Radio: Congress on the Air?

The idea of putting Congress on the air might appeal to many a U.S. citizen, but to most Congressmen the idea is nightmarish. Last week the nightmare threatened them: Senator Claude Pepper of Florida had introduced a joint resolution calling for Congressional debate on the national networks.

Congress can be expected to keep Senator Pepper’s proposal a bad dream for some time to come, but the Senator has great hopes for the future. Manhattan Station WMCA is with him, has already offered its facilities.

Congress has never been on the air, but the House once had a short-lived loudspeaker system. Speaker John Nance Garner of Texas, before whom the microphone was placed, abolished it the second day it was in operation. Wishing a short snort after a rugged session, “Cactus Jack” heard that a member was about to deliver a “special order” speech. Said Speaker Garner, forgetting that his lightest word could be heard all over the chamber: “Now what is that son of a bitch going to talk about?” After adjournment, Speaker Garner told House electricians: “Get that damned thing off of there! I don’t need it, and I won’t have it ! ” New Zealand Does It. