davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-28
WH00WNSETHER?
IS NOT IMPORTANT
Caldwell Tells Radio Audi.
ence Control of Air Is
Immaterial.

'Who owns the ether?" the question
that popular conception has placed FORE
| most among all others involving the
thriving young art Of radio, Is probably
the least important Of the multitude
that must be solved.
This homespun question of radio law
that parlor politicians so often discuss
doesn't mean anything, in the opinion
of Louis c. Caldwell, former general
counsel of the Radio Commission. He
burst the bubble in a talk to the list
eners themselves over network of the
National Broadcasting Co. and in a
general discussion of the status of radio
law and the vast legal field radio has
opened. AS chairman of the committee
on radio law of the American Bar AS
ISOLATION, his talk was one of the series
on Jurisprudence being sponsored by the
association.
Until somebody finds out what the
ether Is, or whether 1t even exists, he
suggested, 1t Is hardly worth while
specializing as to who has title to 1t. So,
he concludes, the future of radio does
not hang on the slender thread of who
owns the ether?" In fact, he stated,
the "ether" exists only In the magma
ton of scientists, and is just hypothe-
sis which is very convenient for the dis
cussion Of electrical phenomena and
light rays.
No One Owns Ocean.
mo one owns the ocean or the air
and yet 1t is possible for a person to
take bottle, fill 1t full of water out of
the ocean and thus make 1t his prop
erty," he said. Likewise, a person can
compress air into a container and make
1t private property. So far, however,
no one has detected any ether with any
of his five senses or caught any and put
it into bottle"
Mr.. Caldwell can foresee dangerous
international entanglements II the
courts recognize that any person or any
nation owned the ether. The so-called
ether extends throughout the universe,
into everybody's home and practically
everywhere. This also is true between
nations, the waves transmitted by sta
lions In this country radiating in all
directions. crossing international bound
aries and defying the abstract SOW
ereignty of other nations. Stations of
other countries similarly are sending
disturbances into the United States.
"Manifestly if any one owns any ether
it isn't doing him much good" he OBJ
serves.
Recounting to the listeners the laws
that regulate the very means by which
his words were being brought to them,
Mr.. Caldwell pictured the many prob
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-28
INAUGURAL. BALL
TO Be BROADCAST
Radio Stations Will Picture
Charity Event Slated
Monday Night.

The inaugural charity ball Is to go on
the air Arrangements were concluded
today to broadcast through radio sta
tons WRC and WMAI. the music and
ceremonies of the affair, to be held at
the Auditorium Monday night. The ra-
dio announcers will tell of the entrance
of the notables attending the ball. the
reception to the Vice President and
visiting governors and the music played
by five orchestraS.
Heads of the three military services
will be paid special honors at the ball,
Mrs. John Allan Dougherty, general
chairman of the ball committee, an
rCunces. The various branches of the
national defense will be represented by
Gen. Charles P. Summerall. chief of
staff. United States Army; Admiral
Charles F. Hughes. chief of operations
of the Navy, and Maj. Gen. John A. Lee
jeune, retiring commandant of the Ma
rine Corps. Each man will be escorted
through lane Of honor, formed by SOL
diers, sailors and marines. the
length of the Auditorium to the stage.
Each will be given the proper number
OF fiourishes by buglers and the service
orchestras will play the established an
thems of the three services Admiral
Hughes and Gen. Lejcune will have
seats on the stage, and Gen. Summerall
will sit in the box of Mr.. and Mrs.
Phillip Rhinelander
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-28

lens that remain to be solved. Almost
daily hearings are held by the commits
sion in which disputes arise as to legal
precedent. and they practically do not
exist.
On many questions, the commission.
its lawyers and the lawyers represent
ing the stations ARE feeling their way
cautiously, trying to find helpful analo-
gies from the rules that govern other
kinds of business and human relations
and to work out principles that will in
sure an enduring foundation for the
developments that are sure to come in
the future" he said.
A glowing tribute to Herbert Hoover
and his relation to radio was paid by
Mr.. Caldwell. mo more fitting conclu-
sion to q talk on radio law could be
made than reference to the optimism
which we may all feel for the future of
radio regulation and radio law during
the next administration" he asserted.
THE great American citizen who be-
comes our President next Monday IS
the same as he who, as Secretary of
Commerce, guided the destinies of radio
so ably and efficiently during the years
preceding the breakdown of the law in
1926. He understands radios problems,
Doth legal and engineering. as few others
do, and the radio world is looking for
ward to his administration with I'M
bounded confidence"
(Copyright, 1929, by the Consolidated Press
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-28
SEN. DILL FAVORS
RADIO DECISION
Court Of Appeals Verdict May
React Against Other Big
Stations.
BY MARTIN CODEL.

