weal and human happiness aside from its regular functions. We have no artistry to sell, nor music to dispose of. We get nothing material from advertising stolen autos, or distributing the information that a sick mother is calling for her wayward son. But we deem it an honor to be able to flood the length and breadth of our beloved America with all that is best in song, in story, in lecture, and in scientific findings. To be able to assemble artists, and let them have an audience of shut-ins, of isolated and otherwise unprivileged communities, is in itself a reward commensurate with its cost.

True, it is expensive, and at times may be considered poor business policy. But is it? When, last winter,, snowstorms paralyzed a great portion of our State, when all telegraph and telephone communication ceased, Station WOC was the only medium of S O S and its timely aid was the means of reducing much of human suffering. As a

And that is why we keep WOC going. As a thing of profit? No. thing of service? Yes. And what was once said on another occasion may also be repeated concerning radio.

If when the Master comes to view our work
And lay it in the balance to be tried

I find that the world has been enriched
Truly we shall be satisfied.

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

[By Harold J. Power, WGI, American Radio & Research Corporation, Medford Hillside, Mass.] In the early days of broadcasting there was no specific Government regulation covering broadcast stations. There were plenty of regulations covering the expert amateur transmitting stations, commercial radio, etc.

The Amrad Co. had been experimentally broadcasting since 1915 in order to carry out our plan of having radio used by the American public. There were two important fundamental problems to be solved before an industry could be built. We believed in the early days that a large industry could be built around radio, because anything which is useful in the American home provides the basis of an industry of large size. The two fundamental problems were, first, proper broadcasting, and, second, a suitable receiving instrument, for intercepting the broadcasting, which was sufficiently simple in manipulation so that the ordinary layman could use it successfully without technical knowledge. When the vacuum tube was developed as an oscillator, that is a generator of high frequency currents, and the experiments were conducted between Arlington and Paris, we were sure that the first problem could be solved by proper commercialization. The receiving instrument offered many more difficulties because it must not only be sensitive but selective in tuning and yet simple to operate. The transmitting end progressed and by 1920 our engineers had produced a simplified receiver. It was a crystal with only one dial for tuning and was sold with the guaranty that it could be operated by anyone. Long before any market could be created it was necessary to start our broadcasting in order to give the newspapers something to talk about and so educate the American public to the fact that radio was a useful thing for their homes.

You may be interested in the origin of the 360-meter transmitting wave length. At our station we had a nonsupporting 300-foot tower guyed with steel cables. We found there were certain wave lengths which would give us a much better result that others and on testing on short waves we found that 360 meters was better than any other. We therefore used 360 meters and it thus came into being.

When the public interest awakened and numbers of broadcasting stations were being erected overnight the Government authorities were at a loss as to how to properly license such stations because none of the regulations then in force applied to this new type of radio station. One of the Government radio inspectors suggested that 360 meters be used, and without giving the matter much thought all radio broadcast stations were instructed to transmit on 360 meters. Obviously, this created a great deal of confusion, because it did not take much intelligence to see that if all stations were operated on the same wave lengths there would be a jumble of noises in the air. The listeners protested, the manufacturers protested, and Washington heard the call. Secretary Hoover was quick to act and immediately called a conference of all those interested.

The conference was to discuss proper regulations and recommendations upon which new legislation could be based. One or two monopolistic plans presented to the conference were immediately killed. I was fearful lest the Government act too quickly and possibly curb the proper advancement of radio by promulgating hasty regulations. While the conference was in session I went to the late President Harding and obtained his assurance that no hasty action would be taken. The problem was altogether too complex to be quickly settled. The National Radio Chamber of Commerce took as one of its first problems the developing of a constructive radio broadcast plan of operation for submission to the Government. A year later Secretary Hoover called another conference, last spring, and the chamber presented a unified plan worked out during the summer of 1922. Briefly, this called for a staggering of wave lengths and the dividing of the country into zones.

The staggering idea was adopted by the second conference and, as we all know, has increased many times the value of radio. The big thing is that the Government are right behind the radio industry with a distinct desire to assist in a constructive way. As Secretary Hoover pointed out at the first conference, radio was unusual in that it was the first business which had demanded of the Government more legislation.

Most industries are handicapped by having too much Government in business. Therefore, Secretary Hoover's first conference was a unique gathering of business men seeking regulation by the Government.

Of course, radio does not intend to stand still. In addition to the staggering plan, I proposed the idea of three-station simultaneous operation. As I see it, radio will not be what it should until the "listener-in" can get "what he wants when he wants it." In other words, if a listener wants to hear jazz, he ought to be able to tune in and get it. If he wants to hear classical music, he should be able to tune in and get that. If he desires to hear lectures, etc., he ought to be able to get them at any time in the day or evening. I therefore recommend that in each large city there should be three stations operating simultaneously. One sending jazz all evening, one sending out classical music, and one sending out oral work. The wave lengths of each class of programs should be sufficiently staggered with respect to one another so that there will be no interference. The three stations in the next nearest center should also have their wave lengths staggered not only with respect to themselves but also to the three stations in the other center. This plan has been worked out so that 45 stations can operate at the same time and not interfere with one another. Of course, to adopt such a scheme would necessitate a central bureau for coordinating the programs, preparing time schedules, etc. But the main point is that any station sending jazz in a given center would use one particular wave length. If there are three stations who want to send jazz, they would be divided under the time schedule and as they came on for their part of the time they would use the jazz wave length.

