Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-04-02
SMALL STATIONS
HEARD BY BOARD
Meiqhborhood Units Plead for
Right to Continue
Broadcasting.

While defenders of the "neighbor-
hood" or local service area, broad
casting stations arose in number and
force at the hearings of the Federal
Radio Commission to insist upon
their right to exist, 1t was note
worthy that representatives of the
large stations were content Tor the
most part to sit silent. Having
participated actively in consideration
of technical problems, the large broad
casters and their engineers appar-
entity felt constrained to remain In
the background.
There was apparent among the
high-power broadcasterS, who should
be designated the national stations In
contrast with the neighborhood,
certain SNUG confidence born per
haps of the realization that with their
facilities they render the best types
of program to the greatest audience.
They are confident Of being relicensed
to continue operating, as most or
them will be.
But their confidence is reduced
among themselves when they con-
slider the chances of obtaining the
most favorable channels, powers and
broadcast hours Among themselves
they are intense rivals. Far from
being A monopoly--or even approach
ing monopoly. despite the growth OF
network stations which buy time"
as a newspaper buys syndicated mat
ter--radio broadcasting, like radio
manufacturing, comprises many dl-
verse elements. In this competitive
situation one finds the saving feature
of the listeners welfare.
At the commissions hearings all OF
the discussion seemed to have mar
rowed to elimination of some of the
733 stations now on the ether. Scien-
tist and layman in general were
agreed the most ready solution OF the
congestion problem is to cut down the
number of stations, The program ad-
vanced by the. American Engineering
Council contemplates something like
364 stations: the Felix plan" brought
forward by the youthful Edgar Felix.
magazine editor. proposed way for
having 437 stations that could broad
cast simultaneously without inter
ference, with perhaps 100 more on
divided time.
The commission and those attend
fng eyinced keen interest in both
plans, although several of the COM
inissioners fairly begged for sugges-
tions as to how all existing stations
might be accommodated; or, II
elimination were deemed absolutely
necessary. how to decide who shall be
eliminated. The discussion that en-
sued brought out some tndisputable
arguments in favor of the small broad
casters rights to remain IN the etner
how he furnishes to the rural and
sectional community crop and stock
reports. weather forecasts. educational
programs and other indispensable
broadcastS.
The apprehension prevailed that
the small broadcaster would suffer
under numerical curtailment. This is
probably true, If such a program is
adopted-and it is by no means GER
tain 1t will be-but the commission
already definitely has asked each ap.
plicant for a license to describe the
public service he renders, while the
law dictates service as the basis for
issuing licenses. Quality and neces-
sity Of program, the good will pos
sessed, and the general record OF the
station probably will be factors in de-
termining the selection finally.
The question then arises whether
the commission has power to force
station owners with large investments
in their property to scrap their equip.
= ment. Under its power to revoke
licenses, it would appear the new
radio law contemplates power to re-
fuse licenses If the public good is not
served. Perhaps this will be tested in
the courts.
The second pretentious program of
Latin American music OF the season,
arranged by the Pan-American Union,
will be broadcast Tuesday night by
the naval station NAA. Miss Rosita
Renard, talented Chilean pianist, is
making special trip to Washington
to take part in the entertainment.
Elizabeth Gutman. soprano, who re-
Gently returned from a European
concert tour. and the United Service
Band also will participate.
The program includes selections
from composers of seven Latin Ameri-
can countries. 1t will be broadcast
from the Hall Of the Americas of the
Pan-American Union, beginning at
O'Clock.
THE Week Enders,' the newest ag-
gregation of entertainers TO display
their wares over the WRC counter,
Will present. beginning at s o'clock
tonight, two-hour program OF com.
piete entertainment catering to the
varied tastes of the average radio
listener. This new program is de.
signed to furnish radio fans with the
Saturday night atmosphere" with.
out the necessity Of leaving their own
homes.
Featured in this initial program
DO bAJC ANdLlOildl MUSICAL NOIne0y
Troupe under the direction of Harold
Sanford, who for several years was
associated with the late Victor Her.
bert. Bits and Hits" of musical
comedies of the past and present will
be presented under MIR. Sanfords di
rection with the solo roles taken by
Ivy Scott, soprano: Harvey Hinder.
meyer, tenor, and Charles Robinson
basso. The popular Wood Wind
Trio" the Instrumentation of which
is flute, clarinet and piano, will pre-.
sent a portion of the program. TO.
gether with a male quartet. The
entire two-hour program will be some
what tmprornptu In character
The evening program will open at
O'Clock with a half-hour concert by
Janssen's Hofbrau Orchestra from
New York. followed by a Bible talk
by Representative John G. Box of
Texas at 7:30 O'Clock, and a recital by
Martha Farwell McCann, contralto.
at 7:45. After 1.-The Week Enders'
David Lawrence will be heard in a
Commute talk on Our Government. "
The nights program closes with
Wheeler Wadsworth and his orches
ira from New York
After an absence Of a month or
more. kin" Carroll and Erma Cal.
vert, who are better known 10 the
radio audience perhaps AS the Star
Radio Twins. will return TO the broad.
cast arena tonight through Station
WMAL, These entertainers are
scheduled for a Commute enga ven,apt