The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1946-02-07
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IL WASHINGTON
BY WoItsr Sheod
WNU ~ces.sapondsss
WNU Washington Bureau.
1916 Eye ST.. N. ".
Poor Radio Programs
Irk Rural Listeners

lrk Rural Listeners
EARM organizations here are "
1 in arms against radio station.
and the radio networks because they
believe rural listeners are being dis
eliminated against in ALLEGATION o.
time and the type Of program.
beamed to farm audiences.
Through four days Of hearings be
fore the Federal Communications
commission representatives Of the
National Grange, the National
Farmers Union and the National
Council Of Farmer C~o-operatives
laid their grievances on the table in
an effort to induce the FEC to de-
mand more adequate farm pro-
grams broadcast at a time when
farm and rural folks can listen.
The contention was ~ that the
stations and networks are not allo-
eating sufficient time to farm pro-
grams; (2) that programs now be-
ing broadcast are not Of high cali
Der or interest to agriculture; ~
that time Of broadcast makes It in
convenient or impossible for rural
folks to listen; ~ that Fl million
rural listeners are shut of at night
from primary radio service and
must be content with relatively in
ferior secondary service, and 10 mill
lion rural folks live outside the day
time service area Of any standard
broadcast station; and (5) due to
new ALLEGATIONS many radio stations
Of land grant universities have been
cut off the air by clear channel sta
tions at times when farmers can
listen.
The department of agriculture was
represented at the hearing by John
Baker. chief Of the radio service Of
USDA, and M. L. Wilson, agriculture
extension director. The farm lead
ers were outspoken in their disap-
pointment at Bakers testimony in
the belief he did not back them up.
although they maintain Agriculture
Anderson was interested
in presenting a ''strong case" in
behalf Of his department.
Farm, Home Hour Dropped
Farm leaders point to the loss of
the National Farm and Home Hour.
For many months this ran as a CO.
minute, six-days-a-week show dur
ing the noon hour in which the de-
of agriculture and farm
organizations participated. They say
that the show has now de%teriorated
into a five-minute Saturday presen-
tation sponsored by a farm machin-
cry manufacturer. Farm leaders
contend that if the radio broadcast
ers were sympathetic to the more
than so million rural listeners they
allocate more and better time
and would program shows Of spe-
cial interest to farm audiences.
Many clear channel stations and
the networks were represented at
the hearing by their lawyers. While
they presented no evidence. they did
cross-examine the witnesses for
the farm organizations. which in
Russell Smith Of the Farm
ers Union. c. Maurice Wieting Of
the Co-operatives. and Louis Will
son Of the Grange.
Paul Porter, chairman Of the Fed
eral Communications commission.
In an address before the National
Association Of Broadcasters last
shortly after he assumed
craftsmanship Of the commission,
pointed out the "intolerable situa-
ton" in which rural listeners found
due to lack Of good radio
service. This statement indicated
that he might do something about
the ALLEGATION Of new wave lengths.
Special Programs Needed
However. the farmers maintain
hat nothing hae been done to col.
rect the situation and they have lost
much Of the time that was formerly
allocated to farm programs. They
that farm and rural lis
;eners have a special need for pro-
tailored to the interests Of
Agriculture.
Mr.. Porter. in his address before
he broadcasters. pointed out the
'ery facts testified to by the farm
eaders. that 1875 per cent of the area
# continental United States inhabit.
ID by 10 million rural folk lies out.
tide the daytime service area of any
broadcast station. and that
It night almost 81 per cent Of the
lrea populated by 81 million folks
must rely on inferior service.
This is an intolerable situation
or a country with u great re.
'ources and technical capacity. The
condition is particularly aggravated
When you consider that the millions
Who have no service or only inferior
are precisely those isolated
'ural families which must rely on
ado for their contact with the out.
Tide world" Mr.. Porter said.
rs Up to Stations, Networks
The hoe roo,,Iotoru ...