Broadcasting Telecasting (Apr-Jun 1959)

GOVERNMENT SUPER FCC CONCEPT CONSIDERED House committee hears 13 man-panel agree it's a sorry spectrum, but break on possible formation of new Federal Spectrum Authority The creation of a super FCC — to oversee both government and non-government radio frequencies — loomed last week as a possible result of Congress' interest in the radio spectrum. A House subcommittee heard 13 eminent government and industry representatives discuss the state of the radio spectrum and what should be done about it. All agreed that the spectrum was in a bad way. But they divided on what should be done. One group — including FCC Chairman John C. Doerfer, Electronic Industries Assn.'s D.R. Hull and H. Leslie Hoffman and Federal Aviation Agency's E.R. Quesada — emphatically urged that something like a Federal Spectrum Authority be established. The FSA would assert jurisdiction over the entire radio spectrum. It would divide the electronic wavelengths between government and non-government users. It would be in a position to make final decisions when conflicts arose between government and civilian users. It would, in a word, be the spectrum czar and bring to an end the amorphous dual jurisdiction exercised by the President and the FCC established in 1934 in the Communications Act. It was implied that the FCC would be retained to handle civilian assignments and an organization established to supervise government assignments in the same way. Some Say Premature • A majority of other panelists tabbed as premature the super-FCC recommendation. A large group, including Victor E. Cooley, chairman of last year's Presidential Advisory Committee on Telecommunications; Drs. Frank Kear and Irvin Stewart, members of that committee; Dr. William L. Everitt, U. of Illinois dean of engineering and Harold R. Huntley, AT&T chief engineer, urged the creation of a governing body or single administrator to exercise jurisdiction over the government portion of the spectrum. This was also the position taken by FCC Comr. Robert T. Bartley, who endorsed Rep. Harris' bill which would create a Presidential board. Two broadcasting spokesmen, Lester W. Lindow, executive director, Assn. of Maximum Service Telecasters, and Harold E. Fellows, NAB, called for a complete Congressional investigation of the spectrum before any move is made i toward establishing or revising the organization of the spectrum's manage j ment. They received no support from any other members of the panel. In fact, some panelists maintained that another study, before the management organization was established, would be a waste of time. Both Leo A. Hoegh, director of the Office of Civil & Defense Mobiliza j tion, and Paul Goldsborough, former communications aide to the Secretary 1 or Defense, urged the creation of a Presidential commission to study the matter further. The hearing was highlighted by General Quesada's frank remark that it is only natural for users to "hoard" frequencies, and by Mr. Lindow's warning that the public would not stand for the i loss of any tv channels. Rep. Oren Harris (D-Ark.), chairman of the parent House Commerce Com ' mittee, presided at the subcommittee's hearings. More or less in regular attendance at the two-day hearing were five members of the communications and power subcommittee. They were: Reps. John James Flynt Jr. (D-Ga.), John E. Moss (D-Calif.), William L. , Springer (R-I1L), J. Arthur Younger (R-Calif.) and William H. Avery (RKan.) At the end of the two day-long sessions, the committee asked for addition ! al material from members of the panel and promised that speedy consideration would be given to the problem. Bills Pending • Pending before the subcommittee are three bills dealing with the administration of the radio spectrum. These are: • H.J.Res. 292. This bill was introduced by Rep. William G. Bray (R-Ind.) and calls for an investigation of the government use of the spectrum by a five-man commission to be appointed by the President (two members), Vice President, Speaker of the House and the chairman of the FCC. • H.J.Res. 331. This bill, introduced by Mr. Harris at the request of the Office of Civilian & Defense Mobilization, calls for the establishment of a five-member commission appointed by the President to investigate the management of the radio spectrum, calling for a report in one year. • H.R. 7057. This bill introduced by Mr. Harris on request calls for the es BROADCASTING, June 15, 1959