Show Bennett Works For Passage Of Bill Ap Approving roving Boosters By Sin Sen Wallac Wallace F F. F B Bennett Television In the past pMt decade has become a major influence in American life Ute too much of an influence I sometimes think but its a part of our culture for better or for worse wone Consequently it tt seems only fair that as many people as u possible be given a chance to enjoy It And this brings up a problem which Is getting a lot lotof lotof lotof of atten attention on these d days especIally especially espe espe- dally in tn Utah and other Western Western West- West ern em states booster television stations Many who live a considerable con con- considerable distance from Salt Satt Lake fake now receive their television television sion slon via booster stations and naturally they were very much disturbed last December when the Federal Communications Commission announced that it was going to eliminate all such stations or require them to togo togo togo go to UHF which means that they could be picked up only on sets which had been adapted for UHF Such adaptation Is a 11 rather costly procedure At that time I and many other members of Congress urged the FCC to reconsider its decision It did and agreed to license most of the booster stations now in operation provided provided pro vided that certain legislation be passed by Congress clarifying clarifying clarify clarify- ing the FCC responsibilities In Inthis Inthis this area Utah now has a number of TV booster stations no one seems to know exactly how many since they are not registered registered registered regi regi- and these bese stations will be permitted 0 to remain in operation pending a final settlement of the entire booster station problem Although there are resolutions resolutions resolutions before Congress to auth auth auth- orize the FCC to license booster stations It tt should be pointed out that the FCC already has this authority Any decision re- re regarding regarding garding them Is ts basically en lin administrative matter There are certain phases of the problem pro pro- bl blem m however which do need legislation and the FCC has supported such legislation I believe Congress will wilt act acl soon on these related bills In the meantime I am sin working directly directly dir dir- cells with the FCC on the booster station problem and 1 I think those who are are benefitIng benefiting benefit benefit- ing from these stations can be assured that with very few exceptions ex they will be permitted to continue operation A related problem Is that of Community Antenna TV sta stations which serve a number of communities in tn Utah including ing Price Richfield Vernal and Sunnyside The pending legislation legislation legis legis- lation would that such stations must have the consent of the parent station In order order order or or- der to pick up programs for tor transmission to the community y This provision is not likely to adversely affect any Utah com com- As for fop the authorized UHF translator stations in tn Utah such as are arc now serving Delta Oak City Castle Dale Fillmore Orangeville Meadow and Kan osh these stations will continue continuo to operate as they do at present I if the new legislation is passed The problem of assigning broadcast frequencies which will not interfere with other stations is a difficult and some sometimes sometimes times almost impossible one But Dut I am confident that a solution solution solution sol sol- ution to the booster station p problem is being worked out out by FCC and Congress which will be for the best good of all concerned |