Those who oppose high-power broad
casting and nationally cleared channels
for exclusive use by Superpower stations
are citing the decision of the Court OF
Appeals of the District of Columbia in
the WGY case as backing their stand
If their theory is correct the legal de-
ctsion may also react against other
powerful stations on cleared channels
and against the new stations of 10000
watts power or more that have been au-
thorized by the Federal Radio Com
mission.
Such new stations, all of them en-
falling equipment expenditures running
into six figures, have been built or are
now being built in cities like Chicago
Fort Worth, Dallas, Minneapolis, In
dfanapolis. Nashville, Shreveport, At
1anta, Louisville, Charlotte, Raleigh and
Los Angeles. Like WGY, instead of
retaining or obtaining cleared channels
exclusively. these stations may find
themselves occupying wave lengths
simultaneously with other stations using
either high or low powers.
Senator Dill, one of the legislative
leaders who would limit power and re-
serve few or no cleared channels, told
the Senate yesterday that he believed
the court has applied the rule of COM
mon sense" in authorizing the Schenec-
tady station to remain on its present
channel. using $4,000 watts, while KGO,
Oakland, Calf, also stays on the same
channel with 10000. ,..
Admitting that heterodyne whistles
are bound to occur outside the imme-
diate listening areas of the two sta
tions. Senator Dill construed the courts
decision 10 mean that 1t was better. to
have such interference than to limit one
station to evening time on the air only
when the other was of. In other
words, the service needs of the nearby
audiences Of both the New York and
California stations outweigh the dis
turbance that distant listeners might
ind on their mutual wave length.
~ Services More Localized.
Senator Dill said he was. convinced
that broadcasting services are becoming
more and more localized and that only
small minority of listeners tune in
regularly to distant stations. The chief
argument that has been advised for
high power on cleared channels is that
this Is the only way to serve rural and
remote radio listeners consistently
While Senator Dill praised the de-
eision for its apparent blow at the engi-
neertng theory, which generally favors
nigh power and cleared channels, he
told his colleagues in the Senate that
he believed the decision was reversible
because the court rendered it before the
final brief Of counsel for, the Federal
Radio Commission had been submitted
He also interpreted. the decision to mean
that no station has any property or
vested rights in the ether and that all
decisions OF the commission must be
reasonable and in the public interest"
regardless Of theoretical technical de-
raAnds.
Much confusion continued to prevail,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-28

however, regarding the probable effect
of the decision on the basic realloca-
ton plan with its provision for the
equalization of radio facilities among
zones and States. The decision appar-
emily leaves out of consideration the
equalization factor, and Senator Dill
expressed his growing conviction that
the constitutionality of the Davis equal
ization amendment was now open to
grave doubt.
There was also considerable differ
ence of opinion regarding the courts
decision really answers the property,
priority and vested rights questions
raised in the case.
Other Litigation.
Other radio litigation attracted at
tention, while the Senate was turning
its interest to the bill to extend the
life of the Federal Radio Commission.
In the same Court of Appeals, counsel
for the commission moved yesterday to
dismiss the appeals of WENR. Chicago,
owned by the insult Public Utility in
terests; WIS, Chicago, owned by the
Agricultural Publishing Co. and Sears,
Roebuck Co.; WCBD, owned by Will
bur eileen Voliva, Zion City, ILL.,; WNYC.
owned by the city of New York, and
w 4 I'LL, 31A0ldttQ n, IN. LII CdCIk
of these cases, the commission main
tains that the three months license
periods authorized by the radio act
has expired, so that the questions of
appeal from the commissions assign
ments of last November have no effect
on the present rights of the parties.
Complete confidence still prevailed as
the Senate. proceeded to a night session
that the bill to extend the life of the
Federal Radio Commission for another
year would pass, despite Senator
Copeland's insistence that he will not
let it come to a vote unless, compro-
mise is reached whereby the licensing
authority will be given back to the De-
partmept of Commerce not later than
December of this year.
Neither Senator Watson nor Senator
Dill is willing to compromise Both
want the authority extended until
March Is, 1890 Senator Copeland
wants assurance that the commission
will assume appellate jurisdiction be-
fore the Seventy-first Congress begins
its regular session next December. He
demands that the original authority
over radio be vested permanently in
the executive branch of government.
Copyright. 1929. by the North American
Newspaper Alliance)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-28

