Evening star., 1929-12-20
Washington Ticker
BY CLINTON COFFIN,
Associated Press Financial Writer.


Since owen D. Young and Mai. Gen.
j. G. Harbord, respectively. chairman
of the board and president OF the
Radio Corporation, proposed 70 Con-
gress last week the withdrawal OF all
legislative bars to uniflcation under a
single system of all types of American
communication with the foreign world.
there has been considerable attention
given the idea by legislators. That
does not mean that there IS no oppoSl-
ton to the program sketched. 1t ooeS
mean that the idea will constitute
something more than minor issue 1or
the present session.
Disregarding detail, Mr.. YoungS pro-
posal is that cables, radio, ana any, any
future established means OF long
distance communication can best be
developed for public service If single
organization directs the whole. Present
legislation in the United States clearly
bans that, and Is based on the theory
that competition between different
means of communication should be
maintained. Principal European coun::
tries, however, maintain no such legal
barriers to linkage OF all forms Oh
communication.
"NeyertheIess, I think there will be
opposition and substantial opposition TO
any merging of radio communication
with cable service" Chairman Couzens
OF the Senate interstate commerce COM
mittee said. IT rather expect some OF
this to come from operating heads OF
the principal American cable interests,
though personally I haven't been told
as to their position. We expect TO near
directly from representatives OF the
Western Union and Postal companies
as to their views.
But aside from the people In the
business, there will also be heard in
dividuals with a general interest who
doubt the advisability of authorizing a
complete fusion. In our committee
hearing where the plan was first
broached, it did not seem to me that
Radio Corporation witnesses were able
to show any substantial point on which
the European competitors In commurl-
cations were hampering American
corporations because of the situation.
We shall get all the viewpoints heard
after the holidays, however"
One of the perennial rail-industrial
controversies seems to be getting reused
again by President Hoover's appoint
ment of r. NJ. Jones of Nashville,
Tenn, to the interstate commerce COM
mittee. That is the difference between
Southern and Northern coal producers
nous rates in Eastern territory, and
particularly the key adjustment, which
bears on shipments of coal to the Great
Lakes for boat distribution through the
center of the country. There has been
a temporary truce for more than year
in the matter, but with a closely bal
anced and highly competitive situation,
in which rate decisions directly deter
mine whether business shall go to
Northern or Southern mines, the con-
test always breaks out again.
Judge Jones' Tennessee origin is
about all that any of those interested
have to suggest against him, and there
has been no open mention of coal is
sues in the matter as yet. Nevertheless,
the Senate is temporarily withholding
his confirmation, and the final roll calls
will probably disclose the varying opin-
ions of the competing coal territory rep
resentativeS on his appointment. Though
the Senate did reject the reappointment
of John j. Esch Of Wisconsin to
the Interstate Commerce Commission
largely because of his votes on lake
cargo coal cases, it would be surpris-
ing if sufficient opposition could be
mustered to reject a newappointee SIM
ply because he comes from a State with
vital interest in particular rate
fight.
The national toy bill for 1929, the
heaviest portion Of which falls due
about Christmas, is estimated by the
Commerce Department to be running
considerably in excess of $100, 100000.
Practically all of this expenditure Is
for the entertainment of American
children, because further estimates
place the amount of expectation of toys
from this country at around $4,000,o00
for the period.
while it is true that the trade may
be considered somewhat seasonal, be-
cause of the heavy Christmas demand"
a departmental discussion of its phrases
says: "Toys are sold throughout the
year. Because of the advent of new
toys which can be used best during
Summer months, such as flying air.
planes, playground amusement devices
and boats, the manufacturers can now
maintain a more balanced schedule
than in former years. The growing air
mindedness of children has brought
about great developments this year of
all air-toy lines"
From July 1 to December 16, Euro