New Britain herald., 1928-10-27
CONGRESS FACING
 l RADIO STRUGGLE
Bitter Dispute Over Rsalocadon
 Order Anticipated
By GEORGE H. MANNING

(Washinston Correspondent. N. B. Herald) Washington, D. C.. Oct. 27-The federal radio commissions realloca- ton order, compelling sweeping changes in the alignment of all broadcasting stations on November II, is certain to become the subject of bitter debate in congress during the coming session.
 Millions of radio listeners and more than q score of broadcasters have already registered their pro- tests against the reallocation. Sena- tors and congressman. whose constt- tuents foresee a curtailment of radio service. have joined in the protest and a large number of them have threatened to place the whole mat ter before congress.
 The reaflocation was rendered mandatory by the Davis amendment enacted last spring to the 1927 radio law. The federal radio commission l spent four months consulting the best radio engineering authority and studying the best methods of conn., plying with the new law. Finally. after many disagreements upon im- portant details, plan was evolved and incorporated in an order of the commission on September 10, making a complete reallocation, effective Mo- vember II.
 l It was apparent that several of the large national stations would suffer as a result of the order. Congress had in mind setting aside 25 clear channels for these powerful stations but the commission finally agreed upon 70. Engineers, however, held the view that at least 50 clear chan nels should be set aside to accommo- date the large stations deserving favorable waves.
 East Harshly Treated
 While other parts of the country. particularly the middle west. are destined to lose the full service of @ number of popular stations. that part of the east comprising the first zone will suffer most. The first zone includes all New England, New York. New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware.
 The first zone was allocated eight of the 70 clear channels and New York state, under the method oi computing facilities, was entitled to four of these. Two of these were as- signed to WHAM, Rochester. and WABC, New York. independent sta. tions, and two others to WIZ, New York, and WEAF. New York, so- called trust" stations. There was nc clear channel available for WGY the General Electric company's pow erful Schenectady station, 50 thi. station was ordered to share with KGO. Oakland, Calif.. a wave assign. ed to the fifth zone. limited in oper. alton during the night to such time as was not used by the Pacific coast station on the same wave. 1 WGY Fans Protest
 This gave rise to a stormy protest which may land in the courts be. fore the matter is settled. Thousand, upon thousands of letters. telegram! and petitions have poured into thu commission protesting the curtail ment of WGY's time. Listeners ir New York. Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire have registered their indignation at the commis sion's action. "=
 The General Electric company then filed an application for modi fication of WGY's license. which wa! promptly denied by the commission because 1t did not conform with thu established rules of procedure. Thil was followed by second application coupled with demand for a hear ing in which the state of New Yorl joined.
 A lengthy protest against the re allocation order as it realigns sta tons in the first zone was filed b. Attorney General Albert Ottinger republican candidate for governor ol New York state. The state believei its rights are imperiled and asks ar opportunity to defend them.
 It is doubtful. however. if the commission will grant a hearing or WGY's second application since Louis c. Caldwell. general counse of the commission. has already noti fled owners of the Schenectady sta ton that 1t cannot be considered a. the basis for a hearing.
 New Jersey Waves WrOth
 Tn New Jersey another squabble il hrc v,So~ Ton ro~ionol sta tatfops Aia satisfied with their assignments. ar, contemplating concerted action t get what they are convinced they arr entitled to. Already the status O WOR, Newark's popular station. ha ben challenged. It has been arSaet before the commission that WOF should not be counted in the Nev Jersey quota because 1t broadcast nearly all of it's programs from , studio located in New York city Under the law the station must b charged to the state in which tn studio is located.
 If these New Jersey stations sue ceed in having WOR transferred t New York's quota. additional facili ties will be open to the dissatisfie stations, but New York's already un wieldy situation will be further com plicated. There will be no room fo WOR in New York without com polling one of the stations now aa signed to clear channel a split tim with WOR. If this were attempted another hot fight would be certail