NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1948)

the NAB president reiterated several times that he had no desire to recommend legislation or legislative re¬ vision of the Taft-Hartley Act, until judicial interpre¬ tations of the Act and the Lea Act had clarified both considerably. A series of questions by Rep. Barden brought out the fact that the NAB president’s appointments to the bench and to governmental positions prior to his Court of Appeals service had been made by the late President Roosevelt. Mr. Barden made the point that Judge Miller could not be accused of anti-labor bias. In his formal statement, Judge Miller denied the Petrillo contention of technological unemployment. The present situation. Judge Miller said, provides a “peculiar case study of a concentrated, nationwide monopoly over a supply of labor.’’ This monopoly is maintained by Mr. Petrillo, the broadcasting executive asserted, through release of “disruptive ultimatums— disruptive both to unions and industry.” Tracing the developments of negotiation between broadcasters and the union leader, and revealing to the committee the present status of employment of pro¬ fessional musicians. Judge Miller summarized; “The cold facts would seem to indicate that, either misunderstanding, or refusing to understand, the logic of economic history, Mr. Petrillo has not only bitten the hand which feeds musicians, but actually has tiled to bite off the whole arm.” Disproportionate Vote. Outlining the present or¬ ganization of the AFM, Judge Miller pointed out that the three largest union chapters — in New York, Chi¬ cago and Los Angeles — from which bioadcasteis diaw most of their professional musical talent have votes in policy matters which do not reflect their member¬ ship strength. “The AFM has slightly more than 700 locals, many of which have no more than 10 or 15 members. No matter how small a local is, it is privileged to cast one vote ; no matter how large a union is ... it may cast no more than ten votes,” Judge Miller observed. He added that the three largest locals, with a mem¬ bership comprising one fourth of the AFM total, have slightly more than two percent of the voting strength. “Despite his (Petrillo’s) statement that he is ‘help¬ ing the boys,’ ” Judge Miller stated, “there is plenty of evidence that he is hurting the real professional musicians and is likely to hurt them a great deal more although, while so doing, he will try to convince them that economic forces are against them.” The NAB president cited hearings before Congres¬ sional committees and labor agency boards, quoting Mr. Petrillo himself, in developing his point that un¬ employment among musicians does not exist today, and that the technological advances deplored by the AFM leader actually had created greater employment. Radio provides gilt-edge employment for musicians, the broadcasting leader emphasized. Noting statistics taken from the records of the Federal Communications Commission, he revealed that the average salary of full-time staff musicians in 1947 was $86.95 per week for a maximum work week of approximately 25 hours. During the same period, he said, staff musicians w'orking for the national networks received an average pay check of $139.43 for a work week approximating IN THE OFFING Program Executive Com¬ mittee Jan. 26 Jan. 27 Statler Hotel Washington, D. C. Small Market Stations Ex¬ ecutive Committee Jan. 26 Jan. 27 NAB Board Room Washington, D. C. Joint Meeting, Program and Public Relations Executive Committees Jan. 23 NAB Board Room Washington, D. C. Public Relations Executive Committee Jan. 29 NAB Board Room Washington, D. C. Educational Standards Committee Feb. 3 Feb. 4 Washington, D. C. NAB Board Room Employee-Employer Rela¬ tions Executive Comm. Feb. 9 Washington, D. C. Board International Ad¬ visory Committee Feb. 9 Feb. 10 Feb. 11 Washington, D. C. Board of Directors Feb. 24 Feb. 25 Feb. 26 The Homestead Hot Springs, Va. 20 hours. These figures, he pointed out, were based on a study made in February, 1947. Four Grievances. Explaining that other industry witnesses scheduled to be heard following his appear¬ ance would deal with various industry grievances. Judge Miller outlined the latter briefly as: Mr. Petrillo’s edict that there will be no more records made. (Judge Miller emphasized that, by this action, the labor leader had abandoned juris¬ diction in this matter. ) Mr. Petrillo’s edict against the use of his members for musical performances by television and in the production of sound film for television purposes. Mr. Petrillo’s insistence that music heard on AM broadcasting stations could not be duplicated simul¬ taneously on FM stations. Mr. Miller charged that this edict was holding up the development of a new broadcasting art. Mr. Petrillo’s edict against the broadcast of live music over networks made up exclusively of FM stations. He explained that the AFM leader would continue negotiations with the four national networks — the American Broadcasting Company, Columbia Broadcast¬ ing System, Mutual Broadcasting System and National Broadcasting Company. The network contracts with the AFM expire Jan. 31st. “Perhaps by the time Mr. Petrillo appears before you . . . we will know whether — at long last — he will bargain collectively and whether, finally, he will abide by the law of the land,” the NAB president said. On Wednesday (14), the hearing’s second day, testi¬ mony was opened by Bond Geddes, RMA executive vice president. Mr. Geddes outlined the serious effects of the Petrillo ban on companies making radios, record (Continued on next page) JANUARY 19, 1948-45