Evening star., 1928-03-01
RADIO SITUATION
MORE ENSNARLED
Breach Widens Between
Commission and Con-
greSS.

Preclpitated by Commissioner Q. H.
Caldwel's letter vigorously criticizing
the equal distribution" clause in the
House radio bill, a widening breach is
developing between Congress and the
Federal Radio Commission. It threat
ems to involve the unsettled radio situ-
alton in a Seething maelStrom Of Sec
f!onal dissatisfaction. cndanGering the
nominations of the unconfirmed COM
miSsloncrs and possibly throwing the
whole task into the hands of Secretary
Of Commerce Hoover on March Is
Senator Din. father of the radio law.
Is now avowedlv opposing Mr.. Cald-
wells confirmation. which was voted
favorably several weeks ago by the Sem
ate committee on interstate commerce,
along with those Of Commissioners
PicSard and Lafount While having a
good word for Commissioner Lafount
because Of what he praises as the Utah
mans "aegressiveness" in proceeding
10 effect improvements in the far
Western zone. Senator Dill says he
thinks there should be housecleaning
Ii the commission.
Holding Up Action.
The Senate is holding up action on
the nominations pending passage of
supplementary radio legislation de-
signed primarily TO extend the Radio
Commission another year The Senate
bill cuts short the terms of the pres
ent members. however, after the year.
The House bill contains the clause
designating an equal distribution of
stations. wave lengths and powers to
the respective radio zones into which
the country is divided
Senator Pittman. Nevada. is lined up
with Senator Dill in opposition to the
commission. which is charged with
"loafing on the Job" The commission,
except for the Western State changes.
has taken 10 affli NATIVE action penang
further legislation upon recommended
tion Of Judge Sykes, lis legal adviser
and its only confirmed member.
Representative Davis, Tennessee,
vigorously maintaining inequitable
treatment Of the South at the hands of
the commission, Is charging Mr.. Cald-
well with attempting to dominate the
situation. 1T remains to be seen."
said he. whether Mr.. Caldwell. and
those for whom he is speaking and
for whom he has been acting, will be
able 70 arroganuy dictate to Congress
legislative policy
Zones Compared.
Mr. Davis points out that Commits
6ioner Caldwell's first zone comprising
New England and Northeastern States,
includes 1873 stations with an aggregate
of 2l3.055 watts. or 35.3 per cent of all
the station power. This he compares
with zone 2. with lis stations. having
1lS,8o5 watts. or 1884 per cent of ali
the power In use. Zone has l02 sta
t!ons. with 47.lo5 watts, or 7,8 per cent
Zone has 2l5 stations. with l64,870
watts. or 27.3l per cent. Zone S has
n "a
per cent.
Refuting Commissioner Caldwell's es-
Inmates as TO the distribution of radio
sets, MFR. Davis finds that 242 per cent
OF the receivers IN use are In the first
zone, 2l.04 per cent in the second, 1897
In the third. 25.0l in the fourth and
1911 in the fifth If better treatment
Is accorded stations in the third zone
50 that 1t can ge. proper reception. Mr.
Davis maintains there will BE- a large
and immediate increase in the use of
receiving sets there.
The United States Marine Band. the
Hoover Sentinels and the Clicquot Es-
kimos win provide the principal attrac-
tons tonight Of WRC The band con-
cert. which will be broadcast from the
Marine Barracks, features Beethoven's
~Lenore" overture The chief selection
OF the Sentinels viii be Victor Herbert's
Rose Of Algeria" Jerome Kern's pop
ular Wild Rose" from Sally" and
~Oh. Maybe It's You." viii be other
selections
The Smith Brothers and Dorsch's
Doughboys are among WRC's other at
fractions. The former will be heard In
o program OF vocal and instrumental
solos. The Doughboys will play for a
half an hour. beginning al $50 o'clock.
The Hawaiian Melody Bows. consist
ing OF Melvin Henderson. Clinton NJ.
Rollins. Charles Baum and Wood.ille
Brown. headline the musical attrac-
tons scheduled tonight by WMAL. Les
GOWN and his Columbians will open
the program with supper dance music.
The subsequent musical features include
solos by Carl Caul and Harry Angelica.
baritones. and joint recital by Mildred
Hampton Eree!, contralto, and Charles
AaTbury Seaman, basso.
The weekly Duo Art concert and
ODonneil's half hour OF music make I'D
the evening program Of WRHF. which
vii be broadcast from To Z o'clock.
The former attraction will open the
program and viii continue for a half an
hour.