Evening star., 1946-01-23

Close cooperation with American
University in television program
ming would follow ALLEGATION of a
license to The Evening Star Broad
casting Co., Kenneth H. Berkeley,
general manager, testified today at a
Federal Communications Commits
sion hearing on assignment of four
visual channels here.
The applicant, present owner of
Radio Station WMAL, plans tele-
vision transmitter and studio on the
university campus as part of an ex-
pansion program which also includes
construction of a $1,000,000 radio
center in downtown Washington. A
frequency modulation transmitter
also would be located on the univer-
sity grounds If another pending ap-
plication by the company is granted
May Televise Redskins.
Mr.. Berkeley said lectures by
faculty members and drama pro-
grams utilizing student talent are
among the features envisoned. He
explained that a specific program
pattern could not be offered in ad-
vance OF experimental work to de-
termine public tastes.
The telecasting of sports contests,
public ceremonies and arrivals and
departures of prominent personages
are among other possibilities, he
added. The company has been ac-
corded first refusal" privileges with
respect to televising professional
football games of the Washington
Redskins, Mr.. Berkley testified.
Technical data for the proposed
television transmitter was presented
by Worthington c. Lent, consultant
engineer. A 400-foot antenna tower
was included. William A. Roberts,
attorney for Allen B. Du Mont
Laboratories, Inc, another appli-
can't, called Mr.. Lent's attention to
possible hazards to airline opera
tion. FEC Chairman Paul E. Por-
ter, conducting the hearing, pointed
out that this problem would be "the
joint responsibility" of successful
applicants and the commission.
NBC Opens Its Case.
John F. Royal, vice president in
charge of television operations o1
the National Broadcasting Co.
opened his firms case with a dec
laration that he felt ownership of a
television station here essential to
plans for network television. Mr.
Royal said he was convinced NBC
program standards could not be sat-
isfled by use of an affiliated rather
than an owned visual outlet in the
capital.
Public figures of the future will
need to be telegenic," Mr.. Royal told
the hearing. He said that it had been
his experience television viewing of
football games was in every respect
satisfactory and "in some respects,
you are able to follow the play bet
ter"
Plans for the new main studio
and Office building of The Evening
Star Broadcasting Co. were revealed
at the hearing yesterday by S. H.
kaufmann, president of the COM
pany. He emphasized that it would
be built irrespective of disposition
of the pending television and fire.
quency modulation applications and
said that tract on the northwest
corner of Twelfth and K streets
NV. had been acquired for the
purpose.
Offices, Studios, Laboratory
Mr.. Kaufman testified that
plans will go forward for construc-
ton Of the finest building that can
be designed for the approximately
81 100000 earmarked. Executive
offices, studios, lecture rooms, labo-
ratories and a library will be provid-
ed. Space not Immediately required
for radio operations will be made
available to lessees until needed.
Facilities envisioned would be
ample to house studios OF Sta
ton WMAL as well as the produc-
ton of frequency modulation pro-
grams-the so-called "staticless
sound broadcasting-and television
shows, if the commission authorizes
them.
An option agreement between the
applicant and the trustees OF
American University providing for
the leasing of television transmit
ter site on the campus of that in
stitution if license is granted was
introduced at the hearing. If exer-
cised during its three-year term, the
option would provide for a 10-year
lease, renewable for four like peri
DDS, and the construction by The