Evening star., 1941-05-15
Reinforcement
Row Intensified as
n. A. B. Hits F. {. E..
Convention PIons Fight
After Ethridee AssoiIs
Commission Policies
n. the Associated Press.

AlOucuy anu VIC TCOCid oONCih-
ment was intensified today by the
determined stand of the National
Association of Broadcasters against
some present policies of the Fed
eral Communications Commission.
Meanwhile, F. C. c. Chairman
James L. Fly prepared to return to
Washington ahead of schedule, de-
claring he was denied an oppor-
tunity to answer personally a blis-
tering attack on his agency at yes
terdays convention session.
Mr.. Fly said he understood he
was to be given a chance to reply
TO an address by Mark Ethridge,
Louisville radio and newspaper ex-
ecutive, whose announcement of the
r. c. c. was followed by adoption
of a resolution declaring recent COM
mission actions threaten the free
dom of radio"
Reference was to the F. c. G. anti
monopoly report ordering broad re-
visions In the internal structure OF
the broadcasting business. N. A. B.
leaders said the resolution was an
"offlcial warning" that the associa-
ton was ready to wage vigorous
flght against any attempt at Gov
ernment control.
Expected to Speak.
"This was the audience I ex-
pected to speak before" Mr.. Fly re-
marked when invited by Neville
Miller, N. A. B. president, to say
anything he desired during remain
ing convention sessions. MIR. Miller
adjourned the general session last
night following Mr.. Ethridge's ad-
dress without calling on Mr.. Fly.
They're making the ground rules
IN this game and I'll abide by them"
the F. c. C. chairman commented.
Mr.. Fly had delivered scheduled
address at the convention Tuesday,
saying the commission had no in
tention of taking over the Nations
broadcastlng systems.
Mr.. Ethridge, who was appointed
personally by President Roosevelt
to make q study of the radio situa-
ton, declared in a long-awaited re-
port it was his belief I'VE have been
the victims of an outworn law and OF
bad administration"
IF there be monopolies," he said,
'the Government made them, fire.
quently by granting licenses to ia
vorites. All too frequently licenses
have been issued upon the basis OF
what appeared at least to be po-
ltical pull"
Mr.. Ethridge at the same time re-
signed his commission, saying he
felt 1t was useless for him to con-
ttnue.
Work DESTROYED, He Says.
'That work has been destroyed
not only by the test and tone OF
the commissions order" Mr.. Eth
ridge asserted, but by the evident
determination Of the commission by
precipitate action to forestali the
expression of views by any other
agency"
asked for reaction to Mr..
Ethridges speech, White House
Secretary Stephen T. Early re-
piled at a press conference today:
("I think Mr.. Ethridge Is q
gentleman of great honesty and
sincerity OF purpose.')
A partial text OF Mr.. Ethridge's
address follows:
what 7 proposed was a study
OF an impartial mind, trusted by
the President, to determine and
report to him: Cd What type of law
would best serve public interest.
(2) What changes in the law would
make for Qualification for the ad-
ministrators, and stability, certainty
and freedom from harassment for
the industry. 90 How to clarity a
situation and bring an industry
that has always been regulated, ex-
poets to be regulated and needs to
be regulated, to better understand
ing of its own future and to a better
atmosphere.
Several Points Undecided.
"These matters were up In the
air: Frequency modulation, tele-
vision, newspaper ownership, null
tiple ownership, network structures,
network-station relationships, net
work managed stations,
EXCLUSIVELY, clear channels and high
power.
Here Is an industry that was born
Of regulation. The Government
certified, in granting licenses, to
the legal, moral and financial re-
sponsibility of everybody who runs
radio stations. 1t has set up every
situation that exists in the country.
"If there be monopolies, the Gov
ernment made them, frequently by
granting licenses to favorites. If
there are restraints of trade In
contracts, the Government had been
aware of them for years.
"It is not a case in which the
Government must suddenly step
In to correct abuses which are vic.
timizng the public.
"I firmly believe the President
was deceived as to the extent of
radios ills, and almost betrayed in
not being told the divisive possibili-
ties Of the sort of fight which was
being invited. If that fight comes,
he must blame the majority of the
commission, which insisted upon
It.
Recognizes Need of Change.
"I have never defended the status
quo in radio and I do not intend
10 do so. T am perfectly willing
to admit there are situations that
call for change.
"T have found that the radio
operator is willing to take his
chances with the most stringent sort
of Government regulation If he is
assured of two things:
81. That the regulation is honest
and intelligent.
"2. That he has assurance that
what Is done Is not done to produce
chaos, to further an eventual taking
over by the Government, but is
done in pursuance of sound policy.
'T should like to see a new COM
mission, perhaps of three men, so
hedged about by safeguards that
members of Congress or radio oper-
ators or anybody else who ap-