Evening star., 1926-04-11
BRITISH CONSIDER
NEW RADIO BOARD
Central Control to Avoid
Confusion Here Urged in
Parliament.

While Congress is considering new
radio legislation, the question of re-
organizing the British broadcasting
monopoly Is before Parliament.
A special broadcasting committee
has just recommended that new
commission succeed the present Brit
ish Broadcasting Company.
Agreeing that broadcasting in Great
Britain should remain monopoly to
avoid the confusion resulting from
free and uncontrolled transmission
and reception in the United States,
the committee urges state control.
The creation of British broadcast
ing commission of between five and
seven paid members of judgment and
of directors of a public service is
urged. The members would be ap-
pointed by the Crown for a period Of
five years. Such a commission would
become effective on January !, 1927.
and control all broadcasting with the
assistance of the postmaster general
in the matters of licensing receivers
and the collecting of fees. Blind per-
SONS would be permitted to listen in
free.
BrOadcasting Called Necessity.
"Rroadcasting is not only an insti.
tuition, but has become a necessity
throughout the civilized world the
report states, adding that 1t will be-
come a "handmaiden rather than the
usurping rival of literature and the
arts"
The British broadcast system which
opened its first station at London in
November, 1922. now includes 10 main
and IL relay stations and con-
templates more high powered stations,
similar to that opened last July at
Daventry. On January 81 there were
1.S40,268 receiving licenses in effect,
but the total number Of listeners is
estimated at two or three times that
figure.
Commenting on the new scheme,
one British publication urges Parlia-
ment to ascertain whether or not the
listeners are satisfied with the present
system before making any radical
changes.
in part as follows:
THE new commission would assume
control on January /. 1927, when the
license of the British Broadcasting Co.
expires. The motive for this recon-
mendation lies in the belief that a
corporation for such public service
should be publicly, rather than pri-
vately owned.
Two Proposals Made.
1.-TWO proposals for the organiza.
ton of the commission were made:
The first. its creation by act of Parlia-
ment. which would specify its organ
iZation and the manner of its opera.
ton: the alternative, to create a cor
poration under the companies acts
with shareholders to be appointed by
the postmaster general.
"All property and operations of the
existing company would be transfer
red to the commission. arrangements
being made to prevent any interrup
ton of broadcasting service by TAX
ing over the present operating staff
The commission would receive 10
wear license similar to that now held
by the British Broadcasting Co."
1t was recommended that the pres
ent listeners license fee of 10 shillings
per year be continued under the direc
ton of the postmaster general.
The commission would be empower
ed to operate present and future
broadcasting stations in the United
Kingdom, arrange programs in ac'
cordance with public demand and
handle other business necessary to
improve broadcaSting, excepting broaC
questions of policy, which would be
decided by the postmaster general