Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-10
TWO Ex-MEMBERS
RAP RADIO BOARD
Facilities Impaired by Power
Limit, Caldwell Charges
at Hearing.
BIZ ROBERT MACK.

The entire surviving alumni Of the
Federal Radio Commissioned Com
missioners o. H. Caldwell, Henry A.
Bellows and Sam Pickard-have APP
peared before that body this week 10
impress upon 1t the merits Of high
power for broadcasting stations, and
two OF these former commissioners were
original members of that body when 1t
was created in 1927 to reclaim radio
from squeaB and heterodynes, while the
third, Packard, was the commissions
first secretary and then succeeded to
commissionership.
There was irony in this situation.
The present membership of the COM
mission heard itself criticized, and In
no uncertain terms, for its present
stand to restrict power on exclusive
channels by the only living ex-mem-
bers OF that body. Bellows and Pick
ard appeared as broadcasters, for both
are vice presidents Of the Columbia
Broadcasting System now. Caldwell,
the stormy petrol Of radio. now is an
editor OF independent electrical Jour-
mails in New York.
Impairment Is Charged.
It was from Caldwell that the COM
mission heard itself berated for out
rageous impairment Of the Nations ra-
TGpEG1GISlOlG
tices and for "mutilating and injurine"
broadcasting service for the listeners.
Always confirmed advocate of high
power, Mr.. Caldwell appeared before
the commission voluntarily. He called
absurd" the commissions order which
limits the present maximum power Of
$4,000 watts to only 20 Of the 20 cleared
or exclusive channels reserved for high
power. Rather than restrict broad
"a ~.
which Is capable Of overriding static
and serving vastly increased audiences,
he insists that It should demand the
use OF highest possible power"
But $4,000 watts, or IS horsepower,
- little enough to use on cleared or
exclusive channels" he said. Rather
stations should be encouraged to 40
70 even higher powers, 100000 watts.
100000 watts. which are now entirely
feasible"
Policy Called IndefensibIe.
Admonishing the commission that its
duty Is to shape the radio structure
as to give strong, clear signals for every
home in the land, Caldwell asserted
that II the commission continues in its
present 'indefensible policy Of limiting
power on cleared channels, I charge
that It is overlooking its sworn duty, is
sunny VA bAAC xAA1ob OutIhkEOu6 Il1l-
pairment Of the Nations radio facilities
and is mutilating and injuring this
great service, which the taxpayers are
paying It $900, 900 year to administer"
He said the restriction on high power
deprtves millions of citizens who live
on farms and in small towns Of the
clear, satisfactory radio signals to which
they are entitled. And it requires mil
lions Of others to spend money I'M
necessarily on the purchase Of expen-
sive radio sets to bring in the weak sig
mails Of distant low-power stations"
as well Is to waste the time and money
Of the broadcasters and the commission
at hearings In washington.
Power and power only can drive
strong, sharp signals through the racket
and roar OF Summer interference" said
Caldwell. Power, and more power Is
the answer to the farmers plea for
better radio service"
tcopyrisht. 1880. by the Consolidated Press.)