NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1948)

be an enterprise peculiarity related to the practice of wagering on races, such as ‘tip sheets.’ . . . Stating that these were not all of the factors which are to be taken into account, the opinion continued: “But preoccupation with the thrill of the race or the risk of the wager must not obscure the fact that the judgment which the Commission must make is one relating to overall program service. . . . But a judg¬ ment of that character must be reached with care and circumspectness, for many entirely legal activities may be, in a manner entirely beyond the control of those who present them, subverted by others to illegal ends. The intent or design to assist the carrying on of illegal activities must therefore be reasonably evi¬ dent. It is, however, clear that the mere absence of illegality or usefulness for illegal ends cannot alone be the standard by which a license is to be guided. . . .” Applying these factors, the Commission concluded that since WWDC’s information is obtained from I'egular news service, the broadcasts do not deal ex¬ clusively with horses, the information is not presented with urgency or detail, only the results and the prices are announced, there is a 10 to 15-minute inteiwal between the running of the race and the announce¬ ments, and the sponsors are reputable people, the renewal should be granted. In the WWDC case. Commissioner Walker held that horse race results programs are not in the public interest. Commissioner Jones, in a separate opinion, concurred in the renewal, but added that nothing more was required than a simple statement that broad¬ casts of race results are not illegal. Arrangements for NAB Convention Complete With Agreements on Hotels in Los Angeles (Continued from page 99) members of NAB. Exhibits will include transmitters, and other equipment and services of interest to the industry. The exhibits, at the Biltmore, will open on FORMS TO BE MAILED TO MEMBERS NAB members are asked to withhold requests for room reservations and pre-registration forms until production of the forms can be completed and mail¬ ings begun. C. E. Arney, Jr., NAB secretary-treasurer, says : “The task of preparing the pre-registration and reservation forms could not be begun until the con¬ tracts with the hotels had been negotiated. It will he from two to three weeks before we can get them into the mails to members.” Monday and remain open through Friday of conven¬ tion week. The Southern California Broadcasters Association is cooperating with NAB in arrangements, and is perfecting extensive additional plans of its own for the convention. Full details, along with the conven¬ tion agenda, will be announced when complete. IN THE OFFING Employee-Employer Rela¬ tions Executive Comm. Feb. 9 Washington, D. C. Board International visory Committee Ad Feb. 9 Feb. 10 Feb. 11 Washington, D. C. Board of Directors Feb. 24 Feb. 25 Feb. 26 The Homestead Hot Springs, Va. NAB Executives Register Under Lobby Act; Both Say Law Not Considered Applicable Emphasizing that the law is not considered appli¬ cable in either instance, two NAB executives last week registered with the U. S. Congress under pro¬ visions of the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946. Both registrants filed riders, each stating that he was registering “in order that he may carry on his duties . . . without any question being raised by any person as to the propriety of his performing any act respecting Federal Legislation.” The two executives who registered were Executive Vice President A. D. Willard, Jr., and General Counsel Don Petty. The disclaimers filed with each regis¬ tration pointed out that neither receives compensa¬ tion for influencing legislation, and that the “principal purpose” of neither position occupied by the two registrants is to “influence, directly or indirectly, the passage or defeat of any legislation by the Congress of the United States.” Any such activity by either registrant, the riders stated, is “incidental to his activities and duties . . . and to the purposes and activities of the Association.” Ban on Network Discs Used Once Is Lifted James C. Petrillo, president of the American Fed¬ eration of Musicians, last week exempted network transcriptions played only once from his ban on recording for the 60 days of the truce in negotia¬ tions with the four national networks on other musi¬ cal matters. The exemption applied to such programs as the Bing Crosby, Abbott and Costello, and Groucho Marx shows. Reports from New York said that while the exemp¬ tion was temporary, it was believed that it would be¬ come permanent with the general solution of prob¬ lems now under negotiation. Ruth Crane Named As New AWB President; Convention Ends with Warning by Martin With election of Ruth Crane, WMAL, Washington, as president, the Association of Women Broadcasters of the NAB ended its fifth annual convention at Wash¬ ington in a business session held Sunday (1) morning. (Continued on next page) FEBRUARY 9, 1948-101