Evening star., 1933-09-26
RADIO OWNERSHIP
IS DEBATE SUBJECT
Schools This Year to Discuss
Governmental vs.. Private
Broadcasting.

- TUDENTS IN high schools and
institutions of higher learning
are going to receive q liberal
~ education in radio broadcasting
and its methods of operation.
The official debate subject this year is:
Resolved, That the United States
should adopt the essential features of
the British system of radio operation
and control.
The debate raises the controversial
issue Of whether broadcasting in this
country should be governmentally in
stead Of privately controlled. In Eng
land, as In perhaps half Of the Euro
pean countries, radio is supported by
taxes on radio receivers, with no ad-
vertising on the air. In this country
radio is supported by advertisers, who
sponsor the bulk of the programs.
Favor British System.
A number of organized groups, in
cluding a formidable array of educa-
tors, openly oppose commercial broad
casting and favor the British system
of government monopoly. The COM
mercial broadcasters, however, backed
by the Radio Commission, contend
that American broadcaSting Is the
best in the world and point to the
fact that in the last few years num-
ber of foreign nations, which formerly
barred advertising on the air, have
adopted the American system. FuI-
ther, they say, the British system In
this country would mean a tax Of
about $25 a year per radio receiver to
provide programs of the quality now
on the air.
Some 10000 high schools, in addi-
ton to many colleges and universities,
will debate this subject during the
1933-34 school year. In addition, the
Nationwide networks plan to feature
several debates on the subject by well
known personages.
Suggested by Committee.
The debate subject was chosen by
the National Extension University As
sociation and the National Forensic
League at the suggestion OF the Ma
tional Committee on Education by
Radio, a relentless foe of commercial
broadcasting, sponsored by the Ma
tional Education Association. This
organization has been urging Congress
to reform" American broadcasting,
contending that under the private sys-
ton is neglected.
While the Radio Committee Of the
National Education Association favors
the English system, the National Ao-
visory Council on Radio in Education,
headed by DR.. Robert F. Milliken, presi-.
dent of the California Institute OF
Technology, opposes it. The latter
organization is now conducting series
of educational programs over the net
works.
TOE CRONIN, who piloted the Wash
ington base ball team to victory
in the American League pennant
race, will do a little prognosticatmg
about the world series on WRC To-
nights from 6:45 to 7. Clark Gr1mth.
president and owner OF the club, also
will speak.
BIOGRAPHY LAMBERT" and Billy
y Hillpot, better known, perhaps, as
Trade and Mark. have been en-
gagged for a new commercial series on
N. B. c. starting october 8. Nat Shli-
kret's Orchestra will provide the musl-
cal background for their comedy songs.
X X X X
AFYRT and Marge returned to the air
Vl without Vinton Haworth, who
played the role of Jack Arnold in
last seasons sketches. Haworth Is be-
ing kept away from the microphone by
a movie contract, and after brief visit
with his parents in washington he
plans to go to New York to start work
on the picture, 1.-THE Cab Sister"
X X X
VITMAL, instead of WRC, will provide
w Washington with its late radio
dance music, during the coming
season. A rearrangement Of the sched-
ules of these two stations calls for WRC
to "sign of" at IL midnight. WMAL
will continue until 1 am.