Evening star., 1946-07-25
zoning Board Delays
Decision on Appeal
For TeIevision Tower

appeal OF American University on
behalf of The Evening Star Broad
casting Co to erect a 40O-foot tele-
vision and frequency modulation
transmitter tower on university
property at Massachusetts and Ne
braska avenues NV
The case was the last of 81 heard
by the board at Its monthly meeting
yesterday.
Although the tower height sought
is few feet above the minimum
standards set by the Federal Com
munications Commission. Samuel H.
Kaufman, president of the broad
casting company, urged that no re-
duction be made that would reduce
the caliber of the service through
weakening of the signal.
He asked swift approval, citing
the construction permit issued by
FEC which indicates construction
must be completed by December 26.
FEC rules for tower height require
minimum of 500 feet above the
mean altitude of surrounding ter
rain which, in the District, is taken
generally to be about 200 feet.
10 Feet Above Standard.
Worthington c. Lent, consulting
engineer tor the company, told the
board the 400-foot tower on the
location sought would provide
actually a height of $40 feet above
! the mean surrounding terrain de-
! termined according TO FEC pro-
cedureS.
The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, however, said
the tower would be so feet above the
tower approved recently for Bam-
berger Broadcasting Services at For
tieth and Brandywine streets NV
and 200 feet above the tower granted
the National Broadcasting Co. al
Wardman Park Hotel.
The commission, which has not yet
acted on the proposed plan, ap-
proved the site as the most suitable
in the general area but raised the
question whether the tower height
could be reduced. 1t asked a delay
IN decision until after the next COM
mission meeting August l.
Mr. Kaufman brought out that
the Civil Aeronautics Authority has
indicated probable approval of a
400-foot tower at the location Sc
lected.
! Educational Use Cited.
! He cited an arrangement with
American University under which
the proposed facilities would be used
in connection with university cur
ricula in television and radio The
application was also supported by
Dr.. Paul Douglass, president of the
university.
DR.. Douglass told the board the
university had considered going into
| television on its own or in with a
group of other educational institu-
tions, but finally decided to become
associated with The Star as means
of combining professional operation
with educational instruction.
Mr.. Kaufman testified that the
company had already ordered $780,
600 worth of transmitting equipment
when its priority came up. No ma
terials for tower construction have
yet been ordered, he added. pending
action by the zoning board.
I'VE have a substantial investment
in this already" Mr.. Kaufman
said, "and we ask your help in pro-
viding Washington the very best
television service"
Attorneys George E. Hamilton, jr.,
and John L. Hamilton represented
the applicant.
Objections were filed by John H.
Connaughton of the Petworth Citi-
zens' Association and Gordon w
Atherholt of the Northwest Council
of Citizens Associations. Mr. Ather-
holt telegraphed his opposition from
North Carolina.
st. Johns Plans Move.
Plans for new location for his
toric st. Johns College. now at 1925
Vermont avenue NV, were dis
closed when the college asked per-
mission to establish on the 24-acre
Airlie tract at Military road. Oregon
avenue and Twenty-seventh street
NV.
Vincent Toomey, attorney for the
college, told the board present en-
rollment of the Catholic school op-
Grated by the Christian Brothers
Is about 460 students and that some
200 are turned away annually. He
described the school as the oldest
and largest nonpublic school in
Washington.
Under present plans, If approved,
the college hopes to take possession
of Airlie by August l and begin re-
modelling the house to be used as
freshman building. Brother E.
Leonard of the college said the in
stitution would be operated at both
locations for few years before
eventually moving out to Airlie en-
tirely. There was no opposition.