San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-11-29
OPPORTUNITY PROVIDED.

thus monopolize the listeners set.
OPPORTUNITY PROVIDED.
We do not get much freedom of
speech If 30 people speak at the same
place at the same time, nor is there
any freedom in right TO come into
my sitting room to make a speech
whether / like it or not. So far as
opportunity goes to explain ones
views upon questions of controversy.
political, religious or social, it would
seem that 600 independent stations.
many competing in each locality,
might give ample opportunity for
great latitude in remarks.
Ana IN any event, without irving
out all this question, we can surely
agree that no one can raise a CRY of
deprivation of free speech merely be-
cause he is compelled to prove that
there IS something more than naked
commercial selfishness in his purpose.
:. The ether is a public medium. and
lIs use must be for public benefit.
Inc use Of radio channel is iusti-
med only If there is a public benefit.
The dominant element for consider.
alton in the radio field is and aIwsvs
VIII oe' me great body of listening
puohe, millions in number.
CLASS A VS.. B
az me outset Of the confereuc, I
thlnk there was some fear ON The
part OF the small stations. which
serve chiefly local Communities lest
Ihey were 10 be crowded out by the
larger and more powerful stations.
mere was some feeling as between
the Class A stations on the one sida
ana tne Class b stations on the other.
II was soon found that any such fear
was groundless.
Inc distinction between Glass A
and Glass Il is wholly arbitarv. II
goes BACK TO the ancient times in
radio history Of four years ago when
the favorlte occupation of the broad
caster was the transmission of phono-
graph music. Some Of the more mo-
gressive stations declared that thers
was higher form of entertainment
and they were put into A senersfs
class, designed as Glass B. on the
condition that they would provide
better programs.
The conference Therefore resolved
70 wipe out this arbitrary distinction
~. lnV tIdsses- rom now
on an stations will be on the same
p! pass. Ihere is TO be only one test.
congress passes the necessary leg
lslatlon-that is service TO the lis
tener-and this test will be applied
10 every station. big or little.
Defends AMATEURS.
There is full recognition of the fact
mat many Of the small stations per-
form a real service TO their communi.
ties which can be given in no other
way, and there is no desire on the
part Of anybody 10 disturb them. II
was suggested that We might make
room Tor more stations il we widen
the broadcasting band. Your instru-
ments would not cover new stations
outside the present band. and IL this
suggestion were adopted it would
mean that we should have 10 invade
the band which has been assigned 10
amateurs. of whom there are thou
sands. The conference agreed with m
that radio has q useful contribution
to the fine development Of the Amer.
lean boy. None Of us wishes 70 mini
mize his position in growing Ameri-
can life, and therefore the conference
confirmed here his province.
While the recommendations OF the
conference should ultimately result in
tremendous betterment to broadcast
ing, We must not expect radical i'm
proYement too soon. The conference
was merely an advisory body. II had
no final power. IL expressed the views
OF every one interested in radio Be.
Tore most Of its recommendations can
become effective they must be enact
ed into law by the Congress. I hone
that this legislation will be given us
by Congress at its next session. I
hope, likewise, that it will impose reg.
ulations only 10 the extent absolutely
/ essential.
NO GAR NEEDED.
It has been the pride Of the radio
industry that il has been largely self
governing, and | believe this coudi.
ton may well continue. / know Of no
/ finer example Of the true spirit 0.
American industry than the voluntary
recognition by the men engaged in ra.
do communication Of the public in.
terest In their enterprises. That senti.
ment has characterized radio since il
birth.
Radio has grown up in the spirit OF
| service. It has been the worlds great.
est example Of sef-govenment il
business. II has needed no ear, No
/ iron hand Of control. There is, OF
course, a return in publicity 70 be
had from broadeasting. Broadcasting
stations are not and do not neces-
sarily claim 10 be philanthropists
They. like the great magazines and
newspapers, are a great public sery-
ice.