Evening star., 1949-09-27
Rosenman Protests
SET Manufacturers
| Attitude on Color N
BY Robert K. Walsh

By Robert K. Walsh
A claim by the Radio Manufac-
turers' Association that color tele-
vision is not ready for commercial
use and that any color system
should enable present receivers to
pick UP the broadcasts In black
and white, drew a sharp protest
today from Samuel I. Rosenman,
former White House assistant, at
Federal Communications Commits
sion hearings.
Judge Rosenfnan represents the
Columbia Broadcasting System,
which, along with the Radio Corp.
OF America and Color Television,
Inc, have developed widely diff
ferent color systems.
The FCC's second day of hear
ings on the color television prob
lem had its first spectacular flare.
up during the testimony Of Ray
n1ond G. Cosgrove OF Cincinnati,
president of the manufacturer
group. He urged the FCC-when
and If it approves color television
for commercial operation - to
guarantee that "the millions of
receivers now in the hands of the
public. and which the public will
continue to purchase, will be able,
without any extra cost or incon-
venience, to receive in black and
white all programs, whether
transmitted in color or in black
and white and without degrading
the quality Of pictures"
Rosenman Protests Stand.
Judge Rosenman protested this
stand and declared it differed from
the manufacturers earlier atti-
tude. He said it also went con-
trary to the definition of the FEC
itself that the idea of "compati-
bility" leaves room for minor
notifications" Of existing black
and white television sets.
The term compatibility" is ap-
piled to the color television prin-
ciple that can be received on a
black and white type set without
requiring changes.
The CHS color system, as DEM
onstrated in a private preview
here last night, uses mechanical
converter and adapter devices
which the company says would
cost very little to enable present
set owners to get color programs.
The RCA system, now being tested
over Station WNBW, is
electronic and operates
on the compatible system, COM
pany technicians say.
FEC Chairman Wayne Coy
sought to quiet the dispute by
observing that the commission
seeks all possible information and
would receive individual comments
subject to later cross-examination. |
No Preference A to System.
Mr.. Cosgrave went on to say that
a recent manufacturers survey
report indicated that results
would be disastrous to the public
and the entire Tv industry" if the
commission approved any Of the
color systems in their
present state of development.
I'VE have no preference as to
systems" he explained, but we
do want standards which will per-
init us to manufacture receivers
Of the highest quality which will
bring black and white and color |
pictures at least equal in quality |
to those which now are being re-
ceived on TV. We would be crazy
if we didn't want color television,
but we urge the commission to |
make haste soundly. In any event
we do not believe color TV will |
ever entirely replace black and
white" s<
Competing Firms to Testify.
CHS, RCA and Color Television,
Inc, officials, however. will take
the stand later this week In an |
effort to convince the commission |
that color television has been |
sufficiently developed to justify |
general commercial use and that |
present set owners would not
lose out. While they agree on that
point, each concern believes its
own system is the most efficient
and inexpensive and should get
the nod from FEC.
CHS invited about 100 guests to
witness its color system last night
at the Hotel Statler, preliminary
10 its demonstrations October s |
and z at the Carlton Hotel in con-
nection with the FEC hearings.
A half-hour musical revue In
full. clear-cnt color was trans
mitted with Television Station
WoIC providing the relay. Two
receiving sets were installed In q
hotel suite. One was q regular
black and white set with an ex-
terror disc-type converter and in
side. adapter, which, according tol
company officials. would cost be-
tween $75 and 500. The other set
was specially built to receive color
television.
CHS plans daily series of pro.
gram broadcasts this week but
they will not be seen on black and