Evening star., 1941-07-31
F. {. Hears Charge
OF News Monopoly
In Charleston, 5. {.
Stote Senator Says
City's Newspapers Also
Own Radio Stution
BY CARTER BROOKE JONES.

An alleged news monopoly in
Charleston, S. c., was described to-
day to the Federal Communications
Commission by Cotsworth p Means,
a South Carolina State Senator, tes-
tifying at the inquiry into newspaper
ownership of radio stations.
Mr.. Means identified resolution
which he introduced and the South
Carolina Senate passed, in which the
States Attorney General was asked
for an opinion on whether further
legislation was necessary to "end
any such conditions which may. in
fact, tend to lessen full and free
competition in the dissemination of
news to the public either by news
paper or radio"
The witness said his resolution
was prompted by the fact that the
same management published the
only two newspapers in Charleston
and. In the last two years, had &C
quired a radio station.
Charleston Situation Discussed.
"I understand said Mr. Means,
shat the News and Courier and the
Evening Post control all news service
appearing in the newspapers or
heard over the radio in Charleston
except one service.
He referred to a commercial news
service which a competing radio
station carried.
J. M. Rivers, president and man
ager of the competing station,
WCSC. testified that the two
Charleston papers did not carry the
log of programs on his stations, but
"played UP" their own station and
news concerning it,
No Abuses Seen.
Asked by Thomas E. Harris. as
sistant general counsel of the F. c.
c.. if he thought there had been
abuse of the power concentrated IN
this management, Mr. Means said:
"I don't think there have been any
commercial abuses" He explained
that in seeking to curb such power
by legislation he had been more con-
cerned with "the inherent danger"
of such situation.
The commission attorney brought
out from Mr.. Means that his son
was an assistant program director
at the competing station, WCSC.
For that reason, the witness said he
would have preferred to wait until
his son went into the Army, as he
would shortly, but he Is closing his
service in the State Senate and felt
he must act.
Papers Story Called Fair"
At Judge Thacher's request, Mr.
Means identified a report in the
News and Courier of a speech he
had made. admitting it was a fair
report" although it was highly con-
demned and contained one or two
errors. .-.-
Mr.. Means conceded. under cross
examination. that his quarrel with
the Charleston papers was rs pei
cent because of their editorial
policies.
In explaining his effort to end tn,
alleged monopolistic news tendenc!
In Charleston, Mr.. Means said: q.
knew nothing of this radio inquiry
whatever. I have been concerned
over the situation in Charleston fol
years"
Admits Speaking Over Station.
Ben S. Fisher, attorney for WTMA
the station owned by the New;
and Courier and the Evening Post
asked: You have spoken over
WTMA?"
Once" said the witness.
"You never have been denied time
on that station?"
mo, sir"
Mr.. Means admitted, under fur.
ther questions, that the news col
umns of both papers were essen
italy fair"
DR.. L. D. H. Weld director ot
research for the McCann-Ericksor
Co., an advertising agency, ano
president of the American Market.
ing Association, told the commission
that advertisers have been usini
radio much more than formerly"
DeQuincy Sutton, F. C. C. stats.
tical expert, testified that 68 sta
tions affiliated with newspapers re-
ported a financial loss in 1910, whil'
119 stations not connected with
newspapers showed losses.