The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1962-05-11


On Space Communications
Thursday U. S. House Representatives with
the of Olsen and Batn voted to make
gift of communications private monopoly under the
guse of enhancing the worldwide image of America the
bastion of free enterprise.
BY of 3549 the House served notice that the public
and it's huge investment communication exploration
be DAMNED that the American people shall not be the
beneficiary of Americas developing horizon when
monster monopoly American Tel Tel is most willing to
exploit that investment at substantial profit.
Telephone spokesman apoogsts Rep
resentaes will denv that the Space Act (R
11O40) passed last Thursday gift
Ma Bell They will tell you it faint so" that the bill
private corporation whereby American who
has extra buy share of stock that
private corporation control of the enterprise be-
cause existing companies will have only three
15-member of CONTROL private
panes not in total purchase than SO of the
corporations stock, etc.
However the act and dependent the amount
the field served AT&T concevably
chase UP to per cent corporate stock AT&T
its in control of ground stations and
existing communications facilities is in position to not
AZ per cent but very possibly s5 per cent of the profits which
will be forthcoming result of approximately half bill
lion dollars of research in communications paid for by
ALL the taxpayers of America.
gimmcks per the stock
available to utilities First off, rs of that SO
cent is reserved for purchase by foreign their
nationals That leaves only 80 available to the
American public But repeatedly brought out in floor
debate the bill last Wednesday and Thursday that 80
cent will not Immediately profitable investment in
fact because the act gives existing private companies such
ney profitable facitiesthat 80 per
will probably not substantial profit Control of that
80 cent will probably end the hands of insurance
panes and other large financial many of whom
nerlocked with AT&T who afford wait ten
years before realizing moderate return on investment
How we'll AT&T, along with RCA and a few other COM
municaons had done their job of persuadng Congress
and particularly the House Interstate and Foreign Com
Committee headed by Arkansas Rep Harris shown
in the Cong. Record of May and 3.
Every major amendment proposed whether by the number
antitrust specialist in the House, Emanuel Celler other
representatives concerned with protecting the public
beaten down at Harris request.
Every amendment aimed at weakening the proposed
oily communications went down by lopsided standing
voice votes Harris expressed his opposition
amendment which would have required the corporation
period of to the u treasury $471 million
already developing the revolutionary concept
found little favor in the House.
All of this done in the of free" enterprise
term repeatedly used by they rallied the
whelming majority of the House their Bell
banner
This repeated of meaningless ciche most
fantastic grauity private monopoly drew forth
William Fits Ryan and Benjamin Rosentha of New York
pointed comments which fitting quote closing this
editorial Here from the final statements the
by these two of the stalwars who refused
party to making gift Of this public development to private
monopoly
MR. RYAN: "Br. during
the words free enterprise used time and time
the public
Sqn Il