Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-17
COMMISSION HEARS
RADIO WAVE PLEAS
Variety Of Claims Being Aired
Before Federal Session on
New Channels.

By the Associated Press.
Hearings on the wide variety Of claims
of commerce and industry for alloca-
tons of short wave or high frequency
radio broadcasting channels were
opened today by the Federal Radio Com
mission.
The claims of the commercial inter-
ests will be weighed by the commission
against those of the Government to de-
termine the possible interference such
assignments might have on wireless
transmission by the Army. Navy and
other Government agencies operating on
similar wave lengths
In opening the hearings, Commission
er Sykes explained that the commission
would make no disposition of the waves
at this time, but would seek to lay down
general policy for future guidance.
Press Claim Filed.
Maintenance of communication with
exploration groups and expeditions was
given as an advantage of short waves
for news services by L. M. Loeb of the
New York Times.
The public demands instant inforna-
ton concerning important events. he
SAID. and has a right TO receive II.
Broadcasting chains should see the ius-
uce OF this claim. he added.
Inc newspapers are OF equal inpor-
lance with any other group seeking
snort-wave channels. he continued. and
the public has shown. through its In
1erest IN Lindbergh, Byrd and others
the press.
Representatives of domestic and
transoceanic commercial telegram corn
panieS next outlined advantages of
point-to-point transmission of radio
messages over their systems.
Monroe Doctrine" Urged.
j. Donald Haig of the Tidewater
wireless Telegraph Co. OF PHILADELPHIA
advocated Monroe doctrine" for
The companies that have invested
large sums In broadcastinv facilities
should be given first consideration in
assigning short-waye channels. after
emergency needs have been cared for. !"
The telegraph companies have laid
ING groundwork OF communication and
nave served the public well. Charles Il
xnusnes' Jr, SAID In presenting the case
~. Inc Mackay Radio a. Telegraph Co.
e~AAc AS SN0t dQhDHQ 10 yT1nN~
mission OF photographs" Mr., Hughes
said. land 1t Is only by cornbinine the
facilities OF the wire companies tina,
this development can be fully carried
out"
DIR. j. II. Dellinger OF the Bureau az
STANDARDS radio laboratory also gave a
or'eI statement OF the scope OF short
waves. declaring there were approxi 4.
mately 1000 channels available. He
cautioned. however, that careful scrutiny
OF the applications for ALLEGATIONS should
De mace To avoid interference.
Press Revenues Cut.
Newspaper and press service repre-
sentatiyes were the first 10 be heard,
Joseph Pearson. representing the
american publishers committee, de-
ciared that the radio had proved indis-
pensable In the collection and dissent
nation OF news. and that It's usefulness
was increasing, Wire communication
cannot handle the complete news re-
port. he said
John u. Costello. representing the
San Francisco Examiner and Hearst
News Services. said that the point u
point communications by short waves
was experimenting the wire service
which la many cases has been made
quate.
Radio has infringed the field of the
press" he said. Three million dollars
has been spent for radio advertising In
the last 10 months through the broad
casting chain alone. The newspapers
revenue has thus been cut down mate
rally and II seems only fair 10 allow
newspapers 10 Use the radio for news
gathering.