NAB reports (Jan-Dec 1939)

CASE NOMINATED Norman S. Case, a member of the Federal Communi¬ cations Commission since July 1, 1934, was renominated by President Roosevelt on Tuesday. The new Communications Commission came into exist¬ ence on July 1, 1934 at which time Governor Case was nominated for a four year period. His term expired on July 1, 1938 when he was given a recess appointment by the President. The nomination, sent to the Senate on Tuesday, is for a seven year period from July 1, 1938. FCC TO GO TO CAPITOL FOR MORE FUNDS It is expected that the Federal Communications Com¬ mission will appear before a subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations next week in connection with the appropriation for the fiscal year starting next July 1. The Commission is asking Congress for an appropria¬ tion of $2,000,000 plus $25,000 for printing and binding and $13,175 for the Inland Waterway Radio Survey. This latter appropriation is only for a six months’ period from July 1 to December 31, 1939. During the present year, the appropriation for the Commission is $1,700,000 with $25,000 for printing and binding and $20,000 for the Inland Waterway Survey. The increased appropriation this year would take care of 53 additional employees for the Commission of which 47 would be in the Washington headquarters and 6 in the field offices, to include attorneys, engineers and clerks. FCC TURNS DOWN ACA REQUEST FOR SURVEYS The Joint Unemployment Council, American Communi¬ cations Association (C.I.O.) recently asked the Federal Communications Commission that certain surveys be made in the broadcasting and communication industries. Insofar as broadcasting was concerned the Association asked that a survey be made of broadcast interference and that a second survey be made on broadcasting coverage. The Association also requested that a census of employ¬ ment in the broadcast and general communications in¬ dustries be made. In connection with this request the Commission, this week, has answered the Association as follows : “The Commission has carefully considered your letter of October 21, 1938, in which you request that this Com¬ mission sponsor certain projects through the agency of the Works Progress Administration. You set forth therein the situation in regard to unemployed workers in the com¬ munication industry, which situation is the basis for your request. “The Commission is in sympathy with any plan having for its objective the relief of the unemployed and would welcome the opportunity to do what it could in this re¬ spect within the scope of its means and authority. In view of the statement you make relative to the general unemployment situation in the Communication industry, it is assumed that your recommendations as to affording relief applied to all communication workers irrespective of union affiliations. You will appreciate, of course, that the Commission could consider projects only on that basis. “A careful study has been made of your suggestions. Several of the projects which you list have merit. How¬ ever, a detailed analysis indicates that the Commission is not justified at this time in sponsoring them because of the practical difficulties involved. Furthermore, confer¬ ences between representatives of the Commission and the Works Progress Administration developed the fact that the Works Progress Administration would not look with favor upon projects which involve a house-to-house can¬ vass. In addition to these practical difficulties, the Com¬ mission is unable to assign the necessary supervisory and planning personnel as its staff is already overburdened with regular work. Also, the funds available from the Commission appropriation are insufficient to permit the purchase of necessary technical apparatus required to carry out the projects. “The Commission will continue to study those projects which appear to have greatest merit and, if it is found that the difficulties and personnel and financial restrictions can be overcome, consideration will again be given to the practicability of carrying out such of these as may be within the scope of Commission activities.” EXAMINERS’ REPORTS Orville W. Lyerla applied to the Federal Communica¬ tions Commission for a construction permit for a new station at Herrin, Illinois, to use ISIIO kilocycles, 100 watts, 250 watts LS, unlimited time. WEBQ, Har¬ risburg, Illinois, operating on 1210 kilocycles, 100 watts, 250 watts LS, specified hours, asked to change its frequency to 1310 kilocycles, unlimited time. KFVS, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, operating on 1210 kilo¬ cycles, 100 watts, 250 watts LS, specified hours, applied for unlimited time. Examiner P. W. Seward, in Report No. 1-755, recom¬ mended that the application of Lyerla be granted, but that the applications of WEBQ and KFVS be denied. In the case of the Lyerla application the Examiner found that the evidence at the hearing showed a need for the service in the area proposed to be served, and he stated that the granting of the application is not expected to cause objectionable interference. In the case of Stations WEBQ and KFVS the Examiner stated that the applica¬ tions could not be granted “within the purview of Sec¬ tion 307(b) of the Communications Act of 1934.” 3201