which is known, that our country can best preserve its proportional share of the spectrum against the claims of other nations. Such a task is one of the primary responsibilities of the Federal Communications Commission. So far as I know, there are few people who are qualified to sit and advise with this Commission or with the State Department, or all combined, who are not in some capacity or another licensees of the Federal Communications Commission. This is one of the matters which the general public and many Members of Congress and many judges have never fully understood. Admittedly, there is "fraternization" and must of necessity be where committee members talk and are thrown together for many days at meetings in this country at conventions and for many weeks and even months in foreign countries negotiating treaties. It may very well be that we are fast approaching the time when the purely adjudicatory matters should be sloughed off the Federal Communications Commission or any agency which of necessity must "fraternize" so closely and intimately with members in developing the unknown and implementing the known, and over whom they have regulatory powers but without whom it is impossible to be fully informed. My only qualms about that is there are many matters occurring in the adjudicatory cases which also enrich the knowledge and experience of the Commissioners and the staff. In certain rulemaking proceedings oftentimes a very important consideration is either how best to make reallocations or a redistribution of portions of the spectrum prior to individual assignments which would tend to eliminate needless adjudication. I am fearful, therefore, that for many years it must be the burden of the adjudicatory purists to do with the seemingly "unthinkable fraternization" with the same people as a sort of necessary evil until the full fruits of the radio spectrum are realized. But until that time, I am most fearful that fraternization or the appearance of fraternization, and ex parte discussions must be endured, in all proceedings except those of an adjudicatory nature. The point I wish to make is that the Federal Communications Commission has furthered its statutory responsibilities to develop new and better uses of radio by maintaining close working relations with others in the field, including the industry we regulate. We believe this cooperation between Government and industry has produced results beneficial to the public. A classic example is found in the development by industry and Government of an air navigation control plan. This is detailed in the first two attachments to this letter which can be described as follows: No. 1. The Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) received the 34th award of the Collier Trophy which, as you know, is given for the outstanding contribution to aviation during the year. RTCA received it for the establishment of a guide plan for the development and implementation of a system of air navigation for traffic control. No. 2. The details of the plan show that it was worked up by a committee comprising representatives of Government and civil organizations. See pages 1, 4, and 87-89 of this attachment No. 2. The pattern of Government and industry working together on radio problems in aviation is shown in two other attachments: No. 3. The small pamphlet on RTCA shows its organizational relationship to the Federal Communications Commission; lists its membership from Government and industry; mentions its accomplishments; and gives its projects as of June 1, 1956. No. 4. Details on a recent RTCA project are given in "Frequency Requirements for Common System Air Traffic Control." On page 40 are listed Government and industry participants. In fulfilling statutory obligations to encourage and develop radio, the Federal Communications Commission widely employs the concept of working with industry. Instances in which the Commissioners and staff are working with industry are enumerated in attachment No. 5-List of Committees and Other Special Assignments to the Commission and Staff, March 1959. Details can be supplied on any of these, such as: 1. Radio Technical Commission for Marine Service (RTCM). See for instance attachment No. 6, a draft report of its Special Committee 37: "The Present and Future Requirements for Marine Services which Utilize Frequency Space," submitted for approval on June 15, 1959. 2. Technical Advisory Committee for Allocations (TACO). 3. Participation in preparatory work for international conferences such as Safety of Life at Sea; International Radio Conference in 1959 (ITU). 4. Membership as delegates with other Government agencies and industry to international conferences. 5. Television Interference Committee (TVIC). A Government regulatory agency establishing liaison with industry is consistent with the accepted concept of the administrative process as shown by the views of the first Hoover Commission in attachment No. 7. If there is anything else that you think would be helpful on this point, please do not hesitate to let me know. Sincerely yours, JOHN C. DOERFER, Chairman. (These attachments are incorporated herein by reference. They will be retained in the files of the subcommittee and be made available for examination upon request.) No. 1. Press release from National Aeronautic Association dated December 23 [1919]. No. 2. Air Traffic Control Paper, Radio Technical Commission (RTCA) 27-48/DO-12, by Special Committee 31, May 12, 1948. No. 3. Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) pamphlet "What It Is and What Is Does," second edition revised June 1, 1956. No. 4. "Frequency Requirements for Common System Air Traffic Control," RTCA paper 86-58/DO-84, May 13, 1958. No. 5. Federal Communications Commission pamphlet "List of Committees and Other Special Assignments to the Commission and Staff" prepared by the Organization and Methods Division of the Office of Administration, March 1959, mimeo 68592. No. 6. Draft report of Radio Technical Commission for Marine Services (RTCM) Special Committee 37: "The Present and Future Requirements for Marine Services Which Utilize Frequency Space" submitted for approval June 16, 1959. No. 7. Excerpts from task force report on regulatory commissions (app. N), prepared for the Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government, January 1949 (the first Hoover Commission.) FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION, Hon. OBEN HARRIS, DEAR CONGRESSMAN HARRIS: The following data is being submitted in response to a request for statistical information made on June 4, 1959, by the staff of the subcommittee. The Federal Communications Commission is composed of seven Commissioners, appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. At the close of 1958's fiscal year the Commission had a personnel total of 1,098, including 13 hearing examiners. The Commission received an appropriation of $8,364,976 for the 1958 fiscal year; its appropriation for the current year is $9,781,100. With respect to the statistical data requested regarding the workload of the Commission, I am enclosing herewith 150 copies of statistical charts which reflect the number of broadcast applications on hand both nonhearing and hearing covering the period from July 1, 1958, to April 30, 1959. The organizational charts referred to in your letter are being transmitted separately to the staff of the subcommittee. If I can be of further assistance to the subcommittee in this matter please do not hesitate to call on me. Sincerely yours, JOHN C. DOERFER, Chairman. |