Variety radio directory (1939)

FEDERAL RADIO REGULATION— Continued several months. Upon his return in April, pressure for enactment of the resolution was revived. On May 10, 1938 the Senate Audit and Control Committee reported the resolution without recommendation. Administration leaders in the Senate announced opposition to the proposed investigation, characterizing it as a political move and pointing out that the Commission was already engaged in investigating most of the important subjects enumerated in the resolution. The reference was to the Commission's Order No. 37, adopted March 18, 1938, calling for an investigation by a committee of the Commission of networks and alleged tendencies toward monopoly in the broadcasting industry, and on which hearings actually commenced some eight months later. In May, 1938, pressure for adoption of similar resolutions in the House gained impetus and hearings were held before the House Rules Committee. At these hearings Chairman McNinch answered arguments for an investigation by explaining that the Commission was undertaking an inquiry of its own into the network-monopoly subject (referring to Order No. 37), telling of extensive work which had already been done, and stating that the Commission would be prepared to submit legislative recommendations to Congress at its next session. By a vote of seven to six, the House Committee reported one of the resolutions favorably. On June 14th, the resolution came before the House. There followed a tumultuous session characterized by impassioned speeches on both sides. Those supporting the resolution bitterly attacked what was described as the "radio lobby" for the "radio trust," charging wrong-doing by the Commission and comparing its internal strife with that of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Those opposing the resolution relied principally on the points made by Chairman McNinch and urged that he should be given a reasonable opportunity to carry out his program and to make definite legislative recommendations before subjecting the Commission to Congressional scrutiny. The issue was complicated by an unfavorable impression created by another member of the Commission, who had testified before the House Rules Committee and had been unable to substantiate charges he made against his colleagues. The resolution was voted down by an overwhelming majority of 234 to 101. Congress adjourned on June 16, 1938 without enacting any of the resolutions. With the opening of the next Congress on January 3, 1939, it seemed almost certain there would be an investigation in view of continued dissatisfaction with the Commission, the widely-publicized reports of dissension within the Commission, the slowness of the Commission in moving forward with its network-monopoly hearing, and the great reduction in Administration forces due to the election. On January 25th, immediately after the President's proposal that the Commission be reorganized, separate resolutions for investigation were introduced by Representatives Wigglesworth and Connery in the House and, on March 6, 1939, by Senator White in the Senate. The White resolution enumerated the subjects to be investigated in 11 paragraphs, including, generally, the acts, practices and policies of the Commission; censorship; the term of licenses; newspaper ownership ; network ownership and control ; ownership of two or more stations ; transfers of licenses and control of stations ; financial and other aspects of network operations; duplication of programs; the use of high-power; competition; the Commission's questionnaires; possible license fees; and other matters. While the House resolutions contained considerably more detail, in the nature of specific charges of improper practice against the Commission, they did not differ sufficiently in scope to justify a separate sum 911