CAPT. GUY HILL, CHIEF ENGINEER. C U.S. RADIO COIMISSION A H- | dl i I NCLE SAM personally, along wit} rank and file of parents generally, face to face with the modern probler i What to beyond its traditions as to of “flaming yout a child which—old defies all the youngster ot = should be and him Uncle with a problem in paterns discipline which, literally, bids awake nights, This youngster, none other than Young Radio, arrived at a husky maturity in a few years which normally would have brought him at most to adolescence, has, admittedly, pped the family provision for his development. As a re sult, he's bursting out of bounds both mentally and physically, and one of y important jobs facing the national Ta council, which in this case is Congress, is to j his future regulation and disciplining on a grown-up basis As an infant, Radio ously turned over to the merce for whatever nursing and seemed necessary His walls and squawks, however, spon grew so vociferous that special tutelage and direction necessary. So the child was transferred to the authority of a special Com- mission, instructed to guide his behavior. Lim. itations, however, on Commission authority, and uncertainty as to how Congress would regard strict disciplinary measures, have resulted in a situation that presages a further Congressional family council on his future control. outstri rather unceremoni-, Department of was Com- care seemed Preparatory to this, the recent special session of the Senate, just prior to its adjournment, adopted a resolution directing the Radio Com- mission to transmit to that body a detailed analysis of the entire radio broadcasting set-up in effect today. Senator Sackett, of Kentucky, who introduced the resolution, said it was de signed to provide Congress with full information as to existing radio conditions in order that proper consideration might be given legislation to meet newly revealed needs. Present plans for futura radio control provide for the ultimate transfer of regulation to a Com- munications Commission, with power over radlo, telegraph, telephone, and electric transmission, similar to that now exercised over railroads by the Interstate Commerce Commission. A bill providing for this commission has been intro duced by Senator Couzens, of Michigan, and an effort will be made to advance its status in the present session of Congress, There are indica- tions that it has administration support and that, ultimately, some such set-up will be accom plished, In the meantime, however, it is through the tadio Commission that Congress must continue to deal’ with the problems of radio. In its con- sideration of conditions to be met, the problem of rural radio promises to play an increasingly important part. Under this heading comes both the sort of programs that are available to folks on the farms throughout the country and the degree of satisfaction with which these pro- grams can be received in farm homes, In an attempt to equalize broadcasting facil ities and to insare an even distribution of sta- tions and programs, the Commission late in 1928 put into effect a reallocation of power and wave- fongths for all stations. It also reserved as “cleared channels” forty wavelengths which were assigned to single stations equipped to pro vide national broadcasts. These “cleared chan- nels” were assigned equally among the five zones into which the country has been divided for purposes of radio administration. The status of these “cleared channels” is one which seems certain to occupy much of the time of both Congress and the Commission. Are they good or bad? Have they helped or hindered the development of real radio service to the coun- try? On these questions there is a wide divergence of opinion. A proposal to increase the number of “cleared channels” to fifty, supported by two members of the Commission, Is countered by a proposal to reduce their number to twenty, sup- ported likewise by two Commissioners. The public's real preference on this question has not been made sufficiently definite to con: vince a majority of the Commission either way. In this situation an expression from listeners, particularly listeners on the farms and isolated sections, would be of real help to the Commis sion. Letters on this subject should be ad. Ud. I be 2 i, to the Radio Commission, Washington, 1¢ absence of a clearly expressed public political pressure or expediency that will oe ther fcapped by the po- nd-haul that beset embers of the Commission, lean toward an in- crease in the number of cleared channels, if necessary even at the complete sacrifice of cer tain existing stations William D. Terrell, of the Department of of the radio division mmerce, and lason offi departmer 1 the Radio Com- mission, declares that the cleared channel has » need and believes the num ber might properly be fn¢ wy * I aunnar: ¢ x gid i 8LPPOT Ciudad cer between that filled a very reased l Terrell declares, “because they make possible the distrbiution of programs withoy onfli or the listener, The farmer an is more in need of radio service t should orded it. well have set aside chan- be ace 40 cleared nels.” Capt. Guy HI, mission, declares that radio's chief is too chief engineer for the Com trouble today Diplomatically avolding unofficial discussion of the cleared channel ques- tion while many stations it is pending before the Commission ers, he does not hesitate to condemn the whole. sale licenses that has resulted in the operation within the United States, of more than 600 radio stations. “Under the reallocation,” he explains, “the assignments of 84 per ‘cent of the 600-0dd sta- tions on the air were shuffled. To make possi ble improved reception for distant listeners, not- ably the farmers, the aside 40 cleared channels for the exclusive use of high powered stations, Thirty-four channels were de- gigned for regional ranging in power from 250 to 1000 watts, The remaining 16 chan- nels were designated for ‘local’ stations, ranging in power up to 250 watts, “It is very difficult, however, to improve con- ditions when the broadcast band is crammed full with stations. Fewer stations would make possible much better reception.” Thanks to improved equipment, however, rather than to Commission edicts, Capt. Hill says, there is, nevertheless, a steady improve- ment in the quality of reception enjoyed by the listeners. “Reception is improving,” he declares. “Bet. ter equipment, making possible higher percent. ages of modulation by stations and higher power on cleared channels all have made for improve- ment, “Particularly on the receiving end, manufac turers are turning out improved and higher grade sets which permit of sharper tuning and a greater fidelity of reception.” Typical of this improved reception, especially for farm listeners, is the recent adaptation of the screen grid principle to sets designed for farm homes, This has been accomplished by A. Atwater Kent, of Philadelphia, who, inciden- tally, is the largest manufacturer of radio receiv. ing sets in the world. Kent, it appears, had been particularly impressed by the