Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1956)

PEOPLE at deadline COMMITTEE ADOPTS TALL TOWER PACT TALL TOWER tv applicants are going to have another hurdle to leap, following unanimous acceptance Friday of revised agreement drawn by Joint Industry-Government Tall Structures Committee last fall [B»T, Oct. 3, 1955]. Agreement, which spells out policy regarding tall towers, contains recommendations that FCC from now on put burden of proof on applicants as to why they cannot locate antenna more than 500 ft. high in area already used for that purpose or on existing tower. Antenna farm idea will be subject of FCC rulemaking in neaj future, it was understood. Also accepted is idea that Commission should have authority over receiving antennas. This will require Congressional legislation, it is understood. Policy paper, which received tentative approval last fall, was accepted with slight revisions by all elements of JIGTSC. These included: FCC Comr. Robert E. Lee and CAA Administrator Charles Lowen, as co-chairmen, House Committee Reports Out $7.8 Million FCC Budget HOUSE Appropriations Committee Friday reported out Independent Offices Appropriation Bill for fiscal 1957 providing $7.8 million for FCC for fiscal 1957— $50,000 less than Budget Bureau estimate for 1957 (see story page 78). Increase of $930,000 over $6,870,000 appropriated for 1956 is for hiring 70 additional employes to reduce radio-tv and special services backlogs, according to report of subcommittee headed by Rep. Albert Thomas (D-Tex.). Committee-approved budget estimate of $141,000 to continue FCC's study of radio-tv network broadcasting, expected to be complete by June 30, 1957. Amount compares to initial $80,000 for study in fiscal 1956. At least part of $50,000 reduction from budget estimate is to eliminate funds for administrative work in regional offices, applying savings "to assist in other work." On backlogs, committee said it is anxious to reduce them and have FCC become current and that it doesn't want applicants to wait long periods through no fault of their own. Hollywood AFM Rebels Win Control of Club ANTI-PETRILLO faction in Hollywood AFM Local 47 smashed loyalists in all day election Thursday to decide control of $1.5 million club house there, it was disclosed early Friday. Through write-ins on ballot containing only proPetrillo names, rebel group headed by Cecil Read (early story page 44) won two to one in record vote for officers of Musicians Club, property owner. Both Mr. Read and Local 47 President John te Groen have telegrams from AFM President James Petrillo affirming Mr. te Groen is still head of local despite "suspension" voted earlier in week by local membership. Mr. Read declared he is still "acting president" as voted by membership, plans to go ahead with March 12 general meeting to formally oust proPetrillo officers despite failure Thursday to get board quorum when loyalists walked out. and representatives of broadcasting, aviation, and government agencies. Broadcasters were represented by John R. Evans, FCC; Robert E. L. Kennedy, Assn. of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers, and A. Prose Walker, NARTB. Agreement was described by broadcast representatives as best possible compromise to soften Air Force opposition to tall tv towers. At one point last year, Air Force members of airspace panel officially asked government policy be established prohibiting construction of any tv tower more than 1,000 ft. above ground. This kicked off establishment of JIGTSC and Friday's action resulted from more than a year's consultations. It is also believed that Friday's action will lessen military advocacy of legislation to put a ceiling on tv tower heights. Pending in Congress are two bills (HJ Res 138-139), introduced by Reps. Oren Harris (DArk.) and Carl Hinshaw (R-Calif.), proposing enactment of these limitations. Philip Morris Will Keep Broadcast Budget in Spot PHILIP MORRIS Inc. (Philip Morris, Marlboro and Parliament cigarettes, other tobacco products) plans this year to continue to enlarge upon "flexible" advertising policy of concentrating on tv and radio spots, newspapers and magazines, according to annual report. Company year ago switched radio-tv use from network to spot. PM's consolidated net sales for 1955 totaled $283,218,646, about $500,000 