Evening star., 1942-03-12
Fly Denies Attempt
To Ban Newspaper
Ownership in Radio
Communications Head
Asks House Hearing on
Charges Against F. c. c.
B> the Associated Press

bN me Associated Press.
Chairman James L. Fly of the
Federal Communications Com
mission fatty asserted before the
House Rules Committee today
that the commission had no pre-
conceived plan u break up joint
newspaper-radio ownership of
broadcasting stations.
At the end OF nearing on a reso-
luton asking a congressional in
vestigation of the F. C. C. the chair
man requested an opportunity to be
heard again to answer charges
against the commission, and was as
sured by Chairman SABBATH that the
opportunity would be granted, prob
ably tomorrow.
I'VE haven't scratched the surface
yet" Mr.. Fly was told by Represent
ative Cox, Democrat, of Georgia who
is seeking the investigation.
Practices Charged.
The charges on which Mr. Fly
said he would like to be heard in
cluded alleged mis- practices in F.
C. C. Administration and circum-
vention of the intention of Congress.
Mr.. Fly was subjected to cross
fire of questions as soon as he took
the stand following Representative
Wigglesworth, Republican, of Mass
achusetts. who backed Mr.. Cox's re-
quest for the inquiry.
To Mr.. WigglesWorth's charges
that the commission had failed to
break up monopolies, Mr.. Fly re-
ferred to a recent order seeking TO
sever the Red and Blue networks of
the National BroadcaSting Co. syS-
tenn and return control of the sta
tionS back to their owners"
The commission, he said, has un-
dertaken study of the problems in
volved in joint newspaper-radio
ownership, but has made no find
ings. There remained a question, he
said, whether the commission had
authority in this field.
Doubts Authority.
Mr. Fly emphatically replied no"
when Mr. Cox asked whether Mr.
Fly and other commission members
had not proceeded in the case with
the intention of banning joint mem
bership. He denied that he ever had
contended the commission had au-
thorlty in the matter and said there
is a serious question as TO whether
the commission can do anything
about it if it should develop that
something should be done.
Mr. Fly was questioned sharply on
failure of the commission to dis
miss Goodwin Watson, chief analyst
of the foreign propaganda section,
after the House had refused TO ap-
propriate funds for Mr.. Watsons
salary
Aren't you concerned about the
intent of Congress-" asked Repre-
sentative Nichols, Democrat, OF
Oklahoma
Yes" replied Mr.. Fly. II think
I'm under a duty to give Congress
all the facts bearing on the matter
before final decision is made. The
commission felt the Senate COM
mittee ought to see the man and
hear him
Mr.. Fly added that he held no
brief" for Mr.. Watson and frankly I
don't believe in all the things" he
has said
Ready to nhev uousa
When the House of Representa-
tives finally acts on it, we will be
inclined to obey he added.
Well certainly act commented
Mr. Nichols
Mr.. Wigglesworth had told the
committee it was perfectly shock
ing" to keep Mr.. Watson on the
commission payroll III view of the
House action and in view of his pur-
ported beliefs and principles,
1t was at this juncture that Mr..
Cox commented that if all commits
sion employees similar to Mr.. Watson
were discharged. the commission
staff would be virtually halved.
There are more fellow-travelers
and more revolutionists" in the F.
c. c. than in any other agency, Mr..
Cox added.
During hearings on the F. c. C.
appropriation bill this year. Repre-
sentative Starnes. Democrat. Of Ala
oama, accused Mr.. Watson of having
been connected with Communist
front organizations.