Evening star., 1934-03-11

NV Federal Communicat ons
W Commission and abolition
Of the Federal Radio Com
mission have upon Mr.. and Mrs. John
J. Dialtwister and the programs they
receive?
The answer Is "none," II Congress
adopts the suggestions Of the Chief
Executive as incorporated in his mes
sage to that austere body last month
urging creation Of such an agency.
There would be no change in the
radio laws and no provisions for ad-
ditional regulatory authority which
would empower the new agency to ex-
ercise Jurisdiction over broadcasting
programs or ALLEGATIONS beyond the
power now vested in the present radio
board.
Whereas the existing commission
has jurisdiction over the radio spec
trum only, the proposed new agency
would regulate all phases of commune
cations, including radio, telephony,
telegraphy and cables. The President
suggested to Congress that this be
accomplished by the relatively simple
parliamentary expedient Of combining
the powers now vested In the Radio
Commission and those now in the In
terstate Commerce Commission relat-
which would create the new agency.
No Present Change.
In 50 far as broadcasting, closest to
the hearts Of the public, is concerned,
there would be no change for the
present. The new commission OF seven
members, which the President hopes
to see in operation before the year
ends, however, would be authorized
to investigate broadcasting. along with
all other vistas Of communications and
to recommend to Congress what
changes should be made In existing
laws to improve service to the public.
In the bills introduced in both
Houses Of Congress pursuant to the
Presidents message, a proviso is in
cluded that the new commission shall
recommend to Congress by February
l, 1885, any changes 1t believes should
be made in the law. This, Of course,
presupposes that the new commission
WALL lldNC bCOh 4uliStlO1ll1l6 dt 1C0oS
several months in advance Of that
date.
It Is apparent that every known
legislative maneuver will be employed
by congressional leaders to have the
legislation passed at this session.
Hearings already have been scheduled
before both the Senate Interstate
Commerce Committee, of which Sem
ator Dill, Democrat, of Washington. is
chairman, and the House Interstate
and Foreign Commerce Committee Of
which Representative Rayburn, Demo-
crat, Of Texas, Is chairman.
Senator Dill and Mr.. Rayburn
introduced the communications bills
in their respective houses. The lat
ter's measure. which seems to accord
closely with the Presidents expressed
desires. has not developed material
opposition. But Senator Dill's bill,
which includes a half dozen pro-
posed amendments Of the radio act.
has provoked much opposition from
broadcasters and will be vigorously
resisted by them as long as it con-
tains these amendments.
Amendments Unexpected.
Inclusion of these amendments in
the Dill draft came most unexpected
ly. The Senator repeatedly has
stated that his measure would be
"uncontroversial," with the objective
Of arousing as little opposition as
possible and thereby expediting its
%hA De
said by radio observers to conflict
with the wishes Of the President
since 1t goes far afield Of the exist
ing radio law.
Even at this early date there is
considerable speculation about exec
utive personnel of the proposed new
commission, which would have seven
members instead of five now on the
Radio Commission. Representative
Aiming S. Prall, New York Democrat.
named by President Roosevelt last
month to succeed William D. L. Star
buck as commissioner for the first
radio zone, comprising the Eastern
and New England States, is re-
garded as q certain choice for the
new agency. While his appointment
was confirmed by the Senate March
/, he has decided to remain in Con-
gress for the present, and he may
finish his legislative term before
taking his commission post. The
Radio Commission thus will hobble
along as a four-man agency until he
decides to resign from Congress.
Chairman E. o. Sykes Of the Radio
Commission, a Mississippi Democrat.
is regarded favorably for the chair
manship of the new agency, and is
believed to have received assurances
that he at least will be one Of its
members. Also mentioned for the
Craftsmanship. however, is former
Gov. Phillip LaFollette of Wisconsin,
brother of the Senator, who deserted
Republican ranks to support Roose-
velt during the last presidential cam
paign.
Since the new commission will be q
bipartisan agency, presumably hav-
ing four Democratic and three Re
publican members. it is thought that
at least one of the two Republican
members Of the present commission
might be carried over. These are
Vice Chairman Thad H. Brown,
strongly identified with Republican
politics In Ohio and q Hoover ap-
pointee, and Commissioner Harold A.
Lafount, regarded as the practical
business man member of the COM
who has served since 1927,
when the agency was created. He
was appointed originally by Presi-
dent Coolidge as Utah Republican
and was reappointed by Hoover.
Herbert L. Pettey. secretary of the
commission, who served as radio
chief for the Democratic party during
the last campaign, is expected to
procure an executive post under the
new structure. Whether 1t will be
q commissionership. his present post
of secretary, or some other new ex-
ecutive assignment, such as director
of radio, is now uncertain. Both
the Dill and Rayburn measures pro-
vide that the present personnel of