To Amend the Communications Act of 1934

Mr. TRAMMELL. In connection with this new development of Ultrafax, to show you the capacity of this development, the text of an average size edition of the New York Times or the Washington Star could be transmitted from New York to San Francisco in about 12 seconds. It is really quite an unusual development, and I think it will have a tendency to revolutionize a great many of our communications ideas, both to the home and point to point.

We believe, Mr. Chairman, that Congress should enunciate again, in clear and unmistakable terms, the philosophy and the policies under which broadcasting can keep pace with its expanding opportunities for service. The regulatory body should be given the limits beyond which it cannot go so as to assure no interference with the rights of a free radio. We believe the Commission should be denied any authority involving control of the program service that the American people are to receive. We must remember that such control would embrace not only communication through sound, but through sight-and-sound as well as facsimile printing. No agency should ever be permitted, by the threat of revocation of a license or denial of renewal, to intimidate broadcasters as to the kind of program service they must render to the public.

Those who would exercise regulatory power over business practices and program content have based their claims on the scarcity of radio wavelengths. The alleged scarcity has been used to justify restraints on radio that are not imposed upon the press. This excuse, I submit, can no longer stand up against the facts.

Today there are more radio stations in the cities of this country than there are daily newspapers. In many places there are more than twice as many. I submit an exhibit showing the 162 cities in which NBC has affiliated stations, and, Mr. Chairman, if you would not mind referring to the exhibit, I would like to show you that in the 162 cities where we have affiliated stations there are a total of 617 radio stations and only 321 newspapers.

So the excuse that has been given in the past that the reason for the necessity of regulating radio is based upon the scarcity of frequencies, no longer exists.

For instance, take the State of Maine, a State with which you are familiar.

The CHAIRMAN. I know something about it.

Mr. TRAMMELL. In Augusta there are two radio stations and one. newspaper. In Bangor there are four radio stations and two newspapers. In Portland there are four radio stations and two newspapers. In Oklahoma, we have the city of Oklahoma City, with six radio stations and two newspapers.

Senator MOORE. Really one, is it not?

Mr. TRAMMELL. Really one, but there are two separate mastheads. In Tulsa there are five radio stations and two newspapers. So I want to emphasize that the reason that has been expressed so frequently for the necessity of putting these various restraints and controls on radio has been the scarcity of frequencies.

The CHAIRMAN. May I interrupt you right there? Do you desire exhibit A to be a part of the record?

Mr. TRAMMELL. If you please.

The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, it will be a part of the record.