8 tubes, including rectifer all.
electric, entirely dry New Type
EIectro-DynamicS Speaker. push
pull application built.in
aerial range control full
length CONSOLE CABINET .
four condensers and "Neutro-
dyne-Plus"- TONEplus POWER.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-28

The scene Of the ball practically is
ready for the affair, decorations having
been nearly completed by officers of the
Mayflower, the presidential yacht, work.
ing under the direction Of Capt. Wilson
Brown. chairman of the committee on
decorations. The ticket sale. which be-
gan last Saturday, is moving along sat-
isfactorlly. according to word received
by Roland S. Robbins, chairman of the
ticket committee. -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-28
Flashes From Star
Brings Heavy Mail
From Radio Random

FLASHES From The Evening
Star" daily WMAL feature, has
hundreds of regular listeners In
Washington. Maryland and Vir-
ginia, judging from the volume of
fan mail" received at The Star
office and also at the station.
Flashes From The Evening
Star" Is broadcast every evening
by WMAL from to tbs o'clock.
It is a colorful, unopinionated
presentation of the world news as
gathered by the Associated Press
and The Stars own staff of re-
porters and correspondents.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-28
with NEW TYPE Electro.
Dynamic Speaker

Philco engineers haze perfected the
Dynamic Speaker!.. :. At last, music as
it really is-high notes as we'll as the
pleasing low notes. No unnatural rum.
bling; no blurred notes. Speech clear
and distinct. And tremendous volume
without distortion.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-28
PLANS HUGE STATION.

PRAGUE CP-Czecnosiovakia soon
will claim the most powerful broad
casting stations in Europe. the govern
ment having appropriated nearly $780,
600 to acquire suitable site near
Prague and to purchase the necessary
equipment in the United States.
Two 60-kilowatt stations of the latest
American type will be built.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-28

Puts plum Tree" in Dictionaries,
In Japan the plum is a token of
purity. In France the premier, Ray
mond Poincare, has interviewed to in
sure the word "mirabellier, or plum
tree, a place in the dictionary under
preparation by the French Academy,
says the Christian Science Monitor. 1t
does not exist in the standard French
dictionaries, but it must henceforth be
included as result of his action. The
word Is common enough. in tina prov
inces. where plums are picked in large
quantities,
M. Poincare undoubtedly recalled
some valley in Lorraine, which he knew
as a boy, where the plum trees bios
somed in the Spring and yielded after
ward the delicious, yellow plums to his
picking. His own Lorraine is one OF
the chief growing districts OF
France
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-28
at Volume you can Enjoy F.!

"On Phico regularly entire from
stations Last evening enjoyed delightful FOCAL program from
KFH Los Angeles rch
HARRY BROWN Bristol Penna
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-28

nISTANCE, to Philco owners,
~ means much more than strain
ingtocatch faintca letters. Philco,
through its super-pouer, brings in
distant programs at uolume you
can enjoy. Philco owners repeat
edly tell of entire programs thou
sands of miles away which they
have enjoyed with clear and en-
joyable volume.
Location, of course, does make
a difference. But even where re-
ception is most difficult, owners
praise the Philco for its power to
overcome obstacles that battle other
sets. And where conditions are
good, Philco makes amazing per.
formance records.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-28

Woman clerks and stenographers In
London are taking up rowing to keep
down their figures.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-28
Visit any
PlnilcO Dealer

The Philco is now on display at all
Philco dealers. See it! Hear it! Ask
about their free home demonstration,
easy payment offer.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-28
Major "Chain" Features
TONIGHT.

