Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-22
EDUCATORS URGE
AID FOR NEW LAW
Teachers and Pupils Asked
to Press Congress for
Radio Measure.
BY MARTIN CODEL.

A sort Of clarion call to American
educators and to the public at large is
sounded in the current Journal Of the
National Education Association, which,
after calling attention to the educators
demand to Congress for is per cent of
the radio channels, asks that teachers
and children write to their Representa-
tives in Congress urging this important
legislation"
Study of radio is urged with a view
not only to promoting this "conserva-
| tive measure" but also Of influencing
present radio programs. After suggest
| ing various radio subjects for class room
discussion, including the proposed ex-
elusive and permanent assignment OF
1871 Of the 90 American broadcasting
channels to education, the article goes
on to say:
Chance for Betterment.
eff once each week every radio lis
tener would write one letter Of praise
and letters Of protest as needed to radio
stations to which he listens, conditions
would tend to improve. It Is a good
class exercist TO have each child write
an actual t. ter of each Of these types
based on tie programs to which ne has
listened. It Is a good plan to discuss
in the school the program to which
children listen at home, giving special
attention to programs which deal with
current events, particularly addresses by
civic leaders and statesmen. No child
should be allowed to miss the great
events of history which are now avail
able on the radio"
A service bureau for the National
Committee on Education by Radio, OF
which Joy Elmer Morgan Of the Ma
| fQ
man, has been opened in the National
Press Building here, with Armstrong
Perry as director. Recently the COM
| mittee received a donation OF 5000,
| 900 from the Payne Educational Fund
to campaign for enactment OF the bill
setting aside IS per cent Of the chan
nels which has been introduced by Sen
ator Fess of Ohio, chairman of the Re-
publican National Committee.
Opposition Of Broadcasters.
Commercial broadcasters, especially
the National Association of Broadcast
ers, are opposing the measure, mas
much as its enactment would inevitably
require the elimination Of many sta
tons, in view of the already over
| crowded condition of the wave lengths
Though the Federal Radio Commission
has not taken any stand on the edu-
Gators proposal. Chief Examiner YoSt,
! in the course of a recent public hear
ing, took occasion to remark that the
educators can secure all the time they
need and can use from already exist
| ing stations. This Is also the attitude
| of Commissioner Lafount, who would
require commercial broadcasters, as a
condition of their Federal licenses, to
reserve a given proportion of their
time-possibly Is per cent-for educa-
tional uses.
If they procure the channels, the
educators propose to establish stations
in each State to furnish educational
programs exclusively. Opponents Of
their scheme call attention to the fact
that legislative appropriations will be
needed which have not been assured
Moreover, they say, the public does not
want educational programs throughout
the day and evening. They point out
that the educators propose going into
radio without having tested the posi-
bilities of talking motion pictures
which are even better adapted fol
school room purposes.