Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-26
Jaw BODY OFFERS
radio BILL VIEWS
Remedies for Present Chaot-
10 Conditions of Broadcast
ing Proposed.

The American Bar Association,
through it's air law committee. has
transmitted to Congress it's digest
and views on radio legislation. This
body, it may be recalled. was largely
responsible for the enactment last
year of the air commerce act which
Is now about to be put into effect by
the Department of Commerce.
Within a short time the rules OF
the air relative to the operation and
regulation of airplanes and airships,
their licensing and inspection and the
licensing and actions of their pilots
will be in operation. Comes again
this body of lawyers, who have
studied the proposed regulations OF
/ the ether, with recommendations to
Congress on radio. Their Sugges-
tions are both authoritative and per.
tinent. and will no doubt have weight
/ with the Federal lawmakers.
Would Eliminate Chaos.
The chief recommendations of the
1 air law committee concern remedies
for the present chaotic situation.
which it feels has been neglected in
both the White and Dill bills. The
! points out, deal with the future
rather than the present. Eventu-
) allv. they say. the situation would
clarity itself through slow and eX-
pensive litigation in the courts. but
thew offer specific suggestions, in part,
as follows:
The Secretary of Commerce should
be empowered to regulate fadlo or
eventually a secretary of commuh-
cations. If some stations must be
closed-and it appears that there are
far TOO many broadcasters on the
air-the committee holds that constr.
tutionally just compensation shouio
be paid them by taxing the pronts
of the stations relicensed, whose
profits should be the larger WIN
competition reduced. Even gooo VIII
should be included in paying com
pensation, it is held. Inc crealio ,
Of a compensation board is urged,
evan If the bills have to be recalled
from conference to be so amended.
Benefit Seen for Public.
Tho puhlic will be benefited If broad
-,s.;ng stations are reduced In num-
her Inv having fewer and better broad
casters. because interference VIII DE
reduced to a minimum ana Decause
the present situation can De oeai.
with only by limiting the numper ol
licensees, Inc COHlInAtlCSS AS@
charge of monopoly against the sta
tions permitted to broadcast since
there would be at least three or TOUR
hundred enjoying that privilege. Linn
ifation of broadcasters, like telephone
companies, is necessary, 1t is felt. TOT
nublic convenience. and would be as
constitutional as the limitation OF Ger.
tain highways to certain classes OF
vehicles. The compensation provi-
sions suggested are in accordance
with provisions suggested in the con-
temptation of compulsory consonda-
ton of railroads.
The committee sees the enactment
Of a resolution stopping 1.-The furtner
licensing of broadcasting stations as
a necessity, until Congress passes new
radio legislation. because the sltua-
ton is growing worse steadily. due TO
the increasing number of licensees
Anti-monopoly provisions in a radio
bin are held unnecessary because they
are covered in the Sherman and Gay
ton laws with respect to monopoly
and limitation of competition. Gov
eminent stations, it is claimed, should
not compete with commercial stations.
In making these recommendations,
the committee is acting chiefly in the
interest of the public listeners in
making for better reception and pro-
grams.