NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1937)

American governmental body, Commander T. A. M. Craven, chief engineer of the Federal Communications Commission and chairman of the American delegation to the Havana conference, made the following statement at the close of the conference: “The accomplishments to date at this preliminary con¬ ference have been outstanding in that for the first time in the history of their radio relations, a common understand¬ ing has been reached by the countries represented on the technical principles that are basic, adoption of which is deemed essential if coordination is to be accomplished. “We have also paved the way for study of the facts and conditions that exist today in the chaotic and unsatis¬ factory situation in short-wave communications in this hemisphere with the view that, at the approaching Novem¬ ber conference, all the American nations will be in far better positions to suggest effective means for meeting this situation. “The specific recommendations of the conference in¬ clude an increase in the regular broadcast band used for the national broadcasting services from 550-1,500 kilo¬ cycles to 540-1,600, thus increasing the available channels from ninety-six to 107. “Fifty-eight of these would be set aside as clear chan¬ nels to be used by high-power stations in each nation, to render service over wide areas. The remaining forty-nine channels would be assigned for use by regional and local stations providing, through engineering principles and location of stations, against the present objectionable interference, on which the delegates have reached a com¬ mon definition for the first time. “There is also a recommendation for a change in the existing amateur band from 1,750-2,050 kilocycles to 1,715-2,000 and for extension of the existing bands allo¬ cated to State or Provincial police. “A study looking toward elimination of interference by radio therapeutic machines and other apparatus will be made by all the attending countries and an international plan will be drawn up to provide for emergency com¬ munications in the event of disruption of normal channels of communication by hurricanes, earthquakes and other disasters. “Likewise, study will be given to adoption of suitable regulations with respect to frequency bands above 1,600 kilocycles that might permit interchange of international police communications. “The delegations have refrained from touching on the political phase of international radio problems, but it is undeniable that this is likely to prove the greatest stum¬ bling block at the coming conference. “It will be highly necessary for each nation to establish standards of control for its own stations. In Cuba, for example, due to lack of adequate regulations, the inter¬ ference of stations has become so intense, not only with each other but with stations in the United States, that a wave of protest has swept the nation. However, the eco¬ nomic situation of the island’s stations and political in¬ fluences have thus far prevented enactment of efficient measures of control.” NEW TEXAS STATION RECOMMENDED Radio Enterprises, partnership of J. R. Curtis and R. Lacy, and the Red Lands Broadcasting Association both applied to the Federal Communications Commission for a construction permit for a new station at Lufkin, Texas, and both asked the same facilities, namely, 1310 kilocycles, 100 watts, and daytime operation. Examiner P. W. Seward, in Report No. 1-377, recom¬ mended that the application of Radio Enterprises be denied and that of the Red Lands Broadcasting Associa¬ tion be granted. He found that a need does exist for additional radio facilities during the day in the area pro¬ posed to be served. The Examiner states that the appli¬ cants connected with Radio Enterprises “reside in a different area than that proposed to be served and that neither one of the partners in this application has spent any considerable time in the Lufkin or Nacogdoches area.” On the other hand the applicants connected with the Red Lands Broadcasting Association do reside in Lufkin and Nacogdoches and therefore the Examiner feels “these ap¬ plicants are better qualified to know the needs of the area.” MONTANA COPYRIGHT LAW On March 3 the Montana state legislature enacted a law making copyrighted music licensing pools illegal. It was approved by the Governor on March 12. A similar bill was passed by the State of Washington legislature and also approved by the Governor. Legislation designed to regulate music copyright licens¬ ing pools is also pending in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin. An Indiana bill to license and tax music licensing pools was passed by the House and reported favorably in the Senate but was not passed by that body prior to final adjournment. The Montana law is as follows : MONTANA (House Bill No. 396) (Regular Session) AN ACT in aid of the Federal Copyright Laws, to assist in effectuating their true intent and their enforcement in the State of Montana by removing and declaring illegal certain monopolistic abuses and activities wrongfully prac¬ ticed under the guise of copyrights within the state by price fixing combinations, monopolies and pools; to en¬ force the Montana constitutional provisions prohibiting price fixing monopolies, and combinations in restraint of 2010