Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-23
FEARS ON RADIO
CENSUS ALLAYED
Officials Deny Rumors Tax or
Charge for Programs
Contemplated.

Any fear harbored by the public that
the purpose Of the radio receiving set
count being taken as part Of the
census is to tax owners of sets, as is
done in practically all other countries,
is allayed by Federal officials here.
1t is emphatically stated that the
reason for including the solitary ques-
ton: Have you a radon" IN the
QUESTIONABLE is to get information on
the distribution of sets over the country
to aid the Federal radio authorities in
justly allocating facilities to serve the
maximum number Of listeners. More
over, it will provide an index of the
American standard of living, it is said
Census enumerators, who only this
month began their Nationwide nose
count, have reported difficulty in get
ting this question answered. There
seems to be prevalent the view that a
tax will be levied to defray the costs
Of administering radio, or perhaps to
charge for programs.
Secretary of Commerce Lamont,
Chairman Charles NICK. Saltzman of
the radio commission, and Senator Dill
of Washington, sponsor of radio legis-
lation, unite in denial Of this wide
spread rumor. They say 1t is totally
unfounded, and declare the count will
benefit listeners, through improved and
more equitable distribution of radio
stations and power so that areas with
the greatest radio population" will be
accorded facilities commensurate with
their requirements.
Besides the tax trouble, considerable
controversy has been provoked as to
why the radio question was favored by
inclusion in the QUESTIONABLE, and all
other industries and products disre-
garded. Manufacturers of 40 different
articles tried to get similar treatment
to ascertain how extensively their pro-
ducts were used, but without avail. As
matter of fact, the radio question was
ruled out by Congress, but put back
in by the Census Bureau when the
questioEnaireS were drafted.
That the radio industry will be
benefited greatly is evident. There will
be available precise information on the
number OF sets in use, and their dis
tribuation by regions. The only figures
now available are in the nature of eSti-
mates which are little short of guess
work Latest estimates place the num-
Der of receiving sets at some 100000
The Radio Manufacturers Associa-
ton, OF course, has Endorsed the pro-
ject from the start. It wanted two ques-
tons asked, however. To supplement
the set inquiry, the association sug-
gested that it be learned whether the
set, If any, was tube or a crystal re-
ceiver. In that way it would be ascer-
tanned whether the set was obsolete OF
modern.
But these commercial benefits, Secre-
tary Lamont and Senator Dill assert
are purely incidental to the main OBJ
jectives. The radio commission has M
precise information as to radio popula'
ton" and consequently cannot ac-
curately gauge the listener coverage Of
stations
1.-The data obtained by the census OF
radio will be of greatest possible bene'
At to the commission in allocatinl
broadcasting facilities" Chairman Saltz
man said. I'VE will have yardsticl
by which to measure the radio audience
in every locality and will be enabled
to allocate wave lengths and power &C
cordingly, within the limitations OF tn
law"
Concurring in this view. Senator Dill
said complete and reliable statistic
will be extremely valuable as an ai(
TO a just ALLEGATION of radio facilities
"Radio is rapidly growing industr!
in which Is involved distinct public
interest and very important publ
rights" he added. There are, a
GTery one knows, only limited numbe
Of channels for broadcasting. If tn
census figures disclose that a givel
district has only a few radio receiving
is no general interest in radio, thel
there would be no reason why radi
facilities should be allocated to tina
district at the expense of some othe
where there was very lively interes
in. radio and large number Of re
aceiving SETS"
CfCopyright 1880, by the Consolidated Press.