Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-28
School Board
Push Fight
For "! Station
FEC Delays Action
Until 1t Gets More
Data on Finances

WI
The District School Board win
stand pat on its application for
an educational television station
here, despite the Federal Commu-'
nications Commissions postpone
ment Of consideration Of the re-
quest.
This is the view of School
Supt. Hobart M. Corning, as
disclosed today.
The FEC indicated in a letter
that it could not consider the
boards application until it knew
more about financing and CO.
operation with other cultural in
[StitutionS here.
DR.. Corning said a supplemental
appropriation sought by the
Commissioners includes $400, 900
for setting up the station, but
mo one knows what Congress
will do with it."
AS to the cooperation aspect,
DR.. Corning feels that the pres
ent scheme, through an advisory
council, offers all other cultural
and educational groups here full
use of the proposed station.
Meanwhile, a member of the
Washington Educational Tele-
vision Committee offered the
hope that agreement can be
reached between the Board of
Education and cultural leaders
over control Of the television
channel. -
DR.. Luther Evans, Librarian
of Congress and a member Of
the committee, made the sug-
gestion.
The FCC's letter said that,
when the application was filed
last October, the District Com
missioners directed the District
budget officer to include in the
budget about 100000 to build
the outlet. The FEC said it has
had no further information on
the status of this item.
Decision PleaSes Evans,
On hearing of the FEC letter,
DR.. Evans said he was glad of
FCC's decision.
ST think it gives a very good
opportunity for further consid-
GRAFTON of how this ought to be
done, both by the Washington
committee and by the school
board.
"As one of the people active
in the committee, I would like to
find some way to cooperate with
the school board so we could
have a joint proposal to place
before the FEC that would have
a better chance for success than
either one of us acting alone.
At also think the schools of
the District and the surrounding
territory must be the most i'm
portant single element in our
program. I, for one, will work
sympathetically and very closely
with the. school board to try to
work out a common solution of
the matter.
IT feel my colleagues will take
the same attitude toward the
whole program"
Financing Step Proposed.
DR.. Evans then suggested that
the next step be an effort to try
and create a corporation capable
of raising necessary funds. Or,
he said, the alternative might
be joining forces with the school
board so an amended application
by that body would be generally
satisfactory to the other educa-
tional and cultural groups in
volved, including the Ford
Foundation.
The foundations fund for adult
education on February 16 Of
fered about 100000 for the TV
project on condition that no one
organization has total control.
Foundation spokesman also have
stated that the community must
raise at least 100000 and that
there must be a broad basis of
community participation in the
stations activities.
DR.. Corning indicated that
such a corporation, applying for
the channel, might be a good
thing. Let the FEC decide be-
tween us" he said. The educator
indicated he did not think the
control of the station could pass
from public agency (the school
board) if it were financed with
public funds.
The FEC, in its letter, called
attention to the letter of Feb
ruary II. signed by the educa-
tors, representatives of museums,
libraries and other groups. This
letter reported the prospects of
getting the 100000 from the
Ford Foundation.