New-York tribune., 1922-06-11
Law Designed to
Rule BrOadcasting
Is Before Congress
Hoover Given Broad Powers
Under Clauses of Bill
Now in Congress Which
Would Curb Monopolies

The radio bill introduced Friday in
the House by Mr.. White. OF Maine, is
indorsed in It's substance by the recent
radio conference called by Secretary
Hoover at the instance Of the Presi-
dent
The first draft Of the pending bill
made BY Mr. White was submitted 20
the conference. which upon eonsidera-
ton approved it generally, but recon-
mended a number Of minor changes
These changes have been incorporated
into the pending bill 50 Ear as the lesa!
committee felt it possible to do so.
This legal committee was composed OF
Mr.. White, chairman; Senator Kellogg.
Mr.. Tyrer Deputy Commissioner Of
Navigation Of the Department Of Com
meree, and Mr.. Terrell, IN charge OF
the radio division Of the Department
Of Commerce. A summary follows:
The bill presented is not eompre-
hensive radio law. II leaves the act
TO regulate radio communication. ap-
proved August 10. 1912. as the basic
law upon this subject. The bill. in ad-
dition TO granting enlarged powers Of
regulation. undertakes 10 clarity GER
tain antiquities in the present law and
adds TO existing Law a number Of see
tions Of minor consequence.
Section i-B is vital paragraph OF
the bill. This paragraph OF the bill
will authorize the establishment OF
various brosdeasting services which arc
Of such great interest 10 the public
and will permit all the other classes Of
service recommended by the conference
10 be established and safegusrdsd from
improper interference. The twenty
classes Of stations recommended arc
not exclusive Of others.
Paragraph D Of Section ! authorizes
the President in time OF war or Of pub
lie peril or disaster TO cause the clos
INK Of any radio station or 20 sutho-
rize the use and control Of any such
station BY any department Of the gov
eminent. Thi. provision is not new.
The concluding sub-paragraph Of
Paragraph c IS Of general interest.
There has been a somewhat prevalent
belief and there was some evidence 20
justify the opinion offered 10 the con-
ference that certain large mAnufae-
turers Of radio apparatus through the
ownership Of essential patents and
through contracts with selling agen-
cios and by other means, we're unduly
restricting the manufacture and sale
Of desirable apparatus In view Of this
situation the committee believed that
u was proper and in harmony with the
general theory Of the bill with respect
20 the issuance Of licenses 70 speeih-
cally authorize the secretary 20 refuse
a license 20 any person or corporation
which in his Judgment was monopoiI-
ing or seeking 10 monopolize radio
communication through the control OF
the manufacture or sale % radio ap-
paratus. This sub-paragraph gives
this power
Section 6 is also q new provision In
the interests OF safety al sea IL re-
quircs that radio telephone stations
tho signals of which can interfere
with ship communication shall keep
licensed operator listening in on the
wave length designated for distress
signals during the entire time the
transmittcr Of such telephone station
Is IN operation.
The President is authorized 10 allo-
cate wave lengths TO be used By gov
eminent stations. The bill provides
only for government control over
transmitting stations. The issuance OF
licenses is made discretionary, not
compulsory. The license runs ten years
with renewal option; II also pro-
vides for revocation upon cause