. W. Baynard are scheduled to appear. Dr. Ruskin is also chairman of the health and civil defense advisory committee to the proposed station; CORRIDOR lineup of KR 1 C-Beaumont (Tex.) Enterprise and Journal officials during TV hearing for Ch. 6 in Washington. L to r: W. W. Ward, editor,' Beaumont Journal; E. C. Davis, executive vice president, Enterprise Co.; R. W. Akers, editor, Beaumont Enterprise; O. E. Davis, president, Enterprise Co.;. Charles Baskerville, -manager, KRIC. PRINCIPALS in WGL and WKJG Fort Wayne, Ind., competitors for uhf Ch. 33 there, listen to proceeding before FCC Examiner Fanney N. Litvin. Front row (I to r) : Miss Helene R. Foellinger, owner, WGL and News Pub. Co.; Leslie Popp, vice president-treasurer and 28.5% owner, WKJG; and Colo Mahlock, WKJG program director. Behind them are Henry Page, vice president-treasurer, WGL, and Edward G. Thorns, general manager, WKJG. Mr. Ruskin, educational programs; Dr. Goodnow, veterans; Mr. Baynard, religious. Mrs. Ruskin is also a vice president of the company. The Tampa-St. Petersburg hearings will recess after tomorrow until Dec. 8. During that time, depositions of other Tampa Bay stockholders will be taken in Florida. New hearing beginning last week was for Ch. 6 in BeaumontPort Arthur, Tex. Three contestants are KRIC, KTRM and KFDM. KRIC began the hearings, which are being held before Hearing Examiner Annie N. Hunnting, with Forrest McClenning, FCC counsel. KRIC Plans KRIC plans to spend $466,135.80 to build, $321,966 for first year's operations, with estimated revenue $325,000 on a $250 Class A hour rate and $50 per announcement rate. Station plans to employ 32 people in the TV station. KRIC is owned by the Enterprise Co., publisher of the Beaumont Enterprise and Journal. Enterprise Co. balance sheet for Sept. 1, showed current assets as $415,915.51, current liabilities $394,451.02. Current assets included KRIC plant and equipment carried at $145,040.10 and KRIC accounts receivable at $13,089.76. Appearing for KRIC were R. W. Akers, editor of the Beaumont Enterprise; W. W. Ward, editor of the Beaumont Journal, and Charles Baskerville, manager, KRIC. Next Beaumont Ch. 6 applicant to present its case will be KFDM. The Fort Wayne hearing for uhf Ch. 33, which began Monday before Examiner Fanney N. Litvin, involves the competitive applications of WKJG and WGL. All of last week was devoted to the WKJG presentation and WGL is to offer its direct case this week. The Duluth, Minn.-Superior, Wis. hearings for Chs. 3 and 6 began before Examiner Herbert Sharfman with the full week being devoted to engineering presentation and proposed coverage arguments between the Ch. 6 applicants, WDSM Superior and WREX Duluth. Lay testimony is not ex pected to commence until early December because of the engineering deadlock. WEBC Duluth, Ch. 3 applicant, petitioned the Commission a fortnight ago to consolidate the two channel hearings because of the Sec. 307 (b) issue (fair distribution of services) which is involved [B*T, Nov. 17]. WEBC asked continuance of both proceedings until a ruling but the examiner requested the Ch. 6 contestants to begin their engineering data in the interim. WEBC is opposed for Ch. 3 by KDAL Duluth. The Ch. 3 case is scheduled Dec. 17. Sacramento Hearings The Sacramento hearings, involving Chs. 3, 10, 40 and 46, have been also stalled temporarily because of engineering conflict involving proposed antenna sites on Pine Hill, 29 miles from the city. The state has ruled that only one tower permit will be issued for Pine Hill, requiring applicants who want to use the site to amend their proposals to show a common antenna structure. The site also poses shadow problems for uhf applicants. Further conference is to be held today (Monday) on the engineering difficulties before Examiner Thomas H. Donahue. Presently, the Ch. 10 hearing is to resume Dec. 15, Ch. 3 on Jan. 1, Ch. 40 about Feb. 1 and Ch. 46 sometime in February. Ch. 10 competitors are KFBK and Sacramento Telecasters Inc. Seeking Ch. 3 are KXOA, KCRA and KROY. Maria Helen Alvarez and Cal Tel Co. are competing for Ch. 40 while John Poole Broadcasting Co. and Jack O. Gross are contestants for Ch. 46. The Flint hearing for Ch. 12, slated to begin last Monday before Examiner Benito Gaguine, has been continued until Tuesday when engineering testimony will be offered. Contestants are WJR Detroit, WFDF Flint and W. S. Butterfield Theatres Inc. The Harrisburg hearing for Ch. 27 between WCMB and WHGB, scheduled to have begun earlier, is to commence Friday before Examiner William G. Butts. Page 82 • November 24, 1952 BROADCASTING • Telecasting