Evening star., 1939-02-10
FEC. Reorganization
Bill Of Wheeler Cuts
Membership to3
Creation of Number
Of Key Positions
Also Provided

Reorganization Of the Federal
Communications Commission, in
cluding a reduction of the member
ship from seven to three, and crea-
ton of a number of key position,
is provided for in a bill introduced
yesterday by Senator Wheeler,
Democrat, of Montana.
The bill was sent to the Senate
Interstate Commerce Committee. OF
which Senator Wheeler Is chairman.
He said he expected to hold hearings
within a short time. These are ex-
pected to provide the opening wedge
for an investigation Of the affairs of
the regulating body.
The bill deals only with changes
in the F. C. c. administrative setup,
Senator Wheeler explaining that
substantive changes in the law
would involve methods of regulation,
ownership of broadcasting stations
by newspapers, the character of
radio programs. censorship. high
power and super-poWer stations and
other questions.
The three new commissioners pro-
vided for would have six-year terms,
except that the first appointments
would be for two, four and six years,
respectively, so as to bring about q
staggered" arrangement of terms
The chairman would be designated
by the commission members.
Three Assistants Proposed.
The work of the new body, to be
known as the Federal Communica-
tions and Radio Commission, would
be divided, under the control of the
commission, among three admins
trative assistants, one in charge Of
domestic broadcasting, another for
communications carriers, and third
for international radio and COM
munications. The administrator in
charge of broadcasting would be
placed directly under the chairman
of the commission.
A general counsel, chief engineer
and chief accountant, with three
assistants each. is provided for, and
also as many attorneys as necessary,
all to be exempt from civil service
laws.
All other employees of the commits
sion would be under civil service, anc
those with the present commission
would be eligible for transfer to the
new body for periods of from go days
to months, when, If found qualified
they might be reappointed. How
ever, the measure provides that they
be given preference in permanen,
appointments, If qualified.
Large Commissions Opposed.
Senator Wheeler, who was aidec
in drafting the bill by Chairman
Frank McNinch of the F. c. c., sale
he was convinced that large com
missions are a mistake. Often it i!
known. he said. that matters arr
badly handled. but it is difficult Il
fix the blame A big board, HI
added, lacks cohesion and is likel!
to be an aggregation of individual
lists. each working too much in hi
own way and to his own ends, with
too little common purpose.
The Senator pointed out that II
the Commu 1ications Commission
such conditions have been eggra.
waited because the commission fol
years has been plagued BY politics
no. simple party politics. but tn.
politics Of big business. In his opin.
ion, he said, the best way to elm
mate politics is to center response
bility. carefully defined and appro.
priately limited. in a small group
where it cannot be lodged or di-
vided.
In the new setup provided in his
bill he said responsibility would be
centered squarely on the members
of the small board and the staff
functioning under its direction.