Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1946)

FATE OF LEA ACT: Issue to be decided by Federal Judge Walter J. LaBuy is simply whether the Lea Act (Supplement No. 35) is constitutional. That was the meaning of the hearing in Chicago Monday, based on the motion by AFL-AFM Attorney Joe Padway to dismiss charges against AFM president Jimmy Petrillo on grounds that Lea Act is unconstitutional. Case can take either of two paths: If the Chicago jurist holds Lea Act constitutional, Petrillo goes on trial for admitted violation in WAAF “featherbed” case (Vol. 2, No. 24, et seq). If convicted, he can appeal to Circuit Court of Appeals. If conviction is upheld there, he can appeal to U. S. Supreme Court, provided it agrees to hear the case. On the other hand, if Judge LaBuy holds the Lea Act is unconstitutional, the Government can appeal directly to the Supreme Court. In arguments before Judge LaBuy, Padway admitted Petrillo had violated the law (to test its constitutionality) but pictured the AFM chieftain as a benevolent labor leader fighting to save his musicians from technological imemployment resulting from radio, juke boxes, phonographs, sound movies. John S. Pratt, special assistant to the Attorney General, described the AFM as a racketeering organization which has extorted millions from the radio industry. fjlOVES TO PnOiMOTE Ffil: Promotion of FM among public and dealers heretofore has been spotty and of a localized nature — done particularly well by such individual entities as WELD, Columbus, O.; WBCA, Schenectady; KOZY, Kansas City; ' WATG, Ashland, O. On Monday, the first formal organization devoted to “selling” FM — on the local level — came into being. Some 30 licensees, CP holders and applicants of the New York area met in Manhattan’s plush 21 Club, decided to pool efforts to publicize FM, formed an executive committee comprising Capt. W. G. H. Finch (WGHF) ; Ira A. Hirschmann (WABF) ; Ralf Brent (WGYN) ; A. Lewis King (WFMO, Jersey City). They did not wait for this week end’s Washington meetings of the steering committee chosen at Chicago to set up a national FM promotion association (Vol. 2, No. 43). Some committeemen, meanwhile, were cautioning against too great expectation of quick results. That FM can count on FCC assistance, was manifested again Tuesday when Comr. Jett went to Ilagerstov/n, Md., spoke to dealers from Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania communities called together by Grover C. Crilley (WJEJ-FM). He told them what to expect from FM, asserted that to retain customer good will they must acquaint buyers with FM. Meanwhile, a more integrated FM Dept, in NAB is promised. More money, personnel, etc. await naming of a committee to include all segments of the FM field (FM independents, AM-FMs, manufacturers, etc.). All new NAB comnaittees are due before year’s end. TELEVISION NOTES: Race for exclusive TV tieups of major sports continues in New York area, CBS reporting Friday it had signed long-term contract to televise all Brooklyn Dodger home games starting next season. Sponsor is expected to be named shortly. Anticipating greater TV set circulation, NBC’s WNBT will not make video contracts with sponsors for more than 26 weeks. According to spokesman, costs are 3 and 4 times higher (depending on show) than card rate, which goes up to $750 per live telecast hour plus $100 transmission charge for more than 10 minutes of service. Sears, Roebuck likes its studio quiz and audience participation show so well on Philco’s WPTZ, Philadelphia, it is extending it for 4 Thursdays (9-9:30 p.m.) to NBC’s WNBT, New York, marking first commercial TV origination from Quaker City in what NBC now calls its “television network.” Three other sponsors originate from New York for Philadelphia. Trustees of Western Reserve U, Cleveland, for whom CBS is to stage color TV demonstration next v/eek, are being prodded into reviving interest in TV (low-band application was dropped) by reason of enthusiasm ol Prof. Barclay S. Leathern, dynamic head of dramatic arts dept. City is entitled to 5 channels, has two grantees (NBC and Scripps-Howard), only one pending applicant (DuMont). SIGHT AND SOUND: Topic of conversation at first DennyMiller luncheon (touted as harbinger of better Haisor between FCC and NAB) was electrical transcription rule due for hearing Nov. 25. With Denny were FCC Comr Hyde and Asst. General Counsel Plotkin. Accompanying Miller were: A. D. Willard Jr., NAB executive v.p.; Dor Petty, NAB general counsel; Edgar Kobak, MBS president; T. A. M. Craven, Cowles Broadcasting; Clair McCullough, WGAL, Lancaster, Pa., NAB board members Veteran E. C. Page, who took over as MBS engineer ing v.p. after his return from Signal Corps service over seas, resigns effective Jan. 1 to resume consulting prac tice in Washington, with MBS as one of his clients. Ear M. Johnson succeeds to his post. To inspect Philco’s newly expanded plant, presum ably also to be shown preview of Philco’s still hush-husl TV set line, FCC Comrs. Denny, Jett and Hyde jour neyed to Philadelphia Friday. GE's Dr. W. R. G. Baker, v.p. in charge of Electronic Dept., now located in Syracuse, has been elected 194' president of IRE; Noel Ashbridge, BBC, v.p. Nev directors: Murray G. Crosby, Paul Godley Co.; Ray F Guy, NBC; R. A. Heising, Bell Labs. Shelved, not abandoned, is WSYR-FM’s project t< bring 5,000 private brand F’M sets into the Syracuse, N.Y. market (Vol. 2, No. 43); Manager Lindquist says reasoj for temporary dropping of idea is that independen manufacturer could not promise quantity delivery in 60 day period specified and that dealers look for brand nam< FM sets soon. Some dealers, however, are still consider ing the proposition, he reports . Milton J. Kibler, NAB assistant director of cm ploye-employer relations, has resigned to open office in Evans Bldg., Washington, to specialize in labor law particularly as applied to broadcasting. Everett Dillard’s Commercial Radio Equipment Co has taken over the crystal manufacturing division o Aireon Mfg. Corp., Kansas City.