Evening star., 1934-06-24

The way Tor the licensing o
new stations was opened by Co
enacted the new communication
municationS Commission. Specif
measure for the stations, not exc
out regard to other provisions in
radio facilities which may be accC
1t is expected the new commission
will be deluged with applications of
every character and from every 10
cality, seeking authority to build
small stations. The communications
law specified that such applications
may be granted when they meet the
requirement of public interest. con-
venience and necessity" and when it
is ascertained that their operation
will not cause interference with other
stations on the same or adjacent
ether channels.
Heretofore, the Radio Commission,
which passes out of existence July /,
has been unable to license new sta
tions in the areas needing them most.
That has been because of the so-called
Davis amendment to the old radio law
which provides for an equitable dis
tribution of radio facilities among the
try is divided according to population.
Each State, under this legislative
provision, has been assigned a specific
quota of radio facilities. based on its
population. More than half of the
States are over-quota in facilities, and
in those States the commission could
not very well add a watt of power or
an hour of operation without violating
Its own regulations.
Amendment Modified.
While the Davis amendment is re-
tanned in the new communications law,
the proviso for additional 100-watt
stations is added. The thought in the
mind of Congress, it was indicated in
the debate, was that sparsely popu-
lated rural areas, mainly in the West,
should have local radio stations and
should not be penalized by population
requirement. Engineers hold that more
such stations could be accommodated
in the West without undue interfer-
ence, since the power of the new sta
tions will be so slight that they will
not be heard normally beyond radius
Of 10 miles.
ACludl1y, 1lOWcNCI, IL lS CApCCIcO
that many Of the new applications
will be from urban areas already hay-
ing a substantial number of stations.
Economic conditions are such in large
cities, it is pointed out, that one or
two additional purely local stations
can be supported. The applicants
must prove to the commission. how
ever, that the new stations are needed
and will serve the public interest,
convenience and necessity
**&
IF you happen to hear the announce
i ment American Broadcasting Sys-
TEN" while listening to certain
Eastern radio stations, jot it down in
your memory that it may become that
third net work" you have heard so
much about in recent months
The American Broadcasting System
has just been incorporated in New
York, without fanfare or ballyhoo such
as that which has featured other VEN
lures which now show up only on the
bankruptcy records. The sponsors Of
the new project won't even admit that
they plan third chain; they say
they are simply making haste slowly.
At present A. B. S. is feeding sus-
tanning programs from the studios
of Station WMCA in New York to
six stations along the Atlantic Sea-
board. The New York station, owned
largely by group of scions Of wealthy
New York families, is not corporately
associated with the network, although
certain of the WMCA stockholders also
Va tIanttEnl yr,ffL
Detroiter Guides Destinies.
The guiding genius of A. B. S. is
George B. Storer of Detroit, an ex-
perienced broadcasting executive who
operates four stations in as many
cities. Recently he acquired the pres
idency and general management of
WMCA. He also operates CKLW.
Canadian station serving Detroit;
WSPD, Toledo. and VIVA, Wheeling,
w. Va. Associated with him in the
A. B. S. are Allan Ryan, jr., wealthy
young New Yorker, and j. H. Ryan of
Toledo, who Is not related to the
former, but who Is general manager
OF the three other Storer stations.
Former Gov. Alfred E. Smith of
New York is chairman of the board
OF the corporation operating WMCA,
but so far as is known he is not con-
nected with the new network venture.
Thus far, the only stations being
served by A. B. S. are WPEN, Philadel-
phia; WITH, Trenton; WBCM, Balti-
more; VOL, Washington; wDEL,
Wilmington, Del, and WPRO, Provi-
dence, r. l. The first three were as
sociated with the ill-starred Amalga-
mated Broadcasting System launched
by Ed Wynn earlier this year, which
folded up after only five weeks opera
ton.
Plans Expansion.
Asked about his new project, Storer
said that it was premature" to call it
a third network" He admitted he
had plans to expand. but declared he
would be guided by developments as to
the course the venture would take.
OF significance, however, Is the fact
that Storer has just retained Karl
Knipe, former sales manager of the
FOREIGN SHORT.