Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1955)

GOVERNMENT McCONNAUGHEY BID PASSES COMMITTEE whether this will be the case can be determined only in the light of such testimony itself. "Accordingly, the Broadcast Bureau hereby advises the examiner and counsel for Mr. Lamb that it proposes to call Mr. Lamb as the next witness in this proceeding, and that it is proposed to call Mr. Lamb as an adverse party whose examination and testimony would be governed by the evidentiary rules applicable in such circumstances." The Broadcast Bureau said it expected Mr. Lamb to appear voluntarily. News Panel Quizzes Magnuson On CBS' 'Face the Nation' SEN. WARREN G. MAGNUSON (D-Wash.), chairman of the Senate Interstate & Foreign Commerce Committee, was to have been interviewed by a newsmen panel on Face the Nation yesterday (Sunday, 2:30-3 p.m. EST on CBSTV and 10:05-10:30 p.m. EST on CBS Radio). CBS, in advance of the program, said the appearance of the senator would provide "the broadest opportunity to date for public discussion of proposed legislation _ and regulations affecting the operation of radio and television networks in this country." Panelists were to include Rowland Evans Jr., AP correspondent; Sol Taishoff, editor and publisher of B*T, and Joseph Gambatese, associate editor, Nation's Business. Ted Koop, CBS Washington director of news and public affairs, is moderator. Nomination of FCC chairman was reported out without objection. Final approval by full Senate seen by Bricker. NOMINATION of George C. McConnaughey to the FCC was reported to the Senate for confirmation Thursday, a day after it cleared the Senate Commerce Committee by voice vote. The nomination was put on the Senate's executive calendar, but whether it was to come to a vote last Friday was uncertain, since that body was preoccupied with a big legislative problem — the controversial proposal to cut income taxes. The 11 members of the committee present at the Wednesday closed meeting reported the nomination of the appointee FCC chairman "without objection" and with no discussion. Members, however, reserved the right to oppose or support the nomination on the floor. "That's the normal procedure," said Committee Chairman Warren G. Magnuson (D-Wash.). Sen. John W. Bricker (R-Ohio), who reported the nomination to the Senate from the committee Thursday, had said earlier, according to a spokesman, that he expected Chairman McConnaughey to be confirmed with only a few senators, if any, voting against him. Sen. Magnuson, too, said he thought the nomination would go through if there is no "abnormal opposition," although he added, "I don't know what's going to happen." He said it was "only right" for the committee to act, since the nomination has been "hanging fire so long." Sen. Magnuson said he had not made up his mind how he would vote. Two Democratic and two Republican committee members were absent from the Wednesday session on the McConnaughey nomination. They were Democrats A. S. Mike Monroney (Okla.) and Price Daniel (Tex.) and Republicans John M. Butler (Md.) and Charles E. Potter (Mich.). Sen. Monroney left his proxy vote for approval with Sen. Magnuson on condition he could oppose confirmation on the floor if he wished. It marked the second time the McConnaughey nomination had got as far as the Senate calendar. Mr. McConnaughey was approved by the committee — Democrats abstaining from a vote — at a special session of the Senate last fall following a hearing, but confirmation was blocked on the floor by Democratic leaders [B«T, Nov. 15, 1954]. Mr. McConnaughey again went before the committee late last month to undergo a grueling barrage of questioning by Democrats [B»T, Feb. 28], with the decision delayed, according to Sen. Magnuson, "to let the dust settle." The FCC chairman, who has been serving under a recess appointment by the President since Oct. 4, 1954, was championed at both hearings by Sen. Bricker, a fellow Ohioan and "life-long friend." Sen, Bricker, now ranking Republican on the committee, was its chairman during the GOP-controlled 83d Congress. Chairman McConnaughey would serve the remainder of the seven-year period which began July 1, 1950, and which was left vacant last year by the resignation of Comr. George E. Sterling [B«T, Sept. 13, 1954]. St. Louis, Andalusia Tvs Granted by FCC TWO new tv stations, at St. Louis, Mo., and Andalusia, Ala., were granted by the FCC last week. St. Louis ch. 36 was granted to Signal Hill Telecasting Corp., permittee of ch. 54 WTVI (TV) Belleville, 111. (St. Louis area). The grant is subject to condition that no operation commence until the ch. 54 permit is surrendered. When Signal Hill applied for the ch. 36 facility it informed the Commission that if they receive the ch. 36 facility it will surrender its ch. 54 permit and change its call letters to KTVI (TV) [B«T, Feb. 14]. Signal Hill will take over all of the now-defunct KSTM-TV facilities, the application disclosed. KSTM-TV surrendered its permit for ch. 36 last year in order to participate in the St. Louis ch. 1 1 hearing. Use of the KSTM-TV facilities would permit Signal Hill to centrally cover the St. Louis area and also put a Grade A signal into Belleville. The change to the lower uhf channel would save Signal Hill approximately $50,000 a year in operating expenses, the application disclosed. Signal Hill will operate the ch. 36 facility with an effective radiated power of 214 kw visual and 112 kw aural with antenna height of 590 ft. above average terrain. At Andalusia, a new noncommercial educational tv station on ch. 2 was granted to Alabama Educational Tv Commission, permittee of ch. 7 WEDM (TV) Munford and ch. 10 Broadcasting • Telecasting KXLY-TV PRODUCES 1000% SALES GAIN! KXLY-TV's vastly superior coverage combined with powerful merchandising (FREE to qualified advertisers) really delivers SALES! Look what happened for White King "D". "If is with a great deal of enthusiasm that I write and tell you of the wonderful results we received in your recent Telemarket with the IGA and Red and White Stores. We had over 70 displays in these stores and the movement of our new White King "D" increased over a thousand percent in the two weeks. I am looking forward to another Telemarket in the not too distant future and have every confidence that it will be bigger and better than the one we have just concluded. Very truly yours, (signed) Art Gwinner District Sales Manager Spokane Available at a discount when purchased in conjunction with the "XL" network. 5 p o k n n e KXLY-TV UMSHMGTOn RKHRRD E J0HES ukE pres. & gen. mgr. fW Rep. RUERV-KnODEL moore SLunri: Seattle, Portland Page 78 • March 14, 1955