Evening star., 1932-11-27

luuuSlEy 10 CQOOSe du OFeIIOI u
to guide it along paths of self
~ regulation, the appointment by
broadcasters of a "cZar" to
handle the difficult problem of copy
rights and the dispelling of an atmos-
phere of distrust and recrimination
brought about by incessant charges of
radio trust" and monopoly-these de-
velopments within the last fortnight
herald a new era in radio.
Disposal Of the industrial problem
last week, when the Government OBJ
tanned a consent decree in the Delaware
Federal Court by which Radio Corpo-
ration of America is to divorce itself
completely from its controlling parent
corporations, the General Electric and
Westinghouse companies, now focuses
chief attention upon the broadcasting
phases of the many-sided radio indus
try. It is significant that all these de-
velopments come in this month of No
vember, which also marks the twelfth
anniversary since music and speech via
the magical ether channels first caught
the popular fancy.
Broadcasting, most in the public eye,
still faces many obstacles in its struggle
to survive as a private competitive en-
terprise. It was with these problems in
mind that the National Association OF
Broadcasters, at ST. Louis, decided to
engage a man of commanding stature to
head up its efforts to keep its own house
in order.
Duties to Be Many.
It was to combat the demands of the
owners Of musical copyrights for per-
centage share of the income Of the
broadcasters that the N. A. B. renamed
Oswald F. Schuette, the David who
Waged unremitting warfare upon the al
legged radio trust" Goliaths, to repre-
sent the owners Of radio stations In al
their copyright negotiations.
Mr. Schuette's broadly conferred pow
ers make him a virtual "cZar" in his
realm, but his duties are seperate and
distinct from those of the man who
may be selected to head the broadcast
ers in their other endeavors. Schuette
was engaged to fight the allegedly ex-
orbitant demands of the largest OF the
several copyright pools-namely, the
American Society Of Composers, Au-
thors and Publishers, which has decreeo
that broadcasting must during the next
three years turn over 3, and pei
cent of its net receipts for the right tc
perform its copyrighted music.
Inc new CIlltlIdll VI b1lC N. "a IL.
if one is found, will be expected ltc
front for radio in its efforts to meet the
arguments of those who believe in Gov
ernment ownership and operation oi
the radio; to parley with the educators
who demand a share of the wave lengths
which can only be secured by taking
them away from present occupants; tC
compose the newspaper interests fight
ing radio as an alleged competitor; to
represent broadcasting in its interna-
tional difficulties, and to treat with the
many others who either want radio tc
themselves or are highly critical OF its
present practices.
Empowered to Choose Man.
It is not altogether certain that such
a man will be found outside the radio
ranks; numerous reports that men IKE
Alfred E. Smith, Newton D. Baker anc
Gen. John j. Pershing will be asked tt
take the Job are branded as premature
by the broadcasters. Nor do the broad
casters want their new head to be re-
garded as q Gear" in the sense that ht
will have dictatorial powers, albeit ht
position in radio may be much the samt
as that of Judge Lands in base ball anc
Will Hays in the movies.
Smith Is known 10 nave peen dP'
preached informally with a propositior
that he consider the post. but he replied
that he was in no position to take II
The salary will be a large one, derived
chiefly from assessments on the largel
and more prosperous broadcasting sta
tions and on membership dues obtained
from the smaller stations. The N. A. 3
now embraces about 200 Of the 60'
American stations, but those 200 are D!
all odds the leaders in the field.
1t remains for Alfred j. McCosker
head of WOR, Newark, newly elected
president of the N. A. B., and his spe'
cial committee, reporting to repre-
sentative board of directors, to chooS'
the man. They were empowered to d.
SO at the St. Louis convention. TIT
man may be an outsider or he MAJ
! come from the radio ranks. L
chosen from the ranks he ma!
be some one like Henry A. Bel
lows. former Federal radio commissioner
now a vice president OF the Columbis
Broadcasting System, or William S
Hedges, formerly president Of the N. A
B. and now with National Broadcastinl
Co. Or he may be some one previously
unmentioned, but chosen for his init
mate knowledge of the problems O
radio.