Evening star., 1927-04-01
Shutting Off Debate Over
Broadcasting Stations
Also Disputed.
COMMISSION CLOSES
HEARINGS ON LICENSES
Drastic Reduction in Number on
Air Urged-Right Of Free Speech
Is Declared Violated.

Radio Commission drew to a close to.
day at the Commerce Department
with the authority OF tie commission
TO censor broadcasting programs and
any tendency by the commission itself
or by individual stations to shut Off
debate on both sides of public ques-
ton sharply challenged.
Declaring that the legislation Great.
ing the commission and defining its
powers is useless from the point OF
view Of non-assignability of station
licenses, Morris l.. Ernst. represents
ing the American Civil Liberties
Union. predicted that the signature OF
cabinet officer of the United States
Secretary Hoover-might be banded
about and traded for cash under the
law. which gives stations exclusive
wave lengths and rights on the air.
I'm the City of New York have
personally made an investigation and
/ find that the signature of a cabinet
officer OF the United States Is worth
anywhere from $4,000 to $500, 900,
quite aside from the physical equip
ment necessary to operate a broad
casting station" Mr.. Ernst said.
Predicts Possible Scandal.
He predicted a public scandal
would come out Of any attempt by
broadcasters to obtain exclusive
wave lengths and then begin trad
ing with view to selling the right
to broadcast.
IF a Government-appointe COM
mission had the power to do to
the newspapers of the United States
what this commission Is enjoined to
do TO broadcasting today. believe
we would see a revolution in this
country" he said.
Mr.. Ernst said that a New York
station consistently forbids Profess
tants to broadcast on religious ques-
tions. that one in New England has
forbidden a speech on the Near East
situation, that Hudson Maxim talked
for one hour before a dead micro
phone and that he can produce be-.
tween SO and 100 illustrations Of
censorship and discrimination by
broadcasting stations.
Sees Free Speech Blow.
"The air is the great intellectual
force of the future" Mr.. Ernst said.
by it individuals and groups Of indi-
viduals can control politics and the
temper Of listeners. II the principle
Of limitation of stations were applied
to newspapers, any commission would
find 1t an impossible task. The prin-
ciple of a free press and free speech
is granted us by the Constitution.
Unless you want the air bottled up
you should create diversity of views
by not permitting one group with one
point Of view to control the air while
some groups are denied any aerial
avenue Of communication"
While Mr.. Ernst did not question
the gfnaafitV of q afCCl Arss
grant licenses to broadcasters without
the idea of censorship, he said. "the
exigencies OF the situation nullify the
provision of the law that free speech
shall not be impaired"
Censorship is the opening wedge
for a dangerous precedent, Mr. Ernst
said. I'VE should adhere closely to
the bill OF rights contained in the
Constitution of the United States"
He said the line between education
and propaganda Is a fine one and said
he did not relish the job of censor
ship.
Fewer Stations Urged.
Drastic reduction In the number of
stations on the air is needed in the
interest of the listening public, Alfred
+. Waller, representing the National
Electrical Manufacturers Association,
told the commission. Less than 200
stations are needed. he said, and those
who had remained on their assigned
wave lengths and did not violate the
"gentleman's agreement" by jumping
to other waves while Government con.
troll or the air was lost, should be
given preferred positions.
This is no time to mince words
or avoid fssues." Mr.. Waller said.
I'VE should exercise business morals
and not issue licenses to those who
have jumped the Canadian wave
bands. In issuing licenses the quality
OF the program and the excellence of
the technical presentation should be
weighed. Too large a number or
broadcasters on the air will jeopardize
the entire group.
should rest on the bedrock Of public
interest. The interests Of the listeners
should be your first consideration. |
Elimination of the unfit will work no
hardship on the listener"
Asks Listeners Be Considered.
The commission should handle sta
tion license issuance in a judicial man.
ner, with the consideration Of the +
listener and the entire community
served by the station at heart, Elisha
L1dA0OAs PACSCAeAt6 tAO <AlICNlGAH
Newspaper Publishers Association
told the commission. Mr.. Hanson.
who is a Washington lawyer, said F
licenses should be granted only Co
those stations which show public con.
venience and necessity.
II am sure you gentlemen are not I
going to allow monopoly OF the air"
he said.
Opening the final days session OF
the four-day hearing, Commissioners
Below said the conference had
reached conclusions of vast impor-
tance on several intricate technical
points and had given the commission
some valuable information. but that
little light had been shed on the prob
lem Of station elimination.
You have told U.S." he said, that
the broadcasting band should not be-
widened. that a 10-kilocycle frequency
separation between stations, except
those close to each other, is satisfac-
tory: that In general shit to fre-
quency ending I'm is desirable, and
that no arbitrary limit to power should
be fixed. But you have given US little
guidance as to how we may reduce
the number of stations. OF course. Il
Is possible TO create limbo or an air
of non-preferential chan
neis to which We would assign stR,
A. -