Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1963)

Sen. Magnuson (left) and Mr. Cox A two-bagger nomination to FCC JFK nominates Cox to part, full terms President Kennedy last week nominated FCC Broadcast Bureau Chief Kenneth A. Cox to fill both the unexpired term on the FCC to be vacated by T.A.M. Craven and the succeeding seven-year term. Earlier the President had indicated only that he intended to submit Mr. Cox's name to fill the five-month period left in the term of Commissioner Craven, who reaches the maximum retirement age of 70 Jan. 31. Sen. Warren G. Magnuson, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, said Jan. 10 he hoped the President would send Mr. Cox's nomination to the Senate for both the short and long terms — as he had FCC Chairman Newton N. Minow's. A White House aide indicated the President might follow that course when Mr. Cox's name was announced late last year. Mr. Kennedy nominated Chairman Minow in a similar way almost two years ago. The Senate approved Mr. Minow's nomination in March 1961 for both a four-month period, which remained from an expired interim appointment then held by his predecessor, and a regular term of seven years. A filibuster on Senate rules which held up organizing activities last week also prevented scheduling of a hearing on Mr. Cox's nomination. House Democrats get committee assignments Organization of congressional committees proceeded on schedule in the House last week but a filibuster on rules in the Senate held up all efforts to assign senators to committees. Freshman Rep. Lionel Van Deerlin (D-Calif.), a former radio and television news director (KOGO-AM-FMTV San Diego, XETV [TV] Tijuana) and newspaperman, was named to the House Commerce Committee, which handles most legislation affecting broadcasting. New Rep. Gillis W. Long (DLa.) and Rep. W. R. Hull Jr. (D-Mo.) also were named to the committee. The new members filled two committee vacancies left by the defeat of former Illinois Democrat Peter Mack and the retirement of Morgan M. Moulder, former Missouri Democrat (Broadcasting, Nov. 12, 1962). Rep. Oren Harris (D-Ark.) remained chairman. House Republicans had not announced committee assignments by Friday (Jan. 18). The House Committee on Science and Astronautics, which is in part responsible for legislation in space communications, added seven Democrats: Reps. Thomas N. Downing of Virginia, Joe D. Waggoner Jr. of Louisiana, Edward J. Patten of New Jersey, Richard H. Fulton of Tennessee, Don Fuqua of Florida, Neil Staebler of Michigan and Carl Albert of Oklahoma, who took his first committee assignment since he was named majority leader in 1962. Rep. George P. Miller (D-Calif.) continues as chairman. FCC orders hearing on am economic issue Whether Wauchula, Fla. (population, 3,411), can support more than one am station is among the questions to be determined at a hearing ordered by the FCC last week. The commission acted thus on an application by Georgia M. and Jerald Brush for a daytime am station on 1600 kc at 500 w after WAUC Wauchula opposed the grant. WAUC held that revenue in the town is not adequate to support two am stations and that the public interest would suffer as a result of the impair ment to both stations. The FCC feels the courts have held that it must hold a hearing to consider such charges. Initial decision would grant am station to Fait An application by J. B. Fait Jr. for a new am station in Sheffield, Ala., moved a step closer to realization last week when FCC Hearing Examiner Jay Kyle issued a supplemental initial decision advocating the grant. Application of Mr. Fait, who already has controlling interest in three am's in Alabama, was denied in both 1961 and 1962 in favor of a competing application by Iralee W. Benns. After two reconsiderations by the commission Mrs. Benns withdrew her application because the FCC had granted a permit for a second station which would serve the Sheffield area. She also cited Sheffield's economy, which she felt would not support a second station. Mr. Kyle, in his report, said that since Mrs. Benns had withdrawn, the BROADCASTING, January 21, 1963 (GOVERNMENT) 57