Evening star., 1925-11-15
INTEREST Of RADIO
PUBLIC IS GUARDED
Recent Conference Here Had
Welfare of Listeners Con-
stantly in Mind.
BY CARL H. BUTMAN.

With the conclusion Of the Fourth
National Radio Conference the radio
public heaved a sigh of relief at the
action taken and the recommenda-
tions made to the Secretary Of Com
merce in their behalf and in the in
terest Of the industry in general.
No more broadcasting stations will
go on the air until such time as there
are suitable channels released; no
more stations will be forced to divide
time or wave lengths; the broadcast
ing band was left as 1t has been be-
tween 202 and 545 meters; and efforts
to eliminate all forms Of interference
were advocated-in resolutions adopt
ed. almost unanimously, by q confer
ence representing every phase Of the
industry.
This conference, cited as the largest
and the most satisfactory Of all,
ton thanking Secretary Hoover for
his interest. and promising him the
support and cooperation of all
branches Of radio and its allied in
terests. In reply. Secretary Hoover
thanked the conferees in turn for
their close cooperation, which, he
said, showed that this industry was
the first to administer to its own
needs through practical self gov
ernment'-setting an example for
other industries.
Smoother Sailing Promised.
Certain OF the recommendations,
when worked out into regulations by
the department and laid down in
legislation by Congress, 1t Is believed,
are indicative of far smoother sailing
for the many radio craft on the
ETHEREAL seas in the future.
Among the salient points touched
upon-some Of them felt to be
drastic--are the following:
II. in the opinion Of the Secretary.
there be no public need for additional
broadcasting stations on the air, he
will not license any more, even If
stations are now complete and await
ing a channel. This position may be
taken pending action of. Congress- 1t
will be considered a hardship by some
desirous Of entering broadcasting, but
Is held benefit to listeners.
Throughout the whole conference
the keynote was service to the radio
public" The manufacture and sale
of radiating receivers was opposed
by the conference, 1t being pointed
out that although control Of some
types of oscillating receivers was pos.
sible and that education was needed
the committee on interference was
anxious at some early date to pre-
vent the further manufacture and use
of this type of listening device. While
opposing this drastic action. Powell
Crosley suggested that since there
were three types Of receivers which
might cause such interference, he
was willing to let the resolution stand,
Spark sets used by amateurs were
discouraged, as we'll as those in ma
rine use, In an effort to further clear
the air. Arc apparatus, 1t was held,
might be further improved and the
use Of highpower only when neces-
sary was advocated.
Suggestions for. Bill.
While no attempt to draw up a
radio bill was made, a number Of
salient features were outlined and will
be presented to Congress through
Chairman White Of the House radio
subcommittee. These recommenda-
tions covered licensing Of stations, op-
posed a monopoly In radio communi.
cation, and suggested an appeal over
the Secretary of Commences decisions,
although vesting in him the power of
administration in radio matters. Five
years was proposed as the time of du-
ration of stations licenses, and es-
tablished fees ranging from $25 to
$z,000 per station, were advocated.
Any form Of Government censorship
was objected to, and, as radio broad
casting is not felt a public utility, the
question Of rates and fees was not
a matter for legislation.
Secretary Hoover registered himself
as opposed to the granting of so much
power upon a Secretary, or rather an
official Of the Government, without
having some form Of appeal from his
decisions, which suggestion will un-
be Incorporated In any leg
islation.
Contrary to the general opinion, the
committee accepted the
present broadcast bands without
change. but urged that special con-