Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-25
RADIO COMMISSION
SALARIES ASSURED
Controller General Approves
Transfer of 5000 From
Commerce Department.

The sun is shining again for the
Federal Radio Commission and the ra-
do destinies of the Nation are safe for
another month at least.
aAfter mature consideration, Controller
General j. r. McCarl, who holds Uncle
Sans purse strings, has approved
transfer of SOS, 900 from the Commerce
Department to the commission. Thus
the as commission employees are as
sured of their pay for next month.
Neglected last year when Congress was
providing appropriations for the various
Federal activities, the commission had
only $500 with which to meet Decem-
ber's pay roll of $4,000.
Last Monday Controller General Nc
Carl ruled against the transfer OF funds.
He said the proposition was unlawful as
proposed. The commission was crest
fallen 1t meant that unless the funds
were in some way provided, the entire
force, from general counsel to meSsen-
| ger, would be without salary.
New Proposal Substituted.
But the following day a committee
representing the commission talked over
the situation with the Controller Gen
eral and his aides. A new proposal
citing other legal authorities, was sub
that the transfer is approved.
It was apparently mere technicality
which caused the Controller General to
disapprove the first request. At least,
that's the explanation made at his
once. The new opinion has not yet
been made public. Under the general
accounting Office procedure they are held
In confidence for two days and then
released.
Immediately after McCarl announced
his adverse decision there was decided
reaction on Capitol Hill. Senator Dill
OF Washington, radios stanch advocate
in the upper body, said that II the
transfer was not finally approved by
the Controller General, Congress would
pass a resolution authorizing it. Men,
bers of the appropriation committees In
both houses were equally forceful.
In any event, there now Is no occasion
for congressional action on the none
tary end of things. but there Is con-
siderable Importance with respect to
the continuance of the commission as
radios administrative authority. On
December 81 the commission, under ex-
listing law, would pass out Of existence
99 the licensing authority, but would
, become merely the appellate body. The
Commerce Department again would as
geime the control that it held over all
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On 1927.
Preliminary Gesture Taken.
The first preliminary gesture toward
the enactment of the new radio legisla-
ton has been taken by Congress. The
Senate adopted q resolution asking the
commission for a complete analysis Of
existing broadcasting set-up. Although
&c Is conceded that the commission Will
be continued until such time as Con-
gresS enacts permanent legislation to
govern communication generally, the
resolution Is plainly q move to check
up on the commissions work pursuant
70 the Davis equalization amendment.
The Davis amendment provides for
the equal distribution of radio facilities
among the five radio zones into which
the country Is divided and among the
States, based on population. Although
&c promulgated sweeping reallocation
last year, the commission has not adj
hcred to the letter of that law. And
there likely will be fireworks in the
Senate when the report is submitted,
because up to this time it never has
been disclosed just how the zones COM
pare with one another as to facilities.
But it is safe to say they are far from
being equalized. The reportds requested
BY December IS.
copyright, 1929 by the Consolidated Press.5