The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-04-11
Controlling the Mind of America

Popular opinion often portrays the Caesars the
Popes, and the Cars as enjoying almost complete
control over the minds Of in their realms and
ages. But it is not exaggeration to say that
Augustus, Innocent III, or Alexander III ever
possessed the potential power to control and mould
the human mind which lies in the hands of two
Americans and the groups which stand behind them.
They are Will Hays of the Motion Picture Pro-
ducers and Distributors Of America and M. II. Ayles-
worth of the National Broadcasting Company.
The latter can be analysed on the basis of two
articles contributed to the Christian Century by Paul
Hutchinson, Let it be said at the outset that this
is not from standpoint Of seeing red" or alleging
anything sinister 1t simply is pointed out from an
important series of facts and their implications.
There is no doubt that the radio vies with journal
ISM organized education, and the movies a leading
factor in shaping American opinion today. How
about the freedom of the air.?
There are ninety air channels over which programs
may be broadcast in the country today. But forty
of these are cleared not being used by any other
station at the time Twenty-eight of these are con-
trolled by stations on N. B. c. chains
Only two are open to stations not on any chain.
This in spite of the fact that there are Gil licensed
broadcasting stations altogether and only seventy
four on B. c. chains The N B. c. asserts exclusive
right to furnish the programs on N B. c. chain
stations.
The N B. G. enjoys still further advantage,
namely, in the vastly greater power assigned to its
stations The average for each of its seventy-four
stations is 1O.257 watts, while that for the 400 indie
& pendents is 566 watts giving N B. c. more than
twice the power Of all independents and fourteen
! times as many cleared channels.
The only significant competition with N. B. c. is
the Columbia Broadcasting System. owning thirteen
cleared stations. and it is alleged that these two
great chains are linked through movie vaudeville,
and banking interests. Behind N. B. C. stands the
Radio Corporation of America, and behind R. c. A.
stands General Electric, Westinghouse and A. T. &
T. Behind these stand great bankers, Of whom the
House of Morgan is dominant.
Now there is great advantage in this concentra-
ton OF radio power and efficiency 1t certainly nsures
better programs. But this should not be gained at
fthe expense of the freedom of opinion.
Thus far there is no adequate guaranty that the
latter can and will be secured The independents are
pitifully impotent and inconsequential The matter
is wholly in the hands of N. B. c. and the other
chains. Essentially it down to ~ B. c. policy.
/. Mr.. Aylesworth has stated that he will allow
Representatives OF various sides to controversial ques
tons to have to N. B. G. programs, but they
must be official and representative
In other words, William Green and Matthew Vol
may speak for organized labor, but not A. j. Music
or Sidney Hnlman. But who solennly could maintain
that Green or Vol stand for American labor in any
general or intelligent sense today?
N. B. Q. has an advisory council to determine what
material and speakers are representative but
Dwight Morrow is by all odds the most liberal men,
Der. Where Newton Baker Walter Lippmann
Roger Baldwin, John Dewey Norman Thomas A j
Music Arthur GARFIELD Hays. John Haynes Holmes,
& Amos Pinchot and others who might represent
liberal attitude?
No one asks for the presence of w z. Foster and
his like though there are several reactonares on the
council comparable to him for extreme views
s Without any indignation or shrieking whatever
. the core OF the situation is clear enough. N B. c.
and n G. A. most effectively can exclude dissenting
opinion from the air But they can not alter the
actual facts in the economic. social and political
scheme In the United States.
This latter ultimately will control practical action
in our country we have two alternatives: ID Full
knowledge of facts. free discussion from different
angles Of opinion, constant readjustment and peace
ful settlement; CD deceit denial sulen resentment
and final resort to force and revolution
The masters Of the air hardly are vigorous pro-
ponents of blood and revolt Hence the logical con-
sion should be obvious =
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