Evening star., 1947-09-18
broadcasfers Study
PetriIIo Ban on Live
Music for FM Radio
BY the Associofed Press

ATLANTIC CITY, N. j., Sept. 1s
AS the Nations broadcaster
gathered today in the final session
of their 25th annual convention
they were perhaps most consciou:
of a man who wasn't there-Jame.
c. Petrillo.
The reported ban by Mr.. Petrillo's
AFL-American Federation of Mu.
sicians on further frequency modu-
lation network broadcasts of live
musical programs posed a new
problem for the fast-growing new.
type broadcasting.
Everett billiard of Washington
president of the new Continental
Network of FIN stations said the
Musicians Union edict took effect
today. Notice of the union action
he said, was served against both
originating stations of the network
WHEN at Rochester, N. Y, anc
WASH at Washington.
(Off1cials of WASH, which Is
on the air from 2:45 to, Ills
pm, said their schedules fire.
quently include "live music" pro-
grams, which would presumably
be Cancelled by the union stand.)
Proposed Code Discussed.
The NARs delegates, meanwhile,
renewed discussion of a proposed
broadcasting code designed to pre-
vent excessive commercial an
nouncements and in general raise
program standards.
Owners and officials of inde-
pendent stations have raised most
of the objections to the proposed
new standards of practice drafted
by a special NAB committee. They
contend that the phrasing of the
provisions on commercial announce
ments v particularly the so-coned
spot commercials work
special hardships on independent
stations and give a comptitive ad-
vantage to network -affililated sta
tions.
Concern was expressed by some
broadcasters that the Federal Com
munications Commission might use
the code to further it's policy of
supervision of the content of radio
programs.
FEC Chairman Charles r. Denny
told the broadcasters yesterday that
the commission, in considering the
overall picture, might inquire
whether an applicant for a new
license or license renewal had lived
up to the minimum standards
adopted by the industry.
Mr.. Denny emphasized, however
that code or no code, the commits
sioners would continue to exercise
"a responsibility of our own-and we
do not intend to abdicate that re-
sponsibilty."
No Program Duplication.
The American Federation of Mu-
sicians development affecting the
Continental Network brought an en-
tirely new problem to frequency
modulation-a lusty infant of the
broadcasting family.
Mr.. Petrillo previously had re-
fused to permit duplication of live
musical programs over both stand
ard anad FIN stations. That left
FIN stations with the problem OF
paying a separate staff of musicians
If they wanted to broadcast live
rather than recorded music.
However, the Continental Net
work Of AZ stations had arranged
for musical talent for broadcast
only on FIN, with no duplication
over standard. The first sponsored
live musical program over the net
work was aired only last Friday
night, featuring the Rochester Sym
phony Orchestra. It has been book
ed for 16 weeks.
The reported musicians union
move apparently puts FM-so fa1
as network broadcasts are con-
cerned-in the same category with
television. Mr.. Petrillo has refused
to permit 'rlive" music for television
until the union has formulated q