4ONlINt.
8:30-Sentinels: popular airs
WEAF, WEEP, WIFI.
WRC. WGY, WGR.
WCAE, WTAM, WWJ.
WGN, WHAS, WSM,
WSB, WHIT.
9:00-Aunt and Uncle: on Col.
Higbee's tation-
WABC. WAN, WNAC,
WEAN, WFBL, WKBW,
WCAO, WAS, WADC,
WKRC, WGHP. WSPD,
Wink, WLBW, WMAL.
9:30-House concert. the ultra
modern opera-WJZ, WBZ,
VIDAL, WHAM, KDKA,
WJR, WLW, KYW,
WHAS, WSM, WSB,
WHIT, WAX, WRVA.
10:00-Old Counselor; fireside
entertainment - w EAT,
WEEP, VITO. WAR,
WTAG, SH. WIFI.
WRC, WGY. WGR,
WCAE, WI, KYW,
WHAS, WSB, WHIT.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-27

ing the flag dedication exercises ar
ranged by the American Gold Star
Mothers at the Hamilton Hotel Tues
day. October IS. Oswald c. Barber,
baritone, sang Columbia, the Gem OF
the Ocean," accompanied at the piano
by Mary Bumpus.
Gertrude Lyons. lyric soprano, sang
for the opening session of the Supreme
Council of the thirty-thirdN and last
degree of the Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite Of Freemasonry for the
Southern Jurisdiction of the United
States of America last Monday. This
was the fifth biennial session that this
honor has been bestowed upon her. She
has the distinction of being the only
woman who has ever been ushered into
the council chamber during a session.
The selection out of Night the Bugle
Blows" was first sung in 1919, when
Mrs. Lyons sang at the request of the
late composer. who played the organ
played the cornet solo and obbligato,
while w. H. Walker played the echo,
written for the trumpet, and Harry G.
Kimball oficiated at the organ.
Mrs. Joseph M. Stoddard, president:
Father Linkins. past president, and Karl
I1oler, treasurer, of the District of Co
lumbia Federation of Music Clubs. with
Frances Gutelius, chairman Of junior
work, and Gertrude Lyons. first vice
president of the District of Columbia
Federation and chairman of educa-
tional music of the Women's City Club,
entertained Mrs E. ]. Getaway, national
president of the Federation of Music
Clubs, at luncheon at the Women's
City Club last Monday. when Mrs. Otta-
way stopped over in Washington for
few hours en- route from New York to
her home in Port Huron, Mich.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-27
FIVE LEGAL CASES
INTEREST AUTO|STS
Fight on California Gasoline
Tax One of Importance to
Large Number.

Five novel and important cases, az
fecting more or less directly every mo-
torist in the United States. are now
pending in the United States Supreme
Court, according to a digest prepared
by the legal department of the Ameri-
can Motorists Association. Decisions III
each of the five cases are expected at
the present term of the court
From the standpoint of affecting the
largest number of motorists, the attack
on the legality of the California gaso-.
line tax Is probably the most important
Of the five pending cases, declares the
A M. A. statement. In the suit 1t Is
contended that the tax is toll and
therefore unconstitutional This is the
first time that the question has ever
been taken to the United States ST.
preme Court, although it has been pass
ed upon by the supreme courts OF sew
eral States and involves the collection
Of approximately $450,000,000 annually
in gasoline taxes.
One of the most novel of the five
cases, the A. M. A. digest points out, is
the so-called "blow-post" case from
Georgia. A State statute provides that
engineers on all trains upon reaching
each blow post" must give two long
and two short blasts at five-second in
tervals to warn motorists at crossings.
A motorist was injured because of the
failure of an engineer to blow his wills
tie as prescribed. damages being sought
because of the railways failure to COM
ply with the statute. The railway con-
tests the constitutionality of the State
statute on the ground that it is an I'M
due burden on interstate commerce.
Under existing laws and decisions in
most States, a motorist is held finan-
cially responsible for the safety of his
guests riding with him. Application OF
the rule has worked hardships on thou
sands of motorists. To remedy this the
State of Connecticut passed an act
which provides that person who rides
In an automobile with the owner shall
not have a right of action against the
owner in case of injury unless such
accident shall have been intentional or
caused by heedleSSneSs or reckleSSneSS."
A wife, injured while riding with her
husband, who carried insurance. was de-
MED the right to recover as a result OF
the Connecticut. statute. Her appeal to
the United States Supreme Court chal-
1enges the constitutionality Of the State
statute.
The legal liability of the motorist is
also involved in a case from Ohio sub
n1itted to the Supreme Court. The mo-
toriSt'S policy of insurance contained
provision that the insurance company
would not be liable If an accident &C.
Cured while the car was being operated
by a person under the age limit fixed
by law. A city ordinance of Lakewood,
Ohio. made it unlawful to operate q
motor while under Is years of age. The
operator. at the time Of the accident.
was but II years of age. The insurance
company resisted payment under the
policy, on the ground that the provi-
sions Of the policy were not complied
With and, therefore. 1t could not be held
scribed a minimum age limit of 10
years.
The last question, likewise of vital In
tsrest IN a minor group of motorists,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-27

