Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1941)

8 Motion Picture Daily Wednesday, May 14, 1941 Fly, Miller in Exchange as NAB Meets F.C.C. Facing Senate Probe On Net Rules Washington, May 13. — Postponement of application of the FCC's new network regulations until the Senate Interstate Commerce Committee can make a thorough investigation of the recent chain broadcasting report was proposed today in a resolution introduced in Congress by Senator Wallace White of Maine. Senator White's resolution would have the committee, of which he is a member, not only study the report itself, but the authority of the commission to issue the regulations and the whole regulatory setup of the FCC. Senator White pointed out that the Commission is an administrative agency with certain specified powers and duties. Its new regulations have been alleged to constitute an attempt on its part to exercise supervisory control of programs, business management and policies of the networks and individual stations, and that there is question of their legality because of the Supreme Court decision in the Sanders Brothers case, which construed the Communications Act as vesting no such supervisory power in the commission. Broad Investigation The committee, which could act through a sub-committee, would be given a broad program for investigation, including the probable effects of the proposed regulations on the broadcasting industry and, in particular, on the networks and their licensees as well as independent stations ; the effect on the quality of programs, and whether they will contribute to Government ownership or strict regulation as a public utility. The committee also would consider whether the proposed regulations are an attempt on the part of the Commission to declare the existence of a monopoly. To_ enable the committee to make an intelligent study, the Commission would be directed to submit to it the full record and all documents, letters and other papers relating to the chain investigation, and to hold up application of the rules for the period of the committee inquiry and 60 days thereafter. The committee would be authorized to spend up to $5,000 on the probe, to be taken from the contingent funds. Expert Quiz Birthday "Information, Please," heard on NBC-Red Fridays at 8:30 P.M., will celebrate its third birthday May 23. For the occasion, Clifton Fadiman, who usually asks all the questions, will turn expert while Deems Taylor will be quizmaster. Radio Conjures Up Control 'Bogey' to Hide Trust: Fly (Continued from pane 1) is the best protection against monopoly control. He declared that the FCC had specifically rejected day-to-day control over stations and networks but said that the way to decentralize power was to return it to the individual station licensees. Neville Miller denied Fly's charges that the "bogey man of Government operation" was being used to divert attention from monopoly charges. "May it not also be said that those who favor Government operation consistently conjure up bogey men of monopoly to divert attention?" he asked, bringing forth vigorous applause from the several hundred assembled broadcasters. Forecasts Hot Discussion Miller predicted that tomorrow's meeting at which Mark Ethridge, general manager of the Louisville Courier-Journal, will speak, will be marked by heated discussion of the FCC report. Fly will also take part in these discussions. "I also would like to say," Miller continued to another burst of applause, "that in patriotism I think we in the broadcasting industry yield to no Independents Decide To Fight FCC Report St. Louis, May 13.— The Independent Radio Network Affiliates today voted unanimously to fight the FCC monopoly report as "impairing services rendered to the public." Officers of the organization were authorized to take whatever steps they believe necessary. one." He said he thought that the industry was rendering a service to the FCC by pointing out mistakes made in solving problems of the industry. Vice-President Henry A. Wallace, addressing the broadcasters from Washington, said that home defense is as important as military defense. "The home front," he declared, "includes every kind of service, and high on the list is the service of entertainment, information and inspiration that is provided by the radio." He said that radio must go on disseminating unbiased news and help the defense program by describing and encouraging the tasks which have to be undertaken. Women's Committee Makes Air Awards Limiting its consideration this year to programs most effectively serving the cause of democracy, the Women's National Radio Committee yesterday made its annual awards at a luncheon at the Hotel Astor. Among forums, the "Chicago Round Table" (NBC) was given first prize; "America's Town Meeting of the Air" (NBC) was second; and "People's Platform" (CBS) and "American Forum of the Air" (MBS) were also cited. Swing Best Analyst Raymond Gram Swing (MBS) was voted the best news analyst, followed by H. V. Kaltenborn (NBC). "Headlines and Bylines" (CBS) took first prize among network edu cational programs. "School of the Air of the Americas" (CBS) was second. "Americana Quiz" (WMCA) was honored among the group for educational programs by local stations. In the miscellaneous classification, "I'm an American" (NBC) won first prize. Medal to Mrs. Roosevelt Medals were awarded to Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Mrs. J. Borden Harriman, Raymond Massey and Lily Pons for significant contributions to the cause of democracy. Mme. Yolanda Mero-Irion, W.N.R.C. chairman and founder, made the awards. Speakers included Eve Curie, representing the Free France movement; David Sarnoff , RCA president ; William S. Paley, CBS president; John Gunther, NBC commentator; Dr. Antonio Gonzales, and Mrs. Lytle Hull, chairman of the Radio Listeners Guild. Roosevelt Letter to MBS on FCC Not Endorsement, Early Tells NAB Washington, May 13 — President Roosevelt's letter to Mutual officials on the FCC monopoly report should not have been interpreted as an endorsement, Stephen T. Early, White House secretary, declared today. Early sent a telegram to Presidential Administrative Assistant Lowell Mellet, who is attending the National Association of Broadcasters convention in St. Louis, asking the latter to inform the convention that the President had made no statement of policy on the report. Early explained he had been informed a letter written to Mutual officials had been misconstrued as a statement of White House views when it was merely a "polite acknowledgement" of a telegram received. He expressed regret that the letter was being used as a Presidential statement, and said it merely expressed the President's belief that a "just and equitable solution" would be found for the problems dealt with in the report. WOR, WGN Don Lee, Quit Broadcasters m St. Louis, May 13.— WOk, WGN and the Don Lee Broadcasting System of Hollywood resigned from the National Association of Broadcasters today. WOR is owned and operated by the Bamberger Broadcasting Service, Inc., and WGN, Inc., is the Chicago Tribune station. The three are principal stockholders of Mutual Broadcasting System. The resignation of these three powerful units of the radio world is the first defection since the organization of the NAB, and results from the radio-Ascap war. Alfred J. McCosker, president of WOR and chairman of Mutual, gave the reasons for resigning in a letter to Neville Miller, NAB head, and in which he stated: "It is entirely clear that your association is no longer representative Ethridge Resigns F.D.R. Appointment St. Louis, May 13.— Declaring that an open fight with the FCC over the latter's monopoly report seemed to be the only alternative, Mark Ethridge is reported as resigning his special appointment by President Roosevelt to study the concentration of control in radio. of the entire industry and that you are taking a position in various matters adverse to our interests and in favor of those of others. For these reasons we hereby tender our resignation from your association." E. M. Antrim signed for WGN and L. Allen Weiss for the Don Lee System. The break with NAB came after the NAB Board had given Miller a vote of confidence and renewed his contract until July, 1944. Twenty-four board members voted in favor of the resolution but Fred Weber, Mutual general manager, dissented. The resolution also approved all actions of Miller and the NAB executive committee in connection with the FCC monopoly report and the music situation. AGVA Unit to Elect Philadf.lphia, May 13. — The local AGV A chapter will hold its election for officers and board of directors at a meeting Mav 21 at the Commodore Hotel. Lois Andrews Replaced Hollywood, May 13. — Columbia has replaced Lois Andrews (Mrs. George Jessel) by Joan Woodbury in "Girls from Panama."