Evening star., 1938-06-09
Tells OF MENACE
TO RADIO IN j. 8.
Witness Says SOC, 600 Watt
Stations Needed to
Offset Mexico.

AoNWToS~SsOAsS W AhBArkOWSI StatiOfaS
Of Mexico will be faced in the event
that the American stations are not al
lowed to increase their power output
to the 100000 watts being sought BY
the clear-channel stations, the Federal
Communications Commission was told
yesterday ct hearings on its proposed
new rules and engineering standards.
The statement was made by J. H.
Dewitt, jr.. chairman Of the clear
channel groups Engineering Commit
tee. who spent the greater part Of the
day on the stand.
However. Mr.. Dewitt said, interfer-
ence would not be as great II the Hav-
ana radio agreement, now before the
Senate. Is approved. He pointed out
that under existing conditions each Of
the North American countries is free
to increase the power Of any station on
any channel throughout the whole
broadcast band. The only limitations,
he asserted, are the informal agree.
ment between this country and Can.
ada and the rather general provisions
Of the Madrid agreement. He added,
however, that although Mexico and
Cuba are parties to this latter agree.
ment. this has not prevented either
country from increasing power AZ
much as they wished and from assign
ing stations to any channel they
choose, without regard to the disas-
trous interference caused by stations
of all classes in this country and Can
ada.
Restricts Super Stations.
Under the Havana agreement, he
explained. The right OF each Of these
countries and Of the United States is
restricted, SO that freedom to author
ize power above $4,000 watts is lin.
tied to certain specified channels-six
In Canada, six In Mexico and anywhere
from zero to 80 in the United States.
The rest Of the channels of the broad.
cast band are subject to rigid power
restrictions in all countries, corre-
spending exactly to those proposed in
this country. Mexico already Is au-
thorizing high-power stations which
will provide Objectionable interference
to the United States clear-channel sta
tions If the latter are required to re-
main at the 50,000-watt limitation.
The existence of the Cuban and
Mexican stations on the clear chan
nels Of the United States, he said,
should be considered q convincing
reason for permitting the stations Of
this country to increase power so as
to at least partially regain the rural
coverage lost through interference.
Gives Cost Estimate.
Asked to discuss the question of in
creased charges that might be nee.
cessary to support high power stations,
he told the commission that assuming
that a station operates $500 hours
per year, the cost per house at so
kilowatts is $1l.69 and at 500 kilo-
watts $3,675.
Regarding the problem Of whether
increased power will result in an in
crease In or concentration of eco
nomic or social power and influence
In the clear-channel stations he said
that II all stations increase their
power in the same ratio their rela-
tive situation would be the same.
Discussing the technical phases Of
the possibility of duplication Of pro-
grams If increased power is given. he
said that sky-wave service at night
from clear-channel stations does, in
a sense, mean duplication of network
programs, but only In rural communi-
ties. This duplication. in his opin-
ion, is not only unavoidable but de-
sirable because Of hard technical facts
and principles, and because, due to the
variable character Of the sky-wave
service, the rural listener must have q
choice Of several signals carrying the
same program II he Is to have any
measure Of assurance that from night
to night he will be able to get that
program. He said this was unavoid-
able unless the commission was will
ing to say that large number Of
urban listeners should be deprived of
satisfactory reception Of network
program in order that this duplication
to the rural listener may be reduced.