NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1938)

F. B. STRICKLAND (Continued from page 2479) U. S. broadcasting station, using some Canadian radio station as reference. Strickland is said to be 32 years of age, about S' 6" in height, sharp features, brown hair, wears eye glasses, and has a decided limp, his right leg being shorter than the left. Any station knowing of Strickland’s whereabouts is requested to communicate promptly with NAB head¬ quarters. FCC APPROPRIATIONS When the President sent his budget message to Congress on Tuesday he included an appropriation of $1,752,820 for the Federal Communications Commission for the fiscal year 1939, beginning on July 1, 1938. This is $9,180 below the present fiscal year’s appropriation, which is $1,762,000. IN RE FEDERAL RADIO EDUCATION COMMITTEE Members are requested to refer to the Managing Direc¬ tor’s letter, dated November 1, 1937, concerning contribu¬ tions to the Federal Radio Education Committee, and in that connection attention is called to the following letter, received from the United States Commissioner of Education: “My dear Mr. Baldwin: “Recently I sent to you a copy of the ‘Report of Progress of the Federal Radio Education Committee’ which I presented on November 30 at the National Conference on Educational Broad¬ casting in Chicago. I have also asked that a copy of the report be sent to the manager of each broadcasting station in the country. “The report, as you will note, summarizes the activities to date of the Federal Radio Education Committee which was created by the Federal Communications Commission on December 18, 1935. For two years, then, we have been at work making some very thorough-going plans for the accomplishment of the general pur¬ pose which the Communications Commission had in mind in creat¬ ing the Committee, namely, to eliminate controversy and mis¬ understanding between educators and broadcasters and to bring about active cooperative efforts between the two groups. In addi¬ tion to the development of plans, it will be noted in the report that under the auspices of the Committee some definite and con¬ structive pieces of work have been under way. “A great deal of time and effort have been put into the develop¬ ment of plans. Members of the Communications Commission per¬ sonally have given many hours to conferences in connection with the problem. Innumerable persons from the broadcasting industry and from education have traveled to Washington, have sat through long hours of conferences, and have worked hard in an effort to bring into shape a rather comprehensive program of studies and activities designed to carry out the purposes of the Communications Commission. You will note that on page 12 of my report I made the following statements: ‘As I suggested last year, the Federal Communications Commis¬ sion was sincere and purposeful in setting up the Committee as the most representative and workable piece of machinery for secur¬ ing a pooling of experiences through democratic processes. I know that the Commission and the Administration back of it are expect¬ ing some real results from the work of the Committee. If such results are not achieved we shall either have to admit that we do not know how to cooperate for mutually advantageous outcomes or that there must be some radical change in the so-called American system of broadcasting. For my part, I have confidence to date in the possibilities of the former alternative, because I believe that all of the persons and groups involved in the venture are disposed to give their unwaver¬ ing support to it. Since I believe this, I am willing to give the program my best efforts.’ “I find that all of the Committee members and all others who have been intimately associated with planning the program are eager to complete the plans and set up the necessary machinery for their completion. You will note that already funds have been secured from foundations in terms of the agreement that was reached in connection with the total fund of $250,500. Before the Com¬ mittee can proceed to set up its organization for the completion of the program, it is essential that the $83,000 which was to be subscribed by the radio industry be assured. I sincerely hope that this fund will be made available without further delay. You can readily see, in view of the history of the origin and activities of the Committee, that unless the industry makes its contribution without delay, there may develop many embarrassments to the Communi¬ cations Commission, to the members of the Committee, and to the broadcasting industry. “I still feel that in creating the Committee, the Communications Commission established a most representative and workable piece ofmachinery for the solution of the problems involved in a proper cooperation between educators and broadcasters. It will be just too bad if this piece of machinery is allowed to collapse. “Very cordially yours, “(Signed) J. W. Studebaker, Commissioner.” FCC MAKES ANNUAL REPORT No recommendations were made by the Federal Com¬ munications Commission in its annual report to Congress on Tuesday of this week for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1937. It is anticipated that before this session of Congress adjourns recommendations for some legislation will be made. The Commission reports that as of June 30, 1937, there were 704 regular broadcast stations in the United States, and that during the fiscal year 51 new stations were author¬ ized by the Commission and 7 were deleted. During the same period 295 applications were received for new sta¬ tions. It is stated in the report that “with the view of continu¬ ing to progress toward the solution of allocation problems, the Commission proceeded with its intensive study of in¬ formation gathered through the broadcast-allocation sur¬ veys and hearings. In order to better fit itself to pass judgment on the comparative needs of various communi¬ ties for broadcast facilities, the Division (Broadcast, now eliminated) conducted a study in the distribution of broad¬ cast facilities to cities and towns of various populations and to the States.” Dealing with the further survey of rural radio reception conditions, the Commission says: “The data compiled from the postcard questionnaire survey conducted in connection with the allocation survey, as reported in the previous annual report, were very helpful in determining general reception conditions in the rural areas and the types of stations upon which the average rural resident is dependent for his broadcast service. These data were, however, silent as to any differentiation between daytime and nighttime reception conditions, and the Commission was of the opin¬ ion that due to differences in propagation conditions, etc., there might be a material change in the results of the 2481