Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-20
RADIO PROBLEMS
STILL UNSOLVED
Commission Seeks Way to
End Deadlock on Reallo-
cation Program.

Seeking way out Of its apparently
hopeless deadlock on q plan for a re-
ALLEGATION of broadcasting stations, In
compliance with the Davis amendment
10 the radio act Directing equal dis
tribution of radio facilities among the
five radio zones. the Federal Radio
Commission is seriously considering q
proposition under which the broaocaSt
spectrum would be left status quo UNI
I'll such time as Congress either has re-
nealed or modified the equalization
provision so as to make ii workable. 1t
/ is learned on high authority that rec
concentrations have been submitted
by Louis G.. Caldwell general counsel
Of the commission. that no attempt be
made to put in effect general reallo-
cation either on September l or any
time in the immediate future. II also
is proposed that the commission an
nounce 10 the public the futility OF at
tempting to enforce a general realloca-
ton that would comply with the Davis
amendment and at the same time pro-
vide good radio.
Caldwell Makes Suggestion.
Mr.. Caldwell recommends that the
commission publish the reallocation on
which Il has come nearest 10 agree
ment as an example of the results TO
which the Davis amendment leads.
This ALLEGATION would become effec-
tive at some fairly remote date, such as
next February l. or after Congress
meets, unless Congress shall have modi-
fled the strict requirements OF the
amendment prior to that time
After this action the commission
prior to February would adopt and
49, Nf nXfFGnaeiV H.
ersl Interpretation of the Davis amend
meut. endesvoring to attain equality
by 2 gradual policy without undue dis
turbance tn existing conditions or undue
hardship upon existing stations The
comn1igston also would Immediately
proceed to the decision of eases heard
under the alleged failure Of public serv-
ice order-some $50 stationa-and dis
pose Of each case in such way as To
get the maximum improvement in the
existing stations with the minimum Of
hardship TO those stations
Davis Amendment Criticized.
The Davis amendment has been sub
lected to much unfavorable criticism.
! II has been assailed AZ unfair because
I il requires that the wave lengths power
/ and licenses shall be divided equally
/ among the five zones regardless Of their
/ respective geographical proportions For
/ example the geographically great South
crn End Pacific zones can be granted
only the same number Of stations and
] pownr as c2n he operated satisfactorily
IN the relatively small and compact
frat zone, comprising New England
New York ans neighbnring States The
/ Pacific zcre. now using 30 different
wave lengths would he reduced 10 70
| fvenuep"fes bensuse the first zone IL
/ nhv7i"sIl" incapable NJ using more than
'b@' number
The commission he's had its troubles
! ~ stferaptinc IN evolve q reRiiocatior
nan s6h"rinn tn the requirements NJ
/ TIC rain act u has bad h@for@ II
/ ~tr"~ thn ~n@otrnent If III" Davis
/ appointment last March some 80 nlans
! htiit th~m IN forn them doun and
1'""or -holed them. hnparentlv tnds"
- IS 70 "'cser 10 agreement than when
= @fS rfcd
Copyright 1928 by Consolidated Press