Evening star., 1960-05-15
BY ISABELLE SHELTON
Star Stan Writer

oy
Star Stan Writer
Will this years presidential
candidates engage in a series CT
nationally televised great debates,
in the tradition of the famous Lin
coln-Douglas encounters of a CEN
tury ago?
Proponents of such a course win
open a drive for it tomorrow on
Capitol Hill. Adlai E. Stevenson,
who has written eloquently in
favor Of such discussion on the
great issues of our time with the
whole country watching" will be
the first witness before a subcom-
mittee of the Senate Interstate
and Foreign Commerce Commit
tee. headed by Senator Pastore of
Rhode Island.
Under discussion will be a bill
introduced by Democratic Sena-
tors MagnuSon and Monroney, 10
other Democrats and one Repub-
lican. Senator Case of South Da-
kota.
The bill provides that each tele-
vision network and station must
give one hour a week of prime
viewing time free to each major
presidential candidate for the
eight weeks preceding the elec-
ton.
The program would be on all
network stations in a given area
simultaneously. Independent sta
tions would have a little more lee
way in time of presentation.
The time made available would
have to be used personally by the
candidate. He could not send in
pinch-hitter, except his vice presi-
dental running mate, and that
no more than twice.
The Third-Porty Angle
In order not to freeze out a
third-party candidate perma-
nently, the bill provides that any
party whose candidate polled 4
per cent of the total popular vote
in the preceding election would
be eligible for the free time. Only
Republicans and Democrats would
qualify this year.
The bill does not specifically
require that the time be used in
debate, but that is what is en-
visioned by its sponsors. Whether
the two men debate face to face
in the same studio or on a split
screen from different cities prob
ably would be determined by the
exigencies of campaign schedules.
Many other details also have
deliberately been left flexible, &C
cording to Senator Monroney.
Were very amenable to
changes" Senator Monroney said,
including the amount of time.
I feel so strongly the Importance
of candidate saying what he
stands for, in a serious discussion,
with millions of people listening.
that I won't quibble over details.
II want to bring the candidate
into every living room, without
hoopla, dancing Indians, movie
starletS, Lawrence Welks, cliches
and slogans" the Oklahoman
continued.
Skyrocketing costs of television
campaigning are responsible for
the growing interest in the de-
bate idea, with the broadcasters
required to give the time free as
part of their franchise obligation
to serve the public interest, con-
venience and necessity"
Whot the Parties Paid
Republican organizations re-
ported spending $3,006,412 on
television alone in 1856, from
September l through November
sc, plus another $877 800 on radio.
Comparable Democratic figures are
$2,292, ,228 and $559,979.
With the great increase in the
number of television stations since
1856, plus some boosts in rates,
G. o. P. Chairman ThruSton Nor
ton has estimated it will be neces-
sary to spend close to twice as
much money this year to get any
thing like the same amount Of
coverage.
Many members of both parties
also have expressed concern at
the potential obligation a political
party incurs toward special inter-
estS which help pay the freight
for sizable sums such as TV time
requires.
Worried on Funds