Washington from Pittsburgh, and ex-
poets to make her home here again.
Mrs. Munhall is a lyric soprano, and
already has engagements to sing in
New York and Baltimore, as well as in
Washington. She has broadcast twice
recently, and returns to New York
again November / for other engage
ments. She plans to spend several days
each week in that city. This month
Mrs. Munhall has been singing in the
Georgetown Presbyterian Church, where
she was soloist when living here earlier
Tuesday she sang at the concert given
in the residence of Mrs. E. j. Deeds for
the benefit of the Blessed Sacrament
Church, in Chevy Chase. Edward DON
ovan was the accompanist.
Lucia Maxwell McQueary, soprano,
sang MY Country's Flag" accompanied
at, the piano by Mary Sitz Parker, dur
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-27

Seminary, Maryland, october 10. She
presented another recital program Oc-
tober 10 at the Pennington School for
Boys, near Trenton. Tuesday she gave
a recital for the Woman's Club of Lans-
downe, Pa. and Thursday a recital in
Philadelphia. Mrs. Lawson returned to
Washington Friday.
Elena de Sayn gave an impromptu
musical program in honor of the presi-
dent of the Washington College of Music
and Mrs. Hugh Roberts and Emanuel
Zetlin at her residence recently. A
number of prominent musicians were
present. A violin and piano sonata was
played by Miss De Sayn and Miksa
Merson. Violin solos we're given by
Miss De Sayn and Mr.. zetlin, and they
gave a concerto for two violins. with
Henri Schmidt Gregor at the piano.
Marguerite Munhall has returned to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-27

arose in the District of Columbia and
involves the right of a motorist to OPP
crate a car after his operators permit
has been revoked. The operator resided
in the District of Columbia. and after
numerous convictions had his permit
revoked He moved to Virginia and
continued to drive his car in the Dis
trict of Columbia under a Virginia OPP
orators permit He was arrested in the
District, convicted in lower court and
appealed. The Court of Appeals set
aside the conviction as being unlawful,
whereupon the District appealed the
case to the United States Supreme
Court
Zach of the decisions has a far
reaching effect on motorists of the
country, and the United States Supreme
Courts decision in each case will be
of great interest to all motorists" de-
clares Thomas j. Keefe. general man
ager of the A. M. A.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-27
Musigraphs
Continued FROM Fourth page.)

Continued From Fourth Page)
musical teas at her studio, 1910 YER
mont avenue. recently. The program
was presented by Mrs. Raymond B.
Dickey, violinist; Helen Colhoun, reader,
and Mrs. B. D. Shreve, soprano. Mrs.
Turley also gave two groups Of songs.
Hazel Terrell Adair was accompanist.
The Institute of Musical Art, Inc,
has a weekly Addition Hour" at
which time students who are prepared
present their selections before the fac
ulty. These meetings are attended by
the pupils of the institute, their parents
and friends. 1t was gratifying to OBJ
serve at the close Of last season that
the pupils who participated in the pro-
grams gained in confidence and poise.
The Symphony Orchestra of the
institute, directed by Dr. Christiani, has
resumed regular rehearsals, and has
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-27
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY.

Every eighth man you meet on the
street is directly employed in either the
automobile or petroleum industry.
There are total of 5,306,138 workers
in the United States to whom gasoline
and the automobile mean bread and
butter, according to report just made
public here by the American Research
Foundation.