Broadcasting Telecasting (Apr-Jun 1953)

GOVERNMENT SENATE CONFIRMS DOERFER AS FCC'S NEW GOP MEMBER Republicans gain Commission member and are closer to assuming control. When current Chairman Walker leaves FCC, Republicans will have certain majority. Speculation still high on appointment of new Chairman. FOR THE first time since it was established 19 years ago, th2 FCC stands on the threshold of being Republican controlled, following Senate confirmation last week of Commissioner-designate John C. Doerfer, former Wisconsin Public Service Commission chairman [B®T, March 30, 23]. Actually, the Republicans will have a threeto-three stand-off with Democratic members of the Commission until a successor vo Democratic Chairman P^uil A. Walker is named and seated. Mr. Walker's term runs to June 30, and every indication is that he will be permitted to fill out his third term. Last year Mr. Walker reached the statutory retirement age of 70, but President Truman by executive order waived the retirement requirement until the completion of his term. Mr. Doerfer breezed through a Senate Commerce Committee hearing in apple-pie order, was approved unanimously by the committee last Wednesday and confirmed by the Senate the next day. It is expected Mr. Doerfer will be sworn in this week. He will replace Comr. Eugene H. Merrill, Utah Democrat, appointed by President Truman to fill the term of former Comr. Robert F. Jones who resigned last year. Mr. Merrill's recess appointment terminates when Mr. Doerfer takes the oath of office. Mr. Doerfer will serve until June 30, 1954. Reappointment for a new seven-year term from that date seems assured. Commission Balance Although the addition of Mr. Doerfer to the Commission evens the number of Republican and Democratic Commissioners, it is believed that Independent Comr. Edward M. Webster, former assistant chief engineer and ex-Coast Guard chief communications officer, will line up with the Republican team — Rosel H. Hyde, Idaho Republican and former FCC general counsel; George E. Sterling, Maine Republican and former FCC chief engineer, and Mr. Doerfer. However, Mr. Webster is noted for pursuing an independent course, and therefore there may be keen competition for his vote from the Democratic members — Mr. Walker, Oklahoma; Robert T. Bartley, Texas, and Miss Frieda B. Hennock, New York. Choice of a new chairman of the Commis sion, who can be named at will by the President, still seems uncertain. Those who take the view that Mr. Doerfer will get the nod point to President Eisenhower's appointment of Washington attorney Edward F. Howrey io the Federal Trade Commission and his almost immediate designation as chairman following Senate confirmation a few weeks ago. Hyde's Stock Rises But during the last week the stock of Mr. Hyde — who has been prominently mentioned for the chairmanship ever since the Nov. 20 election results — began to rise again. White House officials were told, it was said, that only through Mr. Hyde's elevation could the FCC be assured of a Republican majority in reorganizing that agency. This is based on the assumption that Mr. Hyde, with his 25 years experience in communications regulation, could move more effectively sooner than Mr. Doerfer, a newcomer to the field. At the Senate hearing on the nomination, Mr. Doerfer had the support of both Wisconsin Senators, Republicans Alexander Wiley and Joseph R. McCarthy. Sen. Wiley appeared personally for the nominee and described Mr. Doerfer's "distinguished career" and "great accomplishments" as a member and as chairman of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. Sen. Wiley was followed by Wisconsin Gov. Walter J. Kohler who praised Mr. Doerfer's integrity and conscientiousness, and spoke highly of his ability to expedite matters. This brought a remark by Sen. Charles W. Tobey (R-N. H.), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, that the FCC was the "weakest commission in Washington" in this respect. Sen. Edwin C. Johnson (D-Colo.) rejoined that perhaps it was Congress' fault, for not giving the Commission enough funds to hire "sufficient hearing teams." Forthright, youthful appearing Mr. Doerfer — he's 48 — obviously impressed the Senators. Since there is no TV in his home market he admitted he did not own a TV set and thus had no firm convictions on educational TV cr color TV. He also made it plain that he FCC Commissioner-designate John C. Doerfer appears before the Senate Interstate & Foreign Commerce Committee hearing on his nomination. came from a strong Democratic family and had actually run for the Democratic nomination for state senator — but unsuccessfully. Switched Allegiance He explained that after President Roosevelt's Supreme Court "packing" plan, he switched his allegiance to the Republican party, and that he had actively supported Wendell L. Willkie in 1940. He has since then considered himself a Republican, although not affiliated with any political party, he stated. Bulk of the hearing on Mr. Doerfer's nomination was an exchange of views among committee members on educational television, and the surprise announcement by Sen. Tobey that the Senate Commerce Committee would hold hearings on the subject "in 10 days" (see separate story on page 58). House Group Bars Media From L. A. Red Hearings ALL news media will be barred from the House Un-American Activities subcommittee's closed sessions in Los Angeles starting today (Monday) when many witnesses who objected to being televised at the earlier open hearings will testify. Rep. Donald L. Jackson (R-Calif.), who will preside, last week said the anonymity requested by these witnesses should extend to all media. Two "friendly" witnesses last week were Dwight Hauser, ABC radio writer-director, and Roy Erwin, freelance actor-writer-sound effects man. Discipline Contemplated Disciplinary action against Jody Gilbert, radio-TV actress, and Libby Burke, TV dancer, and any other member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists who refused to cooperate at the hearings, will be determined next Monday (April 13) by the board of AFTRA's Los Angeles Local. "Unfriendly" witnesses will face charges of conduct prejudical to the welfare of AFTRA under a new ruling adopted by the local last month [B*T, March 16]. Those being disciplined will have the right to a hearing and appeal to the membership, the national board or convention. SENATE Commerce Committee interrogates Ohio), Charles W. Tobey (R-N. H.), chairman; Wisconsin Republican John C. Doerfer, (seated Edwin C. Johnson (D-Colo), and Lester C. Hunt front center, back to camera). Facing Mr. (D-Wyo.). Man seated next to Mr. Doerfer and Doerfer are (I to r) Sens. John W. Bricker (R facing camera, is transcribing proceedings. Page 52 • April 6, 1953 Broadcasting • Telecasting