Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-09-15

4 another within the next few
weeks. If at all possible, than
to have the public lose faith in
te integrity Of Re administrative
process.
This statement implies the
decision could 60 either way
But the commission already il
practically mmitted Il
launching an extensive test Of
pay Tv.
After years Of delay the FEC
last May decided, first, that II
had legal power to authorize
pay TV. and second, that II
should initiate a broad trial.
Sought Advice
It asked the industry to sug-
gest ground rules for the test
Proponents submitted detailed
replies. while opponents urged
delay. Tuesdays FEC meeting
viii consider these reports.
The commission may reach
an immediate decision, or may
call for more information
Scheduling Of oral hearings
probably would mean a long
delay. giving Congress another
chance to intervene.
We've got a monkey on our
back Commissioner Robert e
Lee commented in an interview
IT don't see how we can post
pone action. We've had this
thing before US for years. Anc
n don't see how we can reject
the petitions outright"
Mr.. Lee favors full approva'
of pay TV, but is ready to set.
tie for an early test. THE only
way to ind out is to try it," HI
said.
The problem Of ground rule'
is sufficiently complicated II
delay action at least severa
weeks. even If the commission
decides to go ahead, The FEC
must try to devise q test that's
realistic enough to produces
meaningftll conclusions. At the
same time. they must try II
avoid entrenching pay Tv be.
fore they finally approve q per-
Imanent system.
May Limit Hours
rec may limit pay Tv broad
casting to so many hours
year, or TO q percentage o.
total air time: exclude network
stations: confine pay TV Il
ultra high frequency channels
which are in very limited usl
now; limit the test TO certain
TYPE Of cities: try out one Of
more Of the proposed systems,
and set up dozens Of Othei
rules for the test.
Mr.. Doerfer conceded thG
chance that even experimental
lpay T'V might eventually de.
stroy our free television sys.
tenn" He seeks q way to pr.
srve the one while experiment.
ling with the other"
Mr.. Lee agreed that 1t win b.
difncult to keep the tests or
q trial basis. II pay Tv sue
Iceeds in q test, rec hardly
could force it out Of business
after three years or so. he said
II 1t fails. the experimenter'
viii drop the idea before the
trial period ends. he said.
But he's almost sure pay TV
will boom once it gets started
HE foresees telecasting Of cost
lily. dazzling programs-first-
run movies, sports classics
Broadway shows. all-star talent
programs to supplement free
lTV. Pay TV also might solve
the financial problems Of edu-
cational television and could
collect small political contri-
buttons from millions OF
voters. he believes.
Besides. he added. there's q
billion dollars In this for some
body"
Opponents Warn
Opponents, however. warn
that pay TV hroadcasters would
have the money to lure all the
top talent and thus drive free
television out of business.
Eventually. they predict. pro-
gram quality would settle down
to q low denomination and
viewers would pay to see about
the same stuff they now get
free. Commercials might even
invade the pay TV channels.
And. argue the opponents. Il