Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-16
ASK i. S. TO JUDGE
RADIO PROGRAMS
BroadCasters Looking to
Federal Commission to Pass
on Public Demand.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Some day the Federal Government
NAV have to decide just what pro-
grams people want to hear over the
air-at least the conflict Of views
presented TO the Federal Radio Com
mission indicates that a decision is
being compelled on the subject of
what service is performed by radio
stations, in determining their wave
lengths.
The hearings in progress reveal
that stations interested in broadcast
ing religion, others concerned with
advertising their patent medicines,
and still others concerned with Civ
ing entertainment all appeal to the
Federal Radio Commission to enable
them to have such wave lengths as
will give them a wide range of
listeners.
Charges'have been made that radio
monopolies are possible by the system
Of chain broadcasting but NJ. H. Ayles-
worth, president of the National
Broadcasting Co. in his Wednesday
testimony revealed how remote is
such contingency. He pointed out
that his company, which is the largest
of the broadcasting concerns, actually
owns only one station and controls
only one or two others, and that when
a number of stations are announced
on a "hook-up," as happened when
Col Lindbergh's reception in Wash
ington was broadcast. the action of
each station in coming on the chain
was voluntary.
Compared to Newspapers.
In other words, he said the various
stations were like newspapers buying
service from press associations. The
stations are free to accept or reject
the programs offered by the National
Broadcasting Co. These stations deter
mine what they think is interesting to
listeners Just as newspapers deter
mine what is Worthwhile publishing.
There is nothing in it, Mr.. Ayles-
worth said. for the broadcaSting COM
pany at the present time, as its books
will show considerable losses. This is
because the National Broadcasting Co.
does not charge the various stations
the entire cost. as this would be pro
hibitive but offers the programs at a
low enough rate. knowing that the
stations themselves are nonprofit-
making and could not afford to pay
high prices for programs.
Make Up Deficits.
As Mr.. Aylesworth explained it. the
National Broadcasting Co.'S deficits
are made UP by its owners. which con-
sist OF the Radio Corporation of Amer
lea, with so per cent of the stock;
Westinghouse Electric. with 20 per
cent, and the General Electric Co.,
with 80 per cent.
All three concerns are interested in
the wider sale Of radio sets and tubes,
and it has long been recognized by
the radio manufacturer that unless
programs are interesting radio sets
viii, not be bought or retained. To
prove that no monopoly existed. Mr..
Aylesworth pointed out that space on
the air was sold to concerns, like
Kent. which manufacture
sets in competition with the Radio
Corporation. He also offered to
broadcast religious programs at GER
tain hours along with other programs. |
leaving it always to the public to be |
the judge by its letters as to what |
programs it wanted.
Asked to Judge.
In the last analysis, the Federal |
Radio Commission is being asked to
pass judgment on whether the vari.
Gus stations are performing a public
service and that's why the hearings
now going on show the trend of
future discussion on regulating radio
wave lengths.
fCopyright. 1927