Evening star., 1938-08-28

M FRANK II. McNlnch to his
w desk last week after an
absence Of about seven
weeks due to illness and vacation, the
Federal Communications Commission
Is expected to move more rapidly
toward the next phase of its current
investigation. namely, the so-called
"chain-monopoly" probe. July and
August have been quiescent months at
the F. c. c., with most of the CONS
missioners and much of the person.
mel on vacation. September will herald
the resumption of hearings and other
activities, including the disposition of
many long pending decisions.
The chain-monopoly probe Is de-
signed to determine whether there
exists monopoly of radio facilities
in the United States in the hands of
few. particularly of the networks
1t will be conducted by a special
committee of the commission, COM
prising Judge E. o. Sykes as chair
man and Commissioners Brown, Walk
er and <McNinch. Special F. c. c.
counsel heading it is William j. Demp-
sey, young attorney-son of Congress-
man Dempsey of New Mexico, who
until recently was Chairman Nc
Ninch's assistant.
The major networks are prepar-
ing to present their cases to the COM
mlttee at open hearings scheduled TO
start some time in October. They
are expected to be required to eX-
plain their structures, the nature of
their contracts with affiliates and the
extent of their ownership and leasing
OF radio stations. National Broadcast
ing Co. owns or manages under leases
Is stations, while Columbia Broad
casting System owns or leases nine.
Mutual Broadcasting System is owned
by two stations, WOR. Newark, and
WGN, Chicago.
IN THE meantime, the F. c. C. prob
ably will await the report of the
committee headed by Commissioner
Norman S. Case, which spent five
weeks probing superpower and three
more investigating thes 500, 900 watts
used by WLW, Cincinnati. Some Is
clear channel stations have applied
for similar power, but most of them
have become lukewarm about it in
view of the tremendous costs in
volved. Practically all clear chan
mel stations however, want the 50,-
oo0-watt power ceiling" now invoked
by regulation lifted.
1t is expected that new regulations
covering power will await the COM
mittee's report, and perhaps also the
disposition of the WLW case which in
volved the question of continuing its
100000 watts Of additional expert
mental power. In view of the Sem
ate's resolution against power over
$4,000 watts, which while not man.
datory, is expected to guide the F.
C. C.'s policy, doubt exists whether
WLW will be permitted to continue
with that power despite the consensus
that 1t is technically feasible. Chief
objection TO it was based on eco
| nomic grounds. particularly by other
stations within the coverage radius
of WLW and other proposed 100000
waters.
On tn. other hand. WLW had
made record which indicated clearly
that it intends to appeal to the courts
II the F. c. c. should require it TO
abandon the superpower plant 1t has
constructed experimentally, but oper-
ated on regular basis for the last
three years WLW also is seen a.
gaining political strength in the fact
that Charles Sawyer, Democratic ma
tional committeeman from Ohio, von
the Democratic nomination for the
governorship of that State, bearing th>
blessing not only Of the New Deal,
but also of both c. l. o. and A. F
Of L. He long has been a director
and adviser Of the Crosley Radio Corp.
operating WLW.