The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-01-15
HOT SPOT

THE wisdom of Solomon, no less, will be needed
= in the management of chain broadcasting be-
tween now and election day. To sense that, It is
only necessary to read correspondence between Re-
publican National Chairman Henry P. Fletcher and
Columbia Broadcasting President William S. Paley.
Mr.. Fletcher, very properly, demands that no
favorites be played Mr.. Paley in an evidently sin
cere effort to be fair states his policy. But Mr..
Paeys policy by means suits Mr. Fletcher, who
hints not too subtly that political pressure through
the Federal Communications Commission might be
causing the rules to which Mr.. Fletcher objects,
the broadcasters' right to operate being under
license from that commission.
The broadcasters have decreed that such political
addresses shall come on the air between now
and convention time shall be free no time being sold
until after the nomination. and that the broadcasters
will be the judge of whether the public is sufficiently
interested to warrant free ALLEGATION of time This is
by no to Mr.. Fletcher's liking He would fain
present to the public forthwith, and pay therefor,
dramatic skts ito bring home to the voters the effect
of the Administrations aims and policies and the
vital issues affecting the very foundations of const-
tutional government before the heat and fury OF
the political campaign"
But that desire is thwarted by another policy
enunciated last December, before the present con-
troversy. which suddenly famed up hot with Pres-
dent Roosevets both-barre, p. m broadcast on the
opening night of Congress.
A PPEALS to the electorate" reads that policy
\ Should be intellectual and not based on emo
ton, passion or prejudice. We recognize that even
the oratorical discussion of campaign issues can to
degree be stamped with the aforementioned flaws,
but we are convinced that dramatizations would
throw the radio campaign almost wholly to the
emotional side Then too, we believe that the dra-
matte method by it's very nature would tend to
emphasize incidents of minor Importance and sig
nif1cance. simply because of the dramatic value"
Which, in shorter language, means that thereT be
nothing doing if some political Thespian wants to
tread the boards with "lend me your ears, come
to bury Roosevelt, not to praise him."
All of which is merely the start on long list of
knotty problems for those who edit on the air. Not
only the wisdom of Solomon but the patience of Job
will be required.
Sometimes we think cur lot in newspaper editing
is hard one. But we must confess that the picture
have above described gives repose by contrast.
In the first place, We don't have to meet the
space" problems that the chain broadcasers have.
In broadcastng the space consists of "a hours about
eight of which have to be subtracted before "pub-
Can't add hours
But that's not the most important consolation.
Without in the least indorsing the implication that
the Federal Communications Commission has any,
thing to do with the rulings of the broadcasters we
nevertheless disposed frequently to give thanks
that we aren't operating under license that might
be yanked in six months
we is meet
lem with wisdom and restraint, despite the kicks
from. Mr. Fletcher and the other kicks that newt
ably will come from the Democrats aso as the cam
paign proceeds. We believe he is justified in re-
tanning for himself the right to be the Judge on
what is of sufficient public interest to get into his
paper" Otherwise the radio would be but one con-
tinuous blast of campaign talk from now until No
vember. We think the broadcasters are wise also as
matter of plain business in not accepting political
money until the home stretch is reached, for
paigEs come only once in while, whereas COM
mercial sponsors are steady diet. And then, too,
political money has habit of not holding out.
We believe the chief duty of the broadcasters is to
strive for even-handed justice in allocatng such
radio time as is given to the campaign That is vital
in the public interest so both sides can be heard.
Our only criticism of the broadcaster policy has
to do with the barring of dramatizations. Though
recognizing some truth in what they say about pos
sible distortion, over-emphasis, and emotionalism
intellect if we were running it we'd let the
dramatiss perform. nevertheless, barring course
profanity libel and obscenty and trust the American
people to stand it, perchance even to welcome it, as
pleasing relief from the orthodox oratory of the
past. We believe it would be surprising to see what
capacity the American people could develop in
dscountng the political playwright as they now dis
count the old-fashioned spelbinder
We say, IF we running it," But we're glad
we're not