NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1944)

1760 N STREET, N. W. WASHINGTON 6, D. C. Vol. 12, No. 13, March 31, 1944 SELECTIVE SERVICE DEVELOPMENTS Recent developments in the selective service situation have been carefully followed by NAB. Close liaison has been established with the Federal Communications Commis¬ sion. On Thursday (30) Commissioner E. K. Jett, Chair¬ man, Coordinating Committee, Board of War Communica¬ tions, appeared before the Inter-Agency Committee on Occupational Deferments headed by Paul V. McNutt and spoke on the need for deferments for men in critical occu¬ pations in the common carrier communications industry. While Mr. Jett was speaking with specific respect to com¬ mon carrier communications the following paragraphs from his introduction are equally applicable to broadcast¬ ing and other communications services: “Communications need and must have effective representation in the makingof policy on draft deferment for employees in the industry. * * * Men in the critical occupations are performing operations and vital maintenance work without which the service would depreciate rapidly and shortly would break down completely.” Speaking with specific reference to the international communications industry, Commissioner Jett said, “The Board of War Communications urges that deferments of all men in critical occupations in the international, as well as domestic communications industry, be considered entirely upon the basis of the work each man performs. Under such procedures as may be set up to administer this prob¬ lem, the facts concerning the occupational necessity of the individual can be examined thoroughly. The Board feels most strongly that this procedure will yield results most favorable for the prosecution of the war.” Mr. Jett gave some convincing figures with reference to the total number of employees engaged in the common carrier communications industry and the numbers that will be affected by any change in the critical occupation list. He spoke of the training programs which have been instituted and of the results which they had produced. With respect to the latter he observed that they have not yielded an adequate number of workers. The experience of the common carrier communications industry in the field of worker training applies equally to radio broad¬ casting. In conclusion Commissioner Jett said, “Lastly, the BWC urges most strongly that whatever consideration is given to men under 26 should not weaken the protection of men over 26 in these critical occupations. To do so would actually be disastrous.” Referring to the men in the age group 26 through 37 who are engaged in critical occupa¬ tions in the common carrier communications field, he said: “These men by virtue of their greater experience and age hold the most responsible positions in the technical branches of the industry and in an absolute sense, they are irreplaceable. To repeat, the Board takes the position that the war effort will best be served if deferments of men in critical occupations * * * are handled on an indi¬ vidual basis. The primary consideration should be the job the man does and the situation of the company and the community where he is employed.” In his closing paragraph Mr. Jett said, “The situation is equally important with respect to many of the non¬ common carrier services including broadcasting, both domestic and international, aviation, police, maritime, etc. Indeed, there are about 50 different radio, wire and cable services to be considered. However, due to the shortage of time we have been unable to get complete data for services other than those I have already discussed. The Board of War Communications urges that all of them be given full and sympathetic consideration in adopting policy with respect to deferments in critical occupations.” Following the above meeting which was held in the morning Commissioner Jett was to present to the Board of War Communications information with respect to the radio broadcasting industry and it is expected that BWC will recommend representations before the War Manpower Commission with respect to necessary men in radio stations. It was made quite elear by Chairman Paul V. McNutt that his committee is now dealing only with the question of occupational deferment with respect to men in the age group 18 through 25. Some State Selective Service Direc¬ tors, as well as members of local and appeals boards, have apparently misinterpreted the recent statement of Presi¬ dent Roosevelt and the releases from national Selective Service headquarters, in which it was stated that after March 14 occupational deferment would be granted only upon specific recommendation of the State Selective Service Director. It was specifically stated in the release from national Selective Service headquarters that this policy applies only to men in the age group 18 through 25 (See NAB Selective Service Handbook Supplement No. 18). Nevertheless, some statements have been made that imply that the policy is applicable to all occupational deferments in the broad¬ casting industry. Selective Service officials state that radio broadcasting has not been removed from the list of essential industries and that the occupations defined as necessary men still prevail with respect to men 26 to 38. Every effort should be made to bring this matter to the attention of local and appeal boards whenever the question arises. WLB TO CONSIDER PETRILLO MATTER The War Labor Board has tentatively set Friday, April 7, for the hearing of the Report and Recommendations of its Panel with respect to the recording ban. While there is some possibility that one or the other of the parties will request a continuance, or the Board may itself determine upon a later time, it is confidently felt that the hearing will be held on that day. Representatives of the recording manufacturers and the A. F. of M. have filed briefs and will, it is understood, present oral argu¬ ment. March 31, 1944 — 95