Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

networks will inevitably oppose — that no one "shall own or control or be the licensee of broadcast *stat ions in any single band which in the aggregate provide a primary service .... for more than 25 per centum of the population of the continental United States...." Much of bill has to do with Commission and appellate procedure. It's described as "fairly conservative" by at least one lawyer who had hand in its framing; NAB and most other radio attorneys said they had not yet Studied it. If you want a copy, we'll get it for you. ^ •S' ^ Not much secret about motive behind Wisconsin GOP Senator McCarthy's bill (S. 1509) to prohibit Congressmen and Senators or their wives from owning or having financial interest in broadcasting stations. Though he may disclaim personal reasons, fact is that ex-Senator Bob LaFollette, whom he defeated, has long held 25% interest in WEMP, Milwaukee; and that GOP Rep. O'Konski, of Mercer, Wis., has just filed for AM-FM outlets in Mercer and Merrill. During campaign, Senator McCarthy pledged Such a bill. It hasn't got much chance, for solons like lucrative investments no less than the other fellow. O'Konski said he saw nothing illegal or dishonest about applying; so did Ohio's Senator Bricker, who's one of group seeking outlet in Cleveland. Among sitting lawmakers, these have corporate or family radio holdings: Senator Taft, Ohio (WKRC, Cincinnati) ; Senator Capper, Kansas (WIBW, Topeka, and KCKN, Kansas City) ; Senator Knowland, California (KLX, Oakland) ; Senator Robertson, Wyoming (a principal in Montana Network, seeking 1560 kc in Butte) ; Rep. Ellsworth, Oregon (KRNR, Roseburg) ; Rep. Rogers, Florida (WFTL, Fort Lauderdale); Rep. Lyndon Johnson, Texas (KTBC, Austin). Observe that all but last 2 are Republicans. Among ex-politicos, there are quite a few more: Former Senator Worth Clark, Idaho, 10% stockholder in KJBS, San Francisco; former Senator Wheeler, Montana, interested through family in Craney stations in Montana, Washington, Oregon; exSen., ex-Gov. Elmer Benson, Minnesota, seeking 3 FM stations in that state; ex-Rep. Wene, New Jersey, v/ho controls WTNJ, Trenton, and WSNJ, Bridgeton; ex-Gov. Rivers, Georgia, owner of 3 Small stations there; ex-Lt. Gov. Noe, Louisiana, owner of 2 stations in Louisiana, 1 in Pine Bluff, Ark. ; ex-Gov. Kerr, Oklahoma, principal in recent Peoria, 111. grant and Tulsa application; ex-Gov. Murphy, New Hampshire, owner of station in Manchester; ex-Gov. Landon, Kansas, seeking stations in Independence and Fort Leavenworth, also in Englewood, Colo. There are others, too. NAB HIERARCHY MEETS AND ACTS: Petrillo and FM — these were only passingly discussed at NAB's quarterly board meeting Wednesday-Thursday. Nor was there anything new reported by Standards Committee (Vol. 3, No. 20) or by Mutual's Ed Kobak on Broadcast Advisory Committee (Vol. 3, No. 11), both concerned with proposed codes of practice. Next moves in musician situation await Supreme Court decision on Lea Bill. Even Blue Book got little or no attention, beyond issuance to directors of NAB's newly published Little Blue Book (with "bleached" cover) containing compendium of President Miller's legal and policy contentions but including tribute by Miller to FCC and Chairman Denny for doing tremendous task well — "within proper scope of its authority." This is what NAB board did: (1) revised bylaws to make networks associate instead of active members, which requires membership referendum, reduces fees to about $5,000 each in lieu of nearly $65,000 present 3 members contribute; (2) admitted ABC as associate member; (3) agreed networks won't have directors unless an M&O station manager should be chosen at district election; (4) recommended BMB Study No. 2 be postponed to 1949, instead of 1948 as planned, BMB President Hugh Feltis being present to report 120 subscribers now, predict 1,000 when study is ready to be made; (5) appropriated $15,000 for another U of Denver-National Opinion Research Center poll on what public thinks about radio ; (6) authorized 4 station representatives to sit with AFRA-Industry Committee; (7) approved Sept. 15-18 dates for next convention in Atlantic City; (8) approved more than 100 new station members, bringing total membership to nearly 1,300.