Evening star., 1937-06-20

puollclSt, sends forth release telling
OF Palmer's activity and views in the
matter. The mystery arises from the
circumstance which has press agent
distributing such material out of the
proverbial clear sky. Palmer does not
reveal the Identity of the person or
group for whom he is working, and
1t does not appear whether the
hacker is financially involved in the
Industry or merely desirous Of stepping
IN from the outside to take the "czar"
, post, Although the dispatch is from
Palmer and about Palmer, it is written
In the third person.
introducing himself as one who was
active in the early days of broadcast
ing as publicity director for the Radio
worlds Fairs, as representative in
Europe during the international recep-
ton tests and, later as touring
associate in connection with train
reception, television and short-wave ex-
Fermentation, he asserts that broad
casters, particularly those operating
smaller stations, are alarmed at radio
tax proposals which have been cropping
up In congressional circles. Sponsors,
too. are described as worried over the
possibility Of boost in time charges
With these fears having combined with
other reasons to provoke considerable
thought with regard to the advisability
OF spokesman during the past month.
1t is declared that. in 1888 when
Alfred j. McCosker was elected presi-
dent of the National Association of
Rroadcasters, the proposal has gar
nered such imposing support that the
directors believed that a "czar" would
assume full control after he had
served but few months. The idea
was discarded, however, and McCosker
currently president of Mutual, con-
tinued in Office, was reelected.
Palmer states that he has been
making survey of chain and inde-
pendent stations to poll the man
ayers and learn their views. From
this he has discovered, it is asserted,
that a number of N. A. B. members
will advise appointment of a radio
boss" in the "off-stage proceedings
at their convention, with the Radio
Manufacturers Association pictured
as taking no part in the movement.
Ex-Commissioner Orestes H. Cald-
well OF the old Federal Radio Com
mission, Herbert Bayard Swope,
Bruce Barton, Senator Royal S. Cope
land and ex-senator James E. Wat
son are mentioned as possibilities.
Waxing confidential, Palmer re-
veals, lin the belief that, if an ap-
pointment is made, the exigencles
call for one not identified directly or
indirectly with present national ad-
mlnlstration policies, the tip Is that
Republican is favored. Democratic
leaders believe that i. one OF their
party is chosen 1t will lead to reper-
cussions. besides bringing upon the
majority = lot Of headaches in the
form Of appeals for channel prefer
ments and new licenses. These are
issues the Democratic Senators and
Representatives are ducking as grace
fully as possible, but no one doubts
the pressure upon them. even now"
Considered of possible significance
BY some was additional reference to
the former Indiana legislator and
to ex-President Ioover-"Watson'
strength lies in his knowledge of
radio as the father of the commits
sion act. 1t was he who took broad
casting out of Department of Com
merce control, against the opposition
OF Herbert Hoover, then Secretary"
''' When the radio manufacturers
were meeting in Chicago the other
day painting of Herbert Hoover
was IN the hall beside their commit
tee rooms. That was reminder not
only OF personality identified with
the development of radio, but of the
halcyon days for the manufacturers
when sets were sold as quickly as
made"
All OF which talk Of a Will Hays or
Judge Lands for broadcasting is in
teresting, If true Whether or not one
Is needed is not apparent to the out
side observer, but Palmer's activity
should bring the question into the
open at some point along the route
Publicst Palmer will be watched with
more than little attention for a hint
Of the extent of his particular concern
In the matter.
I OCAL listeners have slight cause
for complaint as to station facili-
ties. VOL is ensconced In its new
studios, operating with improved
equipment. N. B. c. will move into
the Trans-Lux Building next month,
with the technical side coming In
Tor adequate consideration. Columbia,
which has been sitting tight through
1t all, rises now to speak its peace and
dies with the Federal Communications
Commission an application for permis-
sion to increase power and move its
transmitter. Harry c. Butcher, vice
president of the Columbia Broadcast
ing System, In charge of the Wash
ington Office, sets the approximate cost
Of the improvements at S270,0O0.
Il Clyde Hunt, WJSV's chief engineer,
estimates that the service area of the
station would include an additional
$3.50 square miles, with the Chesa-
peake Bay region as one of the chief
hanef1ciaries. An interference free.
high fidelity signal would be heard in
al parts of the District of Columbia
and adjacent territory, with interfer-
ence being reduced between WJSV
p, and KSTP, st. Paul, which operates
On the same frequency.
II the application Is granted, the
most advanced type Of transmitting
apparatus will be installed in a new
building to be erected on the site
chosen, 10 miles north of Washington,
near Wheaton, Md. Three vertical
antennae, one BIT feet and two 155
feet in height, will comprise the three
element drectional equipment. The
transmitter now in use, located near
Alexandria, Va, would be discarded
4, The power boost sought Is from 10000
to $4,000 watts, with the latter figure
representing the highest output per-
mitted under existing regulations OF
the Federal Communications Commits