Television digest and FM reports (Feb-Dec 1947)

explaining to House subcommittee which has hip under subpoena to reappear Sept. 15 (though date will be deferred until after FMA, NAB conventions). Chairman Kearns was very surprised at edict, said it was "contrary to my understanding." There's at least fighting chance, too, that Dept, of Justice may move into situation under Lea or Taft-Hartley laws. FMA conferred Thursday with battery of Attorney General's staffmen, headed by Peter C. Brown, who also are slated for meetings with networks next week. FMA's Bill Bailey, hopping mad, insists networks should permit duplication at once since their AFM contracts cover "broadcasting," not AM as against FM ; he says he suspects networks have private agreement not to feed musical programs to FM without Petrillo's consent. Networks' .joint telegram to Petrillo Wednesday expressed regret, asked further meetings, stated: "Your action will seriously retard the development of FM broadcasting and we therefore feel is clearly contrary to the public interest." But networks obviously are not in any hurry, probably would prefer to bide their time until they negotiate next contracts with AFM, present ones expiring next Jan. 31; they should be in better strategic position then, under new labor laws. As for NAB, it had no more comment than President Miller's remark to N. Y. Times: "This will mean continuation of the stalemate." Subject is certain to be main topic at both NAB and FMA conventions next month. It looks now like Petrillo is adopting policy of "talk soft, act tough," intends to maintain old fear of reprisals (such as higher wage demands, strike threats) if thwarted by new labor laws. He let it be known Friday AFM isn't going into recording business, as he threatened at House hearings (Vol. 3, No. 28), but he has adopted policy of refusing to let his men play for any new recording companies. As Rep. Hartley commented to AP Thursday, day his bill became law, "Fortissimo means loud music. Pianissimo means soft music. Petrillo means no music." Someone's been feeding Jimmy Petrillo some rather cockeyed figures on FM, from which he's drawn questionable conclusions. He was quoted as telling Chicago newsmen there were 204 FM stations now operating, that these would increase to 3,000 in 18 months. Actually, adding the 52 licensees and 213 STAs to date (Supp. 53 and addenda), there are 265 FM stations which may be presumed to be on the air more or less regularly. Then there are 666 CPs outstanding, 247 conditional grants, only 159 applications pending. Applications now are less than half dozen weekly. How all these can possibly add up to 3,000 within 18 months escapes us. EBOADCASTIEG'S DIGEST FLO?: Lots of voluble stockholders, plenty of pretty theories, much cloudy business thinking - that's picture of last Monday's meeting to decide what to do about Washington's WQQW, costly experiment of the "liberal" fringe gone sour. Despite talk of many bidders, there was only one bid — $80,000, from Lawrence Heller, ex-owner of WINX, which he sold to Washington Post for §500,000. Stockholders wouldn't approve, decided to meet again Sept. 3. Good music, limited commercial station, which was going to show up industry's ills and foibles under "enlightened" managership of one of Blue Book's authors, ex-FCC staffman Edward Brecher, is on rocks after only 8 months operation (Vol. 3, No. 29-33). Business-wise, it's probably quickest and worst flop in radio history, will be cited often as prime example of loose thinking, impractical acting on part of pinkos, do-gooders and others who carp at commercial radio. Station enjoys fairly large, very loyal following (not all highbrow) but has suffered from antagonism engendered from outset by Brecher policies: looking dov/n nose at advertisers and agencies, promising city its "only honest ' news" (and then hiring ex-correspondent for Communist papers as news editor), even refusing to observe ordinary amenities of legitimate business. Facility isn't bad (1,000 watts daytime on 570 kc) plus CP for FM. Best business month was $4,000, though gilded overhead runs about §12,000. The 202 stockholders subscribed to §132,000 in capital stock, several also going on note for §50,000. They want to