Evening star., 1934-04-15
AMERICAN RADIO
SYSTEM APPROVED
G. W. U. Conference for
l Senior High Students
Adopts Resolutions.

The American system Of CONNER
cially-sponsored broadcasting received
the Endorsement of delegates to
George Washington University's con-
ference for senior high school stu
dents, at the closing session yesterday.
After lectures by experts and dis
cussion by the delegates as to wheth-
er the British system Of radio con-
troll should be adopted by the United
States, resolutions were passed by the
conference expressing the sense Of
the present American system.
Other resolutions passed by the
conference declared:
/. That the amount Of time devoted
to advertising is not disproportionate
and that advertising over the radio
is not Objectionable except in minor
elements.
2. That commercial broadcasting.
by reason Of competition, leads to
superior rather than inferior pro-
grams.
Cost Not Increased.
3. That the American system of
commercially sponsored broadcasting
does not increase the cost of products
but, by fostering mass consumption,
may actually lower the cost.
T. That the adoption Of the British
system would not eliminate present
shortcomings and would result in po-
litical control which would bring evils
greater than those now existent
Recognizing the need for certain
reforms the conference voted:
/. That all possible steps should be
taken to increase the interest and &C
ceptability of advertising content in
radio programs
2. That educational potentialities
should take precedence over mere en-
tertainment value.
3. That the conference 60 on rec
ord as favoring increase In the per-
sonnel Of the Federal Radio Commis-
sion by the appointment Of chemists,
psychologists and other experts hav-
ing the power to prevent misrepre-
sentation of the value Of medicinal
and chemical products advertised by
radio.
Dill Stresses Control.
Speaking at the luncheon held for
delegates at the National Press Club,
Senator Clarence c. Dill, chairman
Of the Interstate Commerce Commit
tee, stressed the importance of con-
tinued public ownership and control
of radio facilities pointing out that
every other great resource, such as
coal, waterpower. public lands, etc,
has passed into the hands of monop-
olies with power to prohteer." In
radio legislation, he said, the en-
deavor has been and should continue
to be to keep radio free for the use
of all the people, free from private
monopoly and free Of Government
bureaucracy and censorship.
Radio is closely connected with prob
lens of the power question in Amer
lea, Senator Dill said. asserting that
electricity is of such necessity to
modern civilization that the people
cannot tolerate the continuation of
profiteering."
The speaker termed over CONNER
cialization the greatest weakness of
American radio. He pointed out. how
ever, as in favor of commercializa-
ton, the fact that under this system
the United States has developed radio
which far surpasses that of any other
country.
One hundred delegates from the
high schools of Washington, Maryland
and Virginia attended the confer
ence
Held under the auspices Of the uni
versity's public speaking department,
the conference will be made an an
nual event, giving high school stu
dents each year the opportunity to
discuss some question Of public inter-
est and to hear outstanding speakers.