Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1960)

VOL. 16: No. 26 11 Congress more about LEE FINALLY MAKES IT: Just 7 days short of the expiration of his term (June 30), Republican FCC Comr. Lee last week survived a Senate floor flght over his record & capabilities. He won confinnation — 54-19 — for another 7 years in office. Following a unanimous recommendation by the Senate Commerce Committee that his reappointment by President Eisenhower be approved (Vol. 16:25 p3), it had been expected that Lee would have an easy time on the floor. Instead, a sharp partisan wrangle had developed and the nomination had been forced into a roll-call vote. Denounced by Democrats, defended by Republicans, Lee was pictured alternately as a man who had failed to do his FCC duty and as one of the country’s outstanding public servants. The attack on Lee was led by Sen. Proxmire (D-Wis.). He conceded that Lee and White House nominees for other agencies “are pleasant men & honorable men & decent men,” but he called for rejection of Lee’s name — “a controversial nomination to a Commission with which very few persons are satisfied.” Proxmire drew up an indictment against Lee from the transcript of his confirmation hearing before the Commerce Committee (Vol. 16:18 p3). Among the anti-Lee counts he cited were : (1) “The nominee failed to act on a matter of subterfuge in the Waco case,” in which FCC rejected an equal-time complaint involving KWTX-TV & KWTX Waco, Tex. (Vol. 16:17 p4). (2) “He has failed to act on payola.” (3) “He opposes development of standards which are of course absolutely essential if there is to be any meaningful regulation of the industry.” (4) “He went along with the majority of the Commission 90% of the time.” Proxmire & Gruening Lead Opposition Proxmire deplored “the sad fact” that Lee had no overt opposition within the Commerce Committee, wound up by telling the Senate: “I suppose it is impossible not to vote for a man who has the famous name of Robert E. Lee, especially in this body.” Sen. Gruening (D-Alaska) joined Proxmire in urging the Senate to reject Lee, although Gruening said he meant “no reflection whatsoever” on the nominee. Gruening’s argument was that “it is a grave error for the Senate to confirm any nomination for appointment for a term of 7 years,” with a new President due next Jan. Mild objections to Lee came from Sen. McGee (DWyo.), who said: “The nominee’s record has many spots that are subject to legitimate criticism. But I should like to say that the nominee has, I think, learned.” McGee said Lee had displayed interest in Western booster problems, that he therefore was entitled to Senate support. And in the rollcall McGee was on Lee’s side. Sen. Bridges (R-N.H.) was Lee’s main backer on the floor. “I would say Mr. Lee is one of the most competent public officials in this country today,” said Bridges. As Republican policy committee chmn., he presented a lengthy document titled “Report of the Accomplishments of the Federal Communications Commission during the Republican Administration, 1953-60.” Lee’s work was reflected in the GOP committee’s report. Bridges assured the Senate. Sen. Butler (R-Md.) recited Lee’s record from the time he went on a federal payroll in 1938 as an FBI agent, concluding with: “He is a Roman Catholic & a Republican. I wholeheartedly endorse confirmation of this nomination.” Minority Leader Dirksen (R-Ill.) disclosed that he had summoned Lee to his office for a 2-hour session when it became apparent that objections to confirmation would be made on the floor. “I had at least 40 questions to ask,” Dirksen said. “I wanted to be assured on any number of things, some of which had overtones of an investigation on the House side [by the Legislative Oversight Subcommittee].” When the long interview was over, Dirksen reported, he was convinced that Lee was “a good, able, aggressive, competent public servant.” Lee had help, too, from Sen. Scott (R-Pa.), who called the nominee “fairminded & attentive to his duties & competent in his position.” In the rollcall, demanded by Sen. Smathers (D-Fla.), votes against Lee were cast by these Democrats: Cannon (Nev.), Carroll (Colo.), Clark (Pa.), Douglas (111.), Engle (Cal.), Ervin (N.C.), Gore (Tenn.), Gruening (Alaska), Hart (Mich.), Hill (Ala.), Humphrey (Minn.), Jackson (Wash.), Johnston (S.C.), Jordan (N.C.), McCarthy (Minn.), McNamara (Mich.), Moss (Utah), Proxmire (Wis.), Young (0.). Charles H. King, dean of the Detroit College of Law, presumably is still in the works for a recess appointment when Congress adjourns (Vol. 16:25 p3). He told us he knows of no change in Eisenhower’s plans to name him. * * ♦ Lee is being relieved of some of his work. Starting July 1, he no longer will be responsible for the day-by-day chores of supervising Commission’s Conelrad & other national defense activities. FCC voted to move its Office of Defense Coordination from Lee’s office to the Office of Administration, under exec, officer Robert W. Cox. Albert A. Evangelista will be FCC’s defense coordinator in the new set-up, replacing Harland W. Morris, who retires Aug. 1. * * * Trust -buster Robert A. Bicks, nominated by President Eisenhower to be Asst. Attorney General (Vol. 16:25 p3), had an easy time of it at a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing. No opposition to his appointment developed at a brief session conducted by Sen. Eastland (D-Miss.). Chief witness for Bicks was Senate Minority Leader Dirksen (R-Ill.), who said he’d conducted his “own FBI work” on Bicks, urged confirmation “as quick as possible.” FCC housekeeping chores will be lighter from now on, thanks to Congress. The Senate has finally approved a House-amended bill (S-899) cutting down the paperwork which the law requires of govt, depts. & agencies, including FCC (Vol. 16:7 p9). Repealed was subparagraph 3 of the Communications Act’s Sec. 4(k). This provides for annual reports to Congress by FCC on payroll personnel — “including names, pertinent biographical data & experience, Commission positions held & compensation paid, together with the names of those persons who have left the employ of the Commission.” USIA faced barrage of criticism at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing last week. Appearing to plead for restoration of $5-million cut from his budget by the House, USIA dir. George V. Allen ran into protests that the Communists seemed to be winning the world propaganda war despite millions spent for VGA & other programs.