Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-11-20

~ ELUGED with inquiries from
high school and college STU
dents, teachers and debate
masters for comparative data
concerning the American and
British Broadcasting Systems, the Fed
eral Radio Commission is now replying
to these requests with a form letter,
accompanied by photography of avail
able source material, and a ten-page
discursive document containing one OF
its own members personal views.
Not satisfied merely to refer the in
quirers to previously published material,
James H. Hanley, newest member OF
the commission, appointed by President
Roosevelt some months ago from Ne
braska, essays his own frank attitude.
These views are critical, In some in
stances possibly at variance with those
publicly expressed by his colleagues, yet
In their essence they uphold the Amer
lean system despite its faults. Com
missioner Hanley is convinced that the
best and most economical thing for us
to do would be to strengthen the radio
structures we have erected through
years of toll and experience, eliminat-
ing offensive features and strengthening
weak spots"
Too Much Chain Duplication.
The chief counts against the Ameri-
can system, as noted by Mr.. Hanley, are
too much duplication of chain pro-
grams, too few educational programs,
too many programs tending to develop
religious agitation and too much traf-
ticking In radio facilities; also tend.
ency toward a monopoly on the part OF
certain groups.
Mr.. Hanley favors the establishment
of more local stations and says he Is
"very sympathetic toward the plans OF
the educators for additional facilities,
Secondly, he would revise the present
'lop-sided' system of quota ALLEGATIONS
to the states. which finds half the
States over quota and half under quota
in radio facilities. so that there would
be better equilibrium. Finally, he points
out that the commission and the courts
have held that programs tending TO
develop religious agitation are not in
the public interest.
Commercialism Criticized.
The commissioner says nothing about
cleaning UP cornmercialsm beyond in
dicating that he and his colleagues are
aware It needs to be cleansed. On the
whole, he finds, along with Senator
Dill of Washington, co-author of the
radio law, that private initiative, pri-
vate capital, and most of all, American
business methods Of populariZing and
this country far ahead OF any other
country in the world" He does not
Like the British system because OF its
political restraints, its allegedly car
istic attitude toward the populace in
broadcasting what the people should
have rather than what they might
want, and its system of taxing radio
sets $3.50 year to support the broad
cast structure
- +
THE excitement of opening new
i studies having subsidized somewhat,
N. B. c. program makers, under
the tutelage of their chief, John Royal,
are going to see what they can do with
drama this week.
Taking various scripts that have
been submitted with the particular idea
of the writer that they be used for the
microphone, the program builders have
lined these dramas for the week:
"Cottingham's Last Banshee," 1890
pm. tomorrow; The Man Who Died
Twice" 1890 pm. Friday; 1.-The Mid
night Sur" pm. Saturday, and Irish
Idol" 1880 pm. Sunday.
X II
MME. FRANCES AIDA, celebrated
w diva. will begin a second radio
series over N. B. G. starting No
vember 27. The new series will be Of
an intimate nature, during which Nine.
Aida will give brief talks ON operate
and concert work.