NAB reports (Mar-Dec 1933)

The National Association of Broadcasters NATIONAL PRESS BUILDING * . . . . WASHINGTON, D. C. PHILIP G. LOUCKS, Managing Director NAB REPORTS * NRA * W' * ★ Vol. 1 No. 40 OCT. 28, 1933 Copyright, 1933, The National Association of Broadcasters wt u m* Mar ROPER EXPLAINS COMMUNICATIONS STUDY The Roper Committee on Communications, now studying wire, radio and cable regulations, is the outgrowth of the Transporta¬ tion Committee appointed by the President shortly after March 4, the Secretary of Commerce said this week. “In order to clarify some of the questions that have been raised within the last few days concerning our Committee on Commu¬ nications,” said Secretary Roper, “I want to state that this com¬ mittee was formed to continue studies which were begun in con¬ nection with the departmental reorganization work launched immediately after March 4. “The entire subject of transportation is divided into four divisions: land, water, air and communications. Studies relating to the first three divisions are being conducted by the Federal Co¬ ordinator of Transportation, Honorable Joseph B. Eastman, the authority for such being embodied in legislation enacted by the last session of Congress and approved by the President. “Immediately after March 4, a Transportation Committee was formed to study and advise in relation to departmental reorgani¬ zation plans. The Committee on Communications is an outgrowth of the Transportation Committee which is now simply coordinat¬ ing in an advisory capacity with Mr. Eastman. This leaves, therefore, for the full launching of this study the communications unit, and for this particular study an interdepartmental committee has been appointed consisting of: Hon. Daniel C. Roper, Secretary of Commerce; Dr. W. M. W. Splawn, Advisor, House Committee on Commerce; Dr. Irvin Stewart, Department of State; Lt. Com. E. M. Webster, Coast Guard, Retired, Treasury Department; Maj. Gen. Irving Carr, War Department; Capt. S. C, Hooper, Navy Department; Maj. Gen. C. McK. Saltzman, Commerce Department; Dr. J. H. Dellinger, Bureau of Standards; Herbert L. Pettey, Federal Radio Commission; Senator Dill of Washington; Representative Rayburn of Texas. “This committee is making a study of the subject of communi¬ cations with the primary view of working out a more definite in¬ terdepartmental arrangement in the interest of better service, more economically administered. In making this study it is conducting a survey of the field of communications, but no further directions regarding its w'ork have been given. As this study has just been initiated, it is not possible to say when it will be completed, but it is hoped that it may be in its final stages by the end of This calendar year. As the committee is at present concerned with interdepartmental problems, it is not possible at this time to define the scope of its further studies in order to anticipate in any way what the committee may recommend in its report to the President, through the Secretary of Commerce.” NRA CODE CONFERENCES CONTINUED There were no important developments during the week in con¬ nection W'ith the code of fair competition for the broadcasting industry although conferences which have been in progress for the past several weeks were continued. The principal point of difference now existing still revolves around the hours of work provisions as applied to technicians. Changes of a minor nature have been agreed upon and the general form has been altered somewhat to conform with the style ap¬ proved by the NRA. It has been agreed that the administration of the code shall be vested in a Code Authority to be appointed by the President of the United States during a temporary period of 90 days during which time this code authority shall recommend a permanent form of administration. CANADIAN RADIO OFFICIALS VISIT U. S. A delegation of Radio Officials of Canada visited Washington last week and conferred with officials of the Federal Radio Com¬ mission concerning an allocation plan for frequencies in the band IS 00 -6000 kc. COMMISSION DECIDES KYW CASE The Commission (Commissioner Hanley not participating), handed down its decision today in the so-called “1020 and 1160 kc. cases,” in which Kunsky-Trendle Broadcasting Corp., of Detroit, and IS other applicants were involved. These cases came on for hearing July 18, 1932, and on succeeding days much testimony on the entire group was taken before Examiner Elmer W. Pratt. The Examiner submitted his report on October 28, 1932, after Which many of the parties involved filed exceptions and requested oral arguments, and on March IS, 1933, oral argument was heard before the Commission en banc. The decisions follow: KYW — Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co., Chicago, III. — Granted CP for new 10-KW transmitter at a proposed loca¬ tion near Philadelphia, to be operated in accordance with the proposals contained in said application and the testimony produced at hearing in support thereof. Granted renewal of present license on a temporary basis authorizing the con¬ tinued operation of KYW at Chicago, pending the construc¬ tion of the new transmitter at Philadelphia. WXYZ — Kunsky-Trendle Broadcasting Corp., Detroit, Mich. — Denied application for new 10-KW station at Detroit, to operate on 1020 kc. Applicant proposed to abandon WXYZ if application for new station were granted. WJAS — Pittsburgh Radio Supply House, Pittsburgh, Pa. — Denied CP for increase in power from 1 KW to 5 KW, and a change in frequency from the regional channel, 1290 kc., to 820 kc.. a clear channel assigned to WHAS at Louisville, proposing that 1020 kc. be assigned to WHAS. WHAS — The CourierJournal and the Louisville Times Co., Louis¬ ville, Ky. — Granted renewal of license to continue operation on 820 kc. WFAN — Keystone Broadcasting Co., Philadelphia, Pa. — Denied CP for change in frequency from 610 kc. to 1020 kc., shar¬ ing with WIP, and increase in power from 500 watts to 5 KW. WIP — Gimbel Bros., Inc., Philadelphia, Pa. — Denied application for CP to change frequency from 610 kc. to 1020 kc., and increase in power from 500 watts to 5 KW. WCAU — Universal Broadcasting Co., Philadelphia, Pa. — Denied CP to change frequency from 1170 kc. to 1020 kc. WRAX — WRAX Broadcasting Co., Inc., Philadelphia, Pa. — Granted CP for modification of license to change frequency from 1020 kc. to 920 kc., a change in power assignment from 250 watts day and night to 250 watts night and 500 watts day, and change in operating time from daytime to sharing time with Station WPEN, Philadelphia. This change will result in improved service in the Philadelphia area. WPEN — Wm. Penn Broadcasting Co., Philadelphia, Pa. — Granted CP for modification of license to change frequency from 1500 kc. to 920 kc., to change power assignment from 100 watts night and 250 watts day to 250 watts night and 500 watts day, and to change hours of operation from unlimited time to part time, sharing with WRAX. This change will result in improved service in the Philadelphia area. WIBG — WIBG, Inc., Elkins Park, Pa. — Granted renewal of license and modification of license changing frequency from 930 kc. to 970 kc., and increasing power from 25 watts to 100 watts. Page 205