Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-11
REV. BOB SAULER
WINS RADIO PLEA
Examiner Backs Renewal,
but Holds Some of Broad
casts "IndiScreet."
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Ellis A. Yost, chief examiner of the
Radio Commission, today recommended
renewal of the license of Station KGEF,
Trinity Methodist Church South, Los
Angeles, operated by Rev. Bob Shuler.
Yost held the public interest would
be served by granting DR.. Shutters re-
newai application, but expressed the
opinion the minister had been Eek
tremely indiscreet in some OF his
broadcssts."
The commission, in recess until Fall,
has yet to pass on the examiners rec
ommendation.
Evidently broadcasts were made by
him tShuler) before investigation and
inquiry to determine the correctness OF
such broadcsSts," Yost said.
"The practice of reflscting upon the
character Of citizen, based solely on
rumors and unverified reports, resulting
in injury both to the business and rep
utation OF such citizen, is indefensible
Injury or injustice by reason OF a
radio broadcast may be irreparable. Un-
just attacks upon religious denomina-
items increase religious prejudice and
arouse community strife and antagon-
nisn: unwarranted criticism OF the
courts and public officials tend to de-
stroy confidence of the people In free
government, and are against public
interest"
Case Reviewed in Detail.
The report pointed out that broad
casting license docs not confer upon
any one the right or privilege to broad
cast any false, slanderous or hbelous
matter and said any abuse OF the
e. lawr Ia NaanCn
would weigh heavily against the license
upon the question of renewal.
The 24-page opinion reviewed the
Shuler case In detail 1t said the station
represented an investment OF $43,250,
OF which sum $4,000 was a gift to DR..
Shuler. The station was held his per-
sonal property, verbally leased to the
church.
The examiner reported that it was
apparent to him that DIR. Shuler and
great many people within the area
served were convinced that his broad
casts had rendered distinctive public
service. and that 1t was "just as ap-
parent that great many people within
that area are equally convinced these
hroadcasts have been against public IN
terest"
"It appears that Dr. Shuler is free To
wholly determine the matters broadcast
by him" the examiner said, adding the
400 persons composing the member
snip of the church were "a unit In sup
porting his radio broadcast.
The examiner said he believed the
church congregation to be representa-
tive of the good citizenship OF Los An
geles.
Churcll's Statement Cited.
He said further that various church
examinations had insisted that the
broadcaSts had urged upon the pubic
a strict compliance with law. honesty
In public ONCE, Speedier and more ell
fecEiye punish rent of law violators and
other measures for the public good.
The report said 1t was not for the
examiner to determine how far DR..
Shuler should 60 in critictzing. con-
demning or pratsing public ofncials ana
candidates.
In order to justify denial of the APP
pIication, Yost said, the hroadcasts OF
Or. ShuIer must appear to be Of such
q public d.sseryice as to outweigh all
the public service rendered by all other
broadcAsts made over the applicant
station"
Since DR.. ShuIer broadcasts only
hours each week out of total of 1874
hours this station is on the air, the
examiner said, the other religious,
philanthropic and charitable broad
casts outweighed the Objectionable mat
ter which the examiner himself criti-
cized.
In an advance note, the examiner
said he was of the opinion the testimony
of DR.. Thomas j. Orbison, alienist, tend
ing to show the effect of the broad
casts OF DR. Shuler upon certain types
OF minds was immaterial and irrelevant