Evening star., 1932-05-01
u. S. WILL PUBLISH
BROADCAST SURVEY
Encyclopedia of American
Radio Shortly to Be
Made Available.
BY MARTIN CODEL

A N encyclopedia OF American ra
" dio, detailing every conceivable
"A aspect Of broadcasting as it is
4 4 established and operated in this
country, will shortly be avail
able for scrutiny of the Senate and the
public by the Federal Radio Commis-
sion.
Into voluminous record expected to
be completed in May or early June, the
commission is placing the mass of data
1t has gathered as q result of the Ques
tionnaires sent out in January to all
stations, leading advertising agencies
and radio advertisers, governmental
agencies identified with radio and for
eign radio interests.
Resolution Directed Survey.
The survey is the commissions
answer to the Couzens-Dill resolution
directing an inquiry into the American
broadcasting structure, with particular
emphasis on the amounts of time de-
voted by stations, networks and spon-
sors to entertainment education and
advertising. Senator CouZens' portion
of the resolution also directed the gath
ering of information on "the feasibility
of Government ownership and operation
Of the radio facilities"
Practically all the data requested Is
now in the hands Of the commission,
whose secretary, James w. Baldwin, is
supervising the clerical corps detailed
to the still unfinished task of collating
and summarizing 1t. Much of the in
formation regarding foreign radio syS-
tens remains to be procured due to the
SlowneSS Of the foreign radio admins
trationS to answer the commissions in
quiries.
Purely act-finding in nature, the
survey is intended by the Senators to
furnish the basis for future legislation
regulating radio. Senator Couzens'
manifest intent is to limit commercial
blurbS on the air, If possible. Senator
Dill's primary interest, as the leader
in radio matters in the Upper House of
Congress, is statistical He wants to
know just what proportions Of time on
the wave lengths, allotted in this coun-
try to private enterprisers under strictly
limited franchises, are devoted to public
as against private interests.
That the commissions report, which
also will contain recommendations by
that body based on Mr. Baldwin's sum-
maries, will not lead to legislation dur
ing this session of Congress, is a fore
gone certainty. The subject of radio
has too many ramif1cations to permit
Of hasty legislation, and members of
Congress at present are too intent on
other more pressing problems-not to
forget consideration also of the fact
that they want to adjourn in June for
the political conventions.
Data Carefully Guarded.
Since the detailed data in the COM
missions hands is being carefully
guarded against the day Of its release
to the Senate. 1t is too early to prog
nosticate what it will show. A few
facts that may be brought out are
rather generally known in the industry
however. For one thing. the commits
sions conclusions, If they recommend
on the subject at all, will probably
favor continuance Of the present sys-
tenn Of free competitive enterprise in
broadcasttng as against the so-called
European system Of governmental mo-
nopoly; this is a reasonable deduction
from formal and informal statements
previously issued by the commission.
The report asks for financial state
ments from individual stations, and is
expected to show that one-half to two
thirds are now operating at a profit.
after having operated at heavy losses
preliminary to the advent of the spon-
sored program, about five years ago.
ne proportion OF Time OeVOteQ 10 en-
tertainment, education and advertising
can only be guessed; the preponder-
ance will probably favor entertainment.
and the education and commercial
percentages adduced from averaging
the station reports will doubtless fur
niSh the replies either aff1rming or
confuting the charges oft-heard against
radio.
Though no immediate legislation will
atorial and public reactions to it, con-
ndence Is expressed in many quarters
that the findings will have the whole
some effect Of prompting broadcasters
and advertisers to clean house" vol
UNFAIRLY in order TO preclude restric-
tive legislation. The moral effect of
| criticism in such nebulous and youth
| full industry as broadcasting is i'm
! measurable
Canada. which is pondering propo-
sails to establish a governmental sys-
tenn OF radio akin to the British Sys-
| tenn, but with certain variations along
! American lines, will watch the report
with keen interest. Many Canadian
broadcasters oppose public monopoly
the feasibility Of which may either be
proved or disproved by the commission s
findings. Those who favor public own
| ership may find much fodder for their
arguments in the report. It is more
than likely that the Senate will pub
lish the report as a Senate document
because Of its inclusive scope and i'm
| portance.