NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1948)

Routing: Memorandum With Suggestions for Revision Of S. 1333 Is Forwarded to Senator White Industry Testimony on Petrillo Completed; House Hears Music Czar Express Optimism Emphasizing that supervisory control of radio pro¬ gram content by the FCC would return radio and the press to the status of England’s “licensed press” of the 17th century, Justin Miller, president of the NAB, has submitted to U. S. Senator Wallace H. White, Jr. (R-Me.) a list of recommended changes in the proposed White Bill, S. 1333, as revised. Responding to a request from Senator White for assistance from broadcasters in revising the bill. Judge Miller sent to the bill’s author a detailed analysis of the Committee Print of Dec. 10, 1947, which was subject to further revision before presentation to the full Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee. Judge Miller’s letter expressed appreciation that Senator White had asked suggestions, and said that a “representative cross-section” of the industry and the networks had been called together to discuss the measure. Speaking of the suggestions on freedom of program content from supervision, the letter said: “I say this , . . against a background of many years of personal admiration of you, and with very real perplexity that (Continued on page 6^.) On OnAide Final plans, including a visit to President Tru¬ man, have been made for the reception of four “Voice of Democracy” contest winners in Wash¬ ington. (p. 69) To implement a bilateral international agreement, the FCC has reshuffled television channels in a 250mile wide strip on the Canadian border, (p. 69) The Radio Ownership Sub-Committee of BMB has announced that family figures as of January are expected to become available shortly, (p. 70) A handbook on the writing and editing of radio news by Arthur Baskett Moss has been published by Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, (p. 69) On its own motion, the FCC has waived Section 3.406 of its Rules for all stations participating in the March of Dimes program Jan. 30. (p. 72) With testimony by four network executives, a sta¬ tion manager, James C. Petrillo and his general counsel, Milton Diamond, and a proposal to amend the copy¬ right law, the House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor last week brought to a close its hearing on possible revisions of the Taft-Hartley Act or other legislation to meet complaints against the AFM president. Beginning on Monday (19) with representatives of the four nationwide networks and Harry Bannister, general manager of WWJ and its EM and TV stations in Detroit, the week’s sessions recessed on Tuesday (20), and resumed on Wednesday (21) with the ap¬ pearance of Petrillo before the battery of microphones, television cameras and blazing lights. The Monday session completed the industry presen¬ tation invited by Committee Chairman Fred A. Hart¬ ley (R-N. J.), when Mr. Bannister’s formal statement, given without benefit of script, closed the afternoon’s work. Network testimony had already, in the morning and early afternoon, brought out these high points : ^ Frank E. Mullen, NBC executive vice-president: “Until the contracts expire, we’re precluded from ( Continued on page 65 ) Lea Act Author and NAB President Comment On the Acquittal of Petrillo in Chicago Case Calling the acquittal of James C. Petrillo by Judge LaBuy’s District Court in Chicago, on charges of vio¬ lation of the Lea Act, “unwarranted” and reminiscent of the Scottish law’s “not proven” vei’dict, statements were published last week by Rep. Clarence F. Lea (D-Calif.) and Justin Miller, president of the NAB. Rep. Lea’s statement said : “In my judgment the verdict of acquittal given to Petrillo by a Chicago Court was unwarranted. I feel that a similar prosecution in an average district court of the country would have resulted in con¬ viction. “The demand of the defendant on the broadcaster in that case was for the employment of persons who were not needed to perform actual work. “Prior to the trial, Petrillo published to the world that he had deliberately violated the law to test the constitutionality of the Act. That evidence was in the record of the case. Notwithstanding that, the (Continued on next page) JANUARY 26, 1948-63