The Government are anxious to properly regulate radio. New legislation failed to pass in the last session of Congress and it is to be hoped that the legislation can be obtained during the next session. The way to get legislation is, of course, to have the listener-in and everyone interested and write their respective Senators and Representatives. Public opinion is a great lever to the accomplishment of anything. A deluge of letters to Washington would get action.

Secretary Hoover has now had sufficient time to study the entire situation, so that he has a proper basis for recommendation of new legislation. Every radio manufacturer, and particularly broadcaster, should be willing and must be willing to put in some time to help the authorities in making radio ever and ever better.

The public always get what they want, and all that is necessary is for them to specify what they want. To do this, they need organization and that is one of the purposes of the National Association of Broadcasters; namely, to give the Government an organized opinion of the broadcasters and listening public as a whole to the end that the American public can have what they desire. We are virtually public servants and must never lose sight of the fact that this is our real job. Our whole industry is based on service. Unless it is continually bettered we will not progress to the position to which we should attain. We can not stand still; we either go forward or backward. We intend to go forward. If you have any constructive ideas, kindly forward them to our New York office where they will be given full and careful consideration.

Great advancements have been made in radio broadcasting during the past year and broadcasting of to-day with the staggered wave lengths is so far better than it used to be that people who have not heard radio during the last year uni

66

versally remark: What a wonderful improvement has been made in broadcasting."

To

Radio is quickly becoming a necessity rather than a luxury in the home. be able to hear the Chief Executive of the Nation speak, the greatest of sermons and church music, to be able to transport yourself instantly, without leaving your armchair, to distant cities, to hear the news of the day, the ringside returns of prize fights, world series games play by play, is truly a remarkable achievement.

THE FUTURE OF BROADCASTING

[By Eugene McDonald, jr., WJAZ, Zenith Edgewater Beach Hotel, Chicago, Ill.}

"The future of broadcasting"-the subject is one that lends itself to the imagination. I was rather amused when I read the assignment, because I thought of those who probably were placed in the same predicament on other occasions, when, for instance, in the early days some one was asked to talk on the future of the locomotive or, in Mr. Graham Bell's time, a post-prandial orator was invited to speak on the future of the telephone. No man's imagination was nimble enough to prefigure for either of these what really came to pass, and certainly I realize how feeble my own judgment and how short my vision, when I stand on the threshold of the era of broadcasting and try to peep with my mind's eye back of the curtain of futurity.

Using what has happened in the space of a short year as an indication, the ultimate history of broadcasting will be a large volume; to date only the first page is written. At that the work of the National Association of Broadcasters stands as a tribute to the wonderful progress already made. Only a few broadcasters a year ago and now over 600. Already the broadcasters are the most potent force of communication and the biggest dispensers of entertainment.

It does not take much stretch of one's fancy to conceive of a radio set in every American home. Contemplate the power the organized broadcasters of the furure will wield in having direct communication with every fireside in the country. Any concerted action on the part of the broadcasters to deliver a specific message to the radio public would have but little waste of circulation.

But why confine myself to the extreme limits of this country when the likelihood is that broadcasting facilities will progress so that the larger stations will be able to reach to the ends of the earth, increasing to the utmost limits the scope of their influence. The caravans of the Sahara, the nomads of Russia, the natives of South Africa, people everywhere, will be amenable to the influence of radio.

The time may come when the newspapers and broadcasters will be united in the common undertaking of spreading the news. Duly established offices in all parts of the world will edit the news before it is finally transmitted in finished from and set hours will be arranged for people the world over to get the news. Public conveyances like the railroads, subways, elevated trains, and surface lines will be equipped with radio for uninterrupted news service for passengers. Then when the German cabinet resigns at 11 p. m. on a certain day we shall have knowledge of it in New York or Chicago or San Francisco 30 minutes later. The King of Persia may be married next morning at 9 and the nuptial ceremony considered interesting enough by the newspapers and broadcasters' alliance to be transmitted in detail, such as the bouts of the prize fighters are to-day, or the base ball games inning by inning. Such is the probable ultimate destiny of the broadcasters as news circulators.

On the amusement side there are the same unlimited possibilities for the broadcasters' association. In time they will be the booking agencies for the best talent of the world and the ramifications of that phase of their activity will be as varied and mulitiplied as those of all of the theatrical booking agencies combined of to-day.

Why is it not within the realm of easy possiblity to enact laws authorizing the Government to pay the boradcasters for their public service? We can readily conceive of the Government issuing a radio tax just as the vehicle tax, which is quite natural for us to pay in this day and age, but unknown not so very long ago.

