Evening star., 1960-05-04
By ROBERT X. WALSH
star stan Writer

~ &SODGhA H. w FlASh
star stan Writer
House investigators of payola
IN the television and radio bUsi-
ness turned today to the task
Of drafting stricter laws to
stop deceptive practices and
raise ethical standards.
The curtain came down late
yesterday on almost five months
Of inquiry and public hearings
oy the House Legislative Over
sight Subcommittee. Chairman
Harris, Democrat Of Arkansas,
planned to begin closed Ses-
sions, probably tomorrow, and
predicted that remedial legis-
lation soon will be ready for |
the House.
Emphasizing that they simply |
scratched the surface in the |
inquiry and were more intent |
on getting to the root Of The |
problem than on stigmatizing |
any performer, producer or
network, subcommittee men,
bers declared they have ample
grounds for legisla tive action.
$2sS,244 in Payola
The final open session was
cltmaxed by a subcommittee
STAN survey indicating that 1870
record distributors gave payola
totaling $263,244.67 in 1958-59
10 207 disc jockeys and other
personnel in ~ cities in 81
States. STAFF aides explained
that this finding was based on
replies to a questionnaire sent
to $50 record distributing COM
panies.
Leonard H. Goldenson. Amer
ican Broadcasting Co. presi-
dent, commended the subcom-
mittee yesterday for its inves-
tigation. He suggested legisla-
ton to outlaw payola. He de-
clared his network has eStab-
hshed a strict policy not only
OF firing employees involved in
taking payments 20 plug rec
ords, but also requiring them to
sever outside connections that
might interfere with their "ob-
jectivity" on programs.
Subco m mittee members
praised Mr.. Goldenson as a
helpful witness, but urged that
he and other industry officials
go even further by removing
some Of the trash" from pro-
grams, providing more cultural
and educational features, and
cutting down on commercials.
The ABC president said a trend
toward better programs is
under way.
New Report on Clark
Dick Clark, the Nations No.
/ disc jockey idolized by many
teen-agers, finished his appear
ance before the subcommittee
Monday, but the echoes lin
gered on yesterday.
The subcommittee received
from its staff an analysis in
dicating that Mr.. Clark's Amer
ican Bankstand program stren-
uously played and pushed
songs in which he had an
interest"
Mr.. Clark had contended
that he chose records solely
on merit and on his judgment
that they were popular with
listeners.
The staff study indicated
that a large percentage Of the
records he played most often
were handled by record and
music firms in which he had
a financial interest. The 30
year-old Mr.. Clark, who re-
ported making profits of more
than $500.000 from those busi-
ness connections and from his
regular salary. divested him
self Of all outside business in
terests last fall at the request
Of ABC.
"Dick Clark" Mr.. Golden
son told the subcommittee yes
terday, sis a fine fellow who
merely needed some direction"
Dick Clark" said Represent
ative Mack, Democrat Of Illi-
nois, ::not only iSthe top disc
Jockey in the country but also
is top dog in payola."
Data Supports Clark
Evidence at the subcommit-
tee hearings supported Mr..
Clark's declaration that he
never took payola. He testified
he indirectly" had paid some
payola through one Of the com.
panies with which he was for.
lnerly associated.
Mr.. Goldenson and subcom-
mittee members agreed there
were many gray areas" in the
problem Of payola, not the least
Of which is the difficulty of
finding an exact definition of
payola.
Chairman Harris and his COL
leagues said today that in their
closed session deliberations
they will try to work out a COM