dependence of farmers and residents in emall towns on radio and the necessity of providing them with the most efficient receivers possible, The screen grid tube, making possible higher amplification, greater selectivity and range, was originally developed for use only with sets draw- ing their power from electric lighting circuits, Kent, however, set himself to the job of per fecting a screen grid set for farms, where such current is not available. The result is a seven. tube, screen-grid receiver, operating an electro dynamic speaker solely from battery current, which in range, volume, selectivity and tone puts the most isolated farm home on a parity with the city residence in quality of reception, The future of chain broadcasting, as it bears on the problem of providing the best programs for the country as a whole, is another question on which there is diversity of opinion both in the Commission and in Congress. How to retain for the country generally the opportunity to hear the greatest artists and entertainers—usually available only In metropolitan centers-—without curtailing the freedom and scope allowed local stations is an ever-present problem, The chain, however, appears certain to remain issuance of today, Commission set service, - with us. The government itself depends on ps to carry its broadcasts, and espe- 4 farm > og opm wealise 1 » ¢} 1 broadcast valuable chain-hooku cially in it programs designed to reach the Depart gcross the continent, and fron Gulf, by a hookup of thirt i Broadcast: hookup is de- scribed by Secretary of Agriculture Hyde of the ' of the year in connection with the Department's ciated with the National The utilization of this chain #8 one “outstanding developments’ past radio service to farmers, “The Inauguration of broadcasts of the great ct thruogh one mmercial chain-broadcas reported to the Pr “was chief among the outstanding developments tems,” he recently of the past year in the agricullural radio service Previously the department's radio programs had been supplied to broadcasting stations in script “in October, casting Cc posal a broadcast daily, it became possible 1928, when the National Broad npany placed at » Departn t's dis network of stations minute for members of the Department to broadcast material in per- son. Approximately 200 partment and 18 guest speakers have appeared before the microphone In these programs and much valuable information on farming and home making has been broadeast Despite all the mushroom growth of tional infants, members of the De problems resulting from the this huskiest of our na Uncle Sam is confident the youth will soon steady down Into an orderly as well as a powerful citizen. The pains that have beset him have largely growing-pains, His in- tractability has been only that of adolescence, A little more parental discipline bit of “laying on the rod” by Radio will fall into step. Its biggest errors to date—like that of most “flaming youth”-—have been made merely in the effort to find itself been perhaps a Congress and New Jersey Highway Commission to Construct 2'4 Mile Viaduct TRENTON.—Work to be carried forward dur ing the approaching summer by the New Jersey State Highway Commission to complete the super-roadway, or Holland Tunnel thorough- fare, between Newark and Jersey City will give that state the longest high level viaduct in the world constructed for the use of traffic only, To join the completed sections of the super. roadway in Jersey City and Newark a viaduct two and one-half miles long will be built across the Kearny peninsula and bridges with an under. clearance of 135 feet will be thrown across the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers. As a measure of relief from the congestion which now exists on the Lincoln Highway across the Hackensack River the Highway Commission plans to build the new Hackensack span first and will have a fixed bridge which will not delay automobiles through future turnings of a draw span. By means of ramps to the local streets of Jersey City and Kearny tourists will be permit. ted to use the Hackensack Bridge even before the remainder of the viaduct has been finished. Bids for the Hackensack span are to be received within the next few weeks, and the entire im. provement between Jersey City and Newark is scheduled for completion by the end of 1932, By blasting an avenue through the tough rock on the heights of Jersey City the hway Board has opened up a subsurface roadway that is en. tirely free of street intersections and railroad grade erossings in Jersey City. In Newark the super-roadway consists of a viaduct over all rail roads and cross streets. This arrangement per mits of a run of thirteen miles between Jersey City and Elizabeth over a bonlevard of the most modern type. The roadway nas a width of fifty feet, to permit of four lines of moving vehicles and one lane for disabled machines. The saeetion of the supercroadway through Elizabeth now is being constructed, and a via duct over Elizabeth Avenue in that municipality is scheduled for completion by next July. When it is thrown open traffic from the Holland Tun nel will have a roadway over a practically new alignment from Jersey City to both Camden and Trenton. » Needless Pain! The man who wouldn't drive his motorcar half a mile when it's out of order, will often drive his brain all day with a head that's throbbing, Such punishment isn't very good for one’s nerves! It's unwise, and it’s unnecessary, A tablet or two of Bayer Aspirin will relieve a head- ache every time. So, remember this accepted antidote for pain, and spare yourself a lot of needless suf- fering. Read the proven directions and you'll discover many valuable uses for these tablets, For head- aches; to check colds. To ease a sore throat and reduce the infection. For relieving neuralgic, neuritic, rheumatic pain. It is not, settled! ve pain. That's People used to wonder if Bayer Aspirin was harmful. The doctors i Bent STATION C COMPOUND DE A&ALERS id me today tl girl in our send You not incurable! ou mean?” hit of talking to faults the 1 Observer | work overt are upset Baby ills and ailments seem twice as serious at night. A sud- den cry may mean colic. Or a sudden attack of diarrhea—a con- dition it is always important to check quickly. How would you meet this emergency—tonight? Have you a bottle of Castoria ready? There is nothing that can take the place of this harmless but effective remedy for children; nothing that acts quite the same, or has quite the same comforting effect on them. For the protection of your wee one—for your own peace of mind ~keep this old, reliable prepara- led to bury their (AD ALCOCK, - 3 PER CPT o Foo by Regul he Stomach nd Ponts @ TT CLs TALL A Angee Wir druggists Going Strong! . am og 4 new mah, ual aa active as a , says Mr. Kirby. “1 feel fine all the time and have an ache or a pain, although for twenty-five years I suffered with rheumatism, and sometimes was un~ able 16 stand OF Wo not ve up my simple discovery P or five thousand d
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers