The Washington times., 1924-03-07

Radio seems about to enjoy
little Teapot Dome affair of its own.
Airing Of its scandals has begun
In New York and Chicago, with a
hearing on an alleged monopoly of
the air scheduled to begin before
the Federal Trade Commission In
Washington the latter part of this
month.
Should a postponement Of the
hearing be desired at that time,
listeners-in will get a headphOne
full of the inside history of radio
and broadcasting.
We who sit at home in front of
our sets and grab all the entertain
ment we want from out of the
night are inclined to bless radio
and to believe that all's we'll with
broadcasting.
But not so with the guardians
| of the American principles of free
| dom and unrestriction.
The Federal Trade Commission
has charged the patent holders and
manufacturers Of the majority Of
radio supplies with violation of the
antitrust laws.
A test suit asking permanent in.
junction against an independent
broadcasting station has been filed
by the American Telephone and
Telegraph Company and has been
answered by an accusation of
monopoly which would gain COM
plete control Of the air and of radio
receiving sets.
Grover A. Whalen, commissioner
OF plant and structures of the city
of New York, has repeated the
accusation against the Telephone
Company and has asked for gov.
ernmental or a congressional hear.
ing on the broadcasting situation.
The company. he charges, has as
sumed the prerogatives Of the fed.
eral government in the control and
regulation of radio broadcasting.
And out in Chicago an organiza-
ton OF Methodists is beseeching the
powers that be to compel Wilbur
Voliva, Of Zion City, to desist from
his "air-scorching" sermons broad
cast every Sunday afternoon.
Only the surface Of the situation
has been touched. There Is much
on both sides to be told.
The system of future broadcast.
ing is as yet an uniformed and
| shapeless thing. At present it's
making is almost entirely in the
hands of the manufacturer and
patent holder. But for a salts.
factory and enduring creation, the
| listening-in public must take an
interested part IN the work Of
formation, and must make its sug-
gest1ons and recommendations
audible to big business.
For some time we have scrutinized
every satchel that has been brought
in the office and we repeatedly
have dropped hints that we could
use very nicely 100000. But so
far no one has given us an OPP
portunity to Fall.
rs. O. s."
! For second time in a month
fate has conspired to cheat US of
the use OF our set. Last night it
sent vicious squad of demons to
wreck in mysterious manner some
part. as yet unidentified, Of the re-
ceiver.
And we had been very anxious
to hear Ben Levin, Gretchen Hood
and the Columbian Male Quartette.
Wh1le we are In an editorial mood,
we might as well get one of our
pet grievances off our chest.
1t has to do with the incessant
appeals Of announcers for applause
for their performers.
Letters constitute the only way
In which a listener can express ap.
probation Of a broadcast perform.
ance. To applaud in such a man.
ner is most commendable and should
be INDUCED in to the fullest.
The listening-in public knows this
and the Postoffice Department rec.
ognizes it.
The appeals therefore for applause