Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1956)

TRADE ASSNS. STATE HEADS, NARTB MAY MEET ANNUALLY Successful three-day convocation of 43 state association presidents at NARTB Washington headquarters seen as precedent for making event an annual affair. PRECEDENT was set last week for an annual conference of state association presidents at NARTB Washington headquarters as representatives of 43 states held a three-day session that included formal talks and informal exchanges of ideas and problems. At the last session Tuesday afternoon, members of the group agreed the idea of the conference was sound. Some felt the conference could be of more value than an industry convention, with opportunity to fit state and local problems into the national scene. Discussion subjects covered a wide range, running from legislative topics to such local matters as advertising rates, sports and taxes. NARTB President Harold E. Fellows recalled the conference idea had resulted from three years of planning. State presidents have met informally at luncheons during NARTB conventions but never before had assembled for a formal meeting. FCC Chairman George C. McConnaughey cautioned that over-commercialization may lead to public revulsion and government action (see story page 28). Case histories of state and local issues were CASE histories of legal, sports and freedom of information developments were reported by five state presidents at NARTB's first roundup of association heads. Speakers were (I to r): Walter J. Teich, KOEL Oelwein, la.; J. Elroy McCaw, KTVW (TV) Tacoma, Wash.; Paul J. Miller, WWVA Wheeling, W. Va.; Robert Wells, KIUL Garden City, Kan., and J. Maxim Ryder, WBRY Waterbury, Conn. presented by five state presidents. Walter J. Teich. WOEL Oelwein, Iowa, discussed developments in the tax situation. J. Maxim Ryder. WBRY Waterbury. Conn., observed that Kentucky had just become the 37th state to enact libel protection and reviewed progress of legislation around the nation. J. Elroy McCaw, KTVW (TV) Tacoma. Wash., discussed legislation designed to control advertising of alcoholic beverages. Paul J. Miller, WWVA Wheeling. W. Va.. outlined progress made in obtaining access to public and court proceed WROW-TV Albany WAAM Baltimore WBEN-TV Buffalo WJRT Flint WFMY-TV Greensboro WTPA Harrisburg WDAF-TV Kansas City WHAS-TV Louisville WTMJ-TV Milwaukee WMTW Mt. Washington WRVA-TV Richmond WSYR-TV Syracuse Harrington, Righter and Parsons, Inc. The only exclusive TV national representative Neiu York Chicago San Francisco Atlanta ings on a level with other media. Local sports matters were reviewed by Robert Wells, KIUL Garden City, Kan. The three-day conference opened Monday with an all-day open house and informal group meetings at NARTB headquarters. State presidents conferred with NARTB staff executives and with each other. Formal programming was held Tuesday, followed by an evening reception and dinner attended by media and government guests. Wednesday noon the delegates attended the annual Voice of Democracy awards luncheon at which the four national high school winners were presented scholarship checks and tv sets. President Fellows voiced confidence the state association roundup would be an annual event. He said the goal of the meeting was "a better estate for broadcasting and thus a better broadcasting service for the American people." Chairman McConnaughey, speaking at the Luesday luncheon, after warning of the danger of over-commercialization practices, urged broadcasters to follow carefully the FCC's public notice governing political campaign practices under Sec. 315 of the Communications Act. Commenting on access of radio-tv to court trials and legislative proceedings, he said he was observing industry progress with interest but was concerned about the danger of distracting trial participants and making false heroes out of criminals. With new techniques, he said broadcast media should gain increasing acceptance as a means of informing the public directly. Chairman McConnaughey said the broadcasting industry has grown to its present stature as a result of voluntary cooperation through the free enterprise system. Howard H. Bell, NARTB assistant to the president, said the association provides a clearing house for exchange of information and experience. He added that it helps state broadcasters in such matters as occupational and gross receipts taxes; access to court and public proceedings; alcoholic beverage legislation, political broadcasting and libel. He described the association's publication, State Side, and called on states to keep NARTB posted on local developments. Finally, he told how states and the association can work together in meeting common problems. Joseph M. Sitrick, NARTB publicity-infor Page 70 • February 27, 1956 Broadcasting Telecasting