To the Broadcast Division of the Federal Communications Commission Report on Social and Economic Data (B) Definitions of "social" and "economic' (C) Relationship between social-economic and engineering phases.. B. Summary of evidence relative to cost- C. Summary of testimony of each witness_. D. Distribution of classes of stations to cities of various population___ E. Distribution of stations of all classes to States___ F. Suggested station questionnaire to be used for statistical summaries__ G. Sources of information relative to capabilities of economic support of radio broadcasting stations by various communities and sections of H. Trade organizations available for cooperation in securing factual data K. List of broadcast chains or networks_. REPORT ON SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DATA ON BROADCASTING SECTION I INTRODUCTION Commencing October 5, 1936, the Broadcast Division of the Federal Communications Commission held an informal hearing on the subject of allocation improvements in the standard broadcast band 550-1600 kc. At the hearing considerable evidence bearing partly or wholly on social and economic factors was introduced. This evidence was in response to the notice of hearing which stated that The Broadcast Division of the Commission desires to obtain the most complete information available with respect to this broad subject of allocation, not only in its engineering but also in its corollary social and economic phases, and specifically asked for information as to the effect of any proposals "socially and economically" upon the public and the industry. It may be recalled that in the preliminary engineering report concerning the same hearing rendered by this Department to the Broadcast Division on January 11, 1937, we expressed the feeling that recommendations covering social and economic factors are not ordinarily within the province of this Department. Hence, in responding to the request of the Broadcast Division of the Commission for a detailed analysis of the voluminous social and economic evidence presented at the hearing, our mission is solely to utilize our best judgment to apply a dispassionate engineering form of analysis to this subject and to present facts, conclusions, and recommendations to form a basis of discussion and constructive consideration by the Broadcast Division, the Commission, or possibly by the Congress. We desire to make clear that we do not consider that engineering training alone is sufficient to make "economists." With this in mind, the Engineering Department obtained the assistance of Herman S. Hettinger, Ph. D., of the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, University of Pennsylvania, an economist experienced in radio matters. Upon recommendation of this Department, he was engaged by the Commission to advise us. Dr. Hettinger has prepared various digests and summaries for the Department and has analyzed statistical data. The Engineering Department has carefully checked these summaries and digests with the actual evidence, and on the basis of the evidence has exercised its own judgment in the drawing of conclusions. This is mentioned to make clear to the Commission that although every consideration has been given to Dr. Hettinger's work, our report sets forth the independent judgment of the Engineering Department. However, in order that the Commission may know the details of Dr. Hettinger's report, it is attached as Supplement 1. In order not to burden the main report with detailed discussions of the testimony recorded in the October hearing, and to give some relief to the burden of studying the voluminous record of more than half a million words, exclusive of the vast data contained in the exhibits attached to the record, the Department has made a brief |