The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-02-14


Uacle with problem in paternal regulation and
discipline which, literally, bids fair to keep him
awake nights.
This youngster, none other than Young Radio,
arrived at a husky maturity in few years which
normally would have brought him at most to
adolescence, has, admittedly, outstripped the
family provision for his development. AS re-
suit, he's bursting out of bounds both mentally
and physically, and one of the really important
jobs facing the national family council, which
in this case is Congress- is to plan for his future
regulation and disciplining on grown-up basis.
AS an infant, Radio was rather unceremoni-
ously turned over to the Department of Com
merce for whatever nursing and care seemed
necessary. His walls and squawks, however,
soon grew vociferous that special tutelage and
direction seemed necessary. So the child was
transferred to the authority of a special Com
mission instructed to guide his behavior. Linn
ltations, however on Commission authority, and
uncertainty as to how Congress would regard
strict disciplinary measures, have resulted in a
situation that presages a further Congressional
family council ON his future control.
Preparatory to this, the recent special session
Of the Senate, just prior to its adjournment,
adopted resolution directing the Radio Com
mission to transmit to that body detailed
analysis of the entire radio broadcasting set-up
in effect today. Senator Sackett, of Kentucky
who introduced the resolution, said it was de-
signed to provide Congress with full information
as to existing radio conditions in order that
proper consideration might be given legislation
to meet newly revealed needs.
Present plans for future radio control provide
for the ultimate transfer of regulation to Com
munications CoAmssion, with power over radio,
telegraph telernnne and electric transmission,
similar to that now exercised over railroads by
inf cfafn
providing for this commission has been intro
duced by Senator Couzens, of Michigan, and an
effort will be made to advance its status in the
present session Of Congress-. There are indica-
tions that it has administration support and that,
ultimately, some such set-up will be accom-
plished. .
In the meantime, however, it is through the
Radio Commission that Congress must continue
to deal with the problems of radio In its con-
sideration of conditions to be met the problem
of rural radio promises to play an increasingly
important part. Under this heading comes both
the sort of programs that are available to folks
on the farms throughout the country and the
degree of satisfaction with which these pro-
grams can be received in farm homes.
In an attempt to equalize broadcasting facil-
tiles and to insure an even distribution of sta
tions and programs, the Commission late in 1928
put into effect a reallocation of power and wave
leuBLnS LOT all SldlIOHS. II dlSO ISSoINSu dS
cleared channels" forty wavelengths which
were assigned to single stations equipped to pro-
vide national broadcasts. These cleared chan
nels" were assigned equally among the five
zones into which the country has been divided
forapurposes of radio administration.
The status of these cleared channels" is one
which seems certain to occupy much of the time
Of both Congress and the Commission Are they
good or bad? Have they helped or hindered the
development of real radio service to the coun-
try?sE
On these questions there is wide divergence
of opinion. A proposal to increase the number
of cleared channels" to fifty. supported by two
members of the Commission, is countered by a
proposal to reduce their number to twenty, sup
ported likewise by two Commissioners.
The public's real preference on this question
has not been made sufficiently definite to con
vince a majority of the Commission either way
In this situation an expression from listeners
particularly listeners on the farms and isolated
sections, would be of real help to the Commits
sion. Letters on this subject should be ad