But this is not all. Coincident with this development of broadcasting will arise the very natural and unavoidable situation where the Society of Composers and Authors, although considerably dwarfed in size and basking in the reflected glory of the preemince enjoyed before broadcasting came into its own, will

be paying the broadcasting association for the use of music and literature controlled by the broadcasters' association, all the good and desirable music and writing of that time. For it will be a mark of distinction for the artist and the author to be recognized by the broadcasters' association. The future of the Society of Composers and Authors, I regret to state, can not be painted in brilliant hues.

But, of course, most, if not all, of this mental picture of the future can be a reality only by virtue of an organized agency. It will not just happen. It would not occur if every broadcaster stood aloof of the other and failed to give a hand for the common weal of broadcasters. At best it is only a faint glimpse of what probably will take place. When one contemplates the rapid and vast development of the leading inventions, and bears in mind what the broadcasting association has already accomplished, the wildest guess about the future of broadcasting will fall far short. Aye, the future of the broadcasters' association is a source of much encouragement and should stimulate all of us to cooperate with our association to the fullest extent.

Mr. PERKINS. There is no objection.

The committee will recess until 7.30 o'clock.

(Whereupon, at 6 o'clock p. m., a recess was taken until 7.30.)

AFTER RECESS

The committee met, pursuant to the taking of the recess, at 7.30 o'clock p. m., Hon. Florian Lampert (chairman) presiding.

FURTHER TESTIMONY OF MR. ALFRED L. SMITH

The CHAIRMAN. You may proceed, Mr. Smith.

Mr. BLOOM. Mr. Smith, before you proceed, Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, the Washington Times of this date, Tuesday, February 3, on the front page, publishes a statement supposed to have been issued by Mr. Smith. Did you authorize this statement, Mr. Smith?

Mr. SMITH. No, sir.

Mr. BLOOM. I wish you would kindly read it and state to the chairman and the members of the committee whether you issued that statement to the press, and whether anything in your testimony delivered before this committee up to the present time substantiates the statement printed in that paper.

Mr. SMITH. Do you want me to read it?

Mr. BLOOM. No, sir; Mr. Smith, my question is right to the point. Mr. SMITH. You asked me to read it.

Mr. BLOOM. Yes; I want you to read the statement, but I do not want you to read anything in your brief; just read the statement and then answer my question, whether anything in your testimony up to now agrees with that statement-did you make that statement to the press?

Mr. SMITH. Well, I do not know; I have not read it.

Mr. BLOOM. Well, read it please; I am asking you to read it to find out, and then answer my question.

Mr. SMITH. All right, sir. No; I did not make any such statement. I will tell you the conversation I had with a representative of the press. They asked me what I was going to testify to before the committee and I said, "Here is the brief I am going to argue." I will now argue that part of my brief that they took that from.

Mr. BLOOM. No. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, I make a motion that Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to read any

thing from his brief, and nothing is to go into the record that Mr. Smith gave out to the press before delivering or making such statements before this committee.

Mr. SMITH. May I make a statement, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. BLOOM. Yes.

Mr. VESTAL. I think that during this discussion the stenographer should raise his pen.

Mr. BLOOM. I wish my motion and my statement of my objection to appear in the record.

Mr. SMITH. I am willing my statement should be in the record. › The CHAIRMAN. All right, let it go in.

Mr. SMITH. This brief, which is something we are going to use anyway later the brief which I argue-has been seen by representatives of the press, in reply to the question as to what points I was going to make before the committee. I made all the points that they had in this brief, with the exception of those points I have been coming to. This afternoon I went through the brief in the order in which it was written. It is just now to the point where I am going to resume. I am not responsible for what the press said. It is perfectly proper, as far as I know, to release to the press the arguments on a bill that you are going to maintain.

Mr. BLOOM. Is that all you have to say?

Mr. SMITH. Yes, sir.

Mr. BLOOM. Mr. Chairman, I again renew my motion, and I want to exclude any statement or any matter contained in the brief of Mr. Smith that was published in the daily papers prior to the time that Mr. Smith gave any utterance to any such remarks before this committee.

Mr. SMITH. May I supplement what I have already said by a further word? We have appeared on behalf of our industry on a great many occasions, both on our own part and at the suggestion of people here who wanted the information, and we usually back up what we want to say, and prepare in writing everything we are going to say, and it has always been customary for our organization generally to release their side of the case to the committee, and I do not think there is any reason why I should be held responsible for the way in which the newspapers played it up. I have not read this, so I do not know whether they have copied my brief verbatim or what they did, but the brief in its entirety will be placed before the committee, unless Mr. Bloom prevents this information coming before the committee.

Mr. BLOOM. Mr. Chairman, if the different statements made in the different papers, and given out by Mr. Smith, are in any way libelous, it has no place before this committee or in the records in any way, shape, or form. The statement was not made by Mr. Smith to this committee, as mentioned in the press.

Mr. SMITH. The representatives of the press are here, Mr. Bloom. Mr. BLOOM. This is not what you said before this committee, Mr. Smith.

Mr. SMITH. I do not know what they said

Mr. BLOOM. You gave that statement out to the press.

Mr. SMITH. No; I gave this brief out to the press.

Mr. BLOOM. You gave out either a statement or the brief.