more than 1954. Net income was approximately $1 1.5 million, up about $150,000; earnings per common share, $3.63, increase of 10 cents. Bond Issues Initial Decisions In Elmira, Redding Tv Cases INITIAL DECISIONS recommending tv grants in Elmira, N. Y., and Redding, Calif., issued Friday by FCC Hearing Examiner J. D. Bond. Mr. Bond recommended Central New York Broadcasting Corp. (ch. 3 WSYR-TV Syracuse, N. Y.) for Elmira ch. 18, which will be used initially as satellite of WSYR-TV. Central New York became lone applicant following withdrawal of Triangle Publications Inc. [B*T, Nov. 28, 1955]. In Redding, Mr. Bond recommended Shasta Telecasters (local businessmen) for ch. 7. Here, too, prospective grantee was unopposed. Other applicant, Sacramento Broadcasters Inc. (KXOA), withdrew [B«T, Feb. 13]. Wash. Tv Boosters Sought JUMPING GUN on tv translator service, two applications were filed with FCC Friday seeking booster operations at Manson, Wash. Manson Community Tv Co. asks for two 15w stations, chs. 70 and 76, to rebroadcast to Manson area residents signals of Spokane's ch. 2 KREM-TV and ch. 6 KHQ-TV. Submitted with applications were documents from KREMTV and KHQ-TV granting permission to retransmit their signals. KHQ-TV agreement included cancellation clause, stipulated that full, unaltered schedule must be carried. ROBERT J. WALLACE and PHILIP R. WARNER, account supervisors, Benton & Bowles, N. Y., elected vice presidents. Mr. Wallace has been with agency for year and before that was account executive for Biow Co. Mr. Warner, with agency since 1950, formerly was vice president at Needham & Grohmann. SOL HUROK, NBC consultant and concert stage star manager, currently in Europe searching for additional attractions to be shown on future network shows. Mr. Hurok also will visit Moscow to discuss possibilities of wide cultural exchange between U. S. and U. S. S. R. JACK W. MINOR, sales manager for Dodge Div. of Chrysler Corp., elevated to general sales manager for Dodge passenger automobiles and trucks. His successor as sales manager was not revealed. JOHN B. SOELL, formerly with H-R Television Inc., N. Y., station representative, to WISN-TV Milwaukee as director of tv. EMMETT C. McGAUGHEY, executive vice president in charge of Los Angeles office and west coast" operations, Erwin, Wasey & Co., elected to board of directors, it will be announced today (Mon.) by Howard D. Williams, agency president. Mr. McGaughey also appointed executive vice president of parent company and will continue to headquarter in Los Angeles. WILLIAM M. AMUNDSON, account executive and supervisor, appointed manager of St. Paul office, and ALEX G. PAPPAS, account executive, head of Dallas office for Ruthrauff & Ryan Inc. JAMES A. WALKER, also account executive, appointed vice president. Mr. Pappas succeeds JOHN C. SIMMONS, who resigned to become national advertising manager of Dr. Pepper Co. (see story page 41). Fresno Ch. 12 Stay Denied REQUEST for stay against FCC grant of Fresno, Calif., ch. 12 to KFRE that city denied Friday by U. S. Court of Appeals. Stay had been asked by ch. 47 KJEO (TV) Fresno and was argued Thursday before Circuit Judges Henry W. Edgerton. George Thomas Washington and Charles Fahy. Two weeks ago request for stay by KARM Fresno also was denied by same court [B»T, Feb. 27]. Arguing against stay was FCC Assistant General Counsel Richard A. Solomon and KFRE attorney Harold D. Cohen. KJEO attorney was Joseph Brenner. Balabans Ask Birmingham V APPLICATION filed with FCC Friday by Birmingham Tv Corp. (Harry and Elmer Balaban) seeking ch. 42 at Birmingham, Ala. Station plans effective radiated power of 16.52 kw visual, antenna 789.25 ft. above, average terrain. H. & E. Balaban Corp. (theatre interests) owns 50% of ch. 39 WTVO (TV) Rockford and 34% of ch. 20 WICS (TV) Springfield, both 111. Construction cost of Birmingham station estimated at $134,000; first year operation costs listed at $300,000; expected first year revenue, $350,000. WEDR Sold for $110,000 SALE of daytimer WEDR Birmingham, Ala. (on 1220 kc) by Magic City Broadcasting Co. to Edwin Estes for $110,000 announced Friday. Mr. Estes owns WMOZ Mobile, Ala. Sellers are J. L. Doss and John A. Thompson. Transaction handled by Blackburn-Hamilton Co., station brokers. Broadcasting • Telecasting March 5, 1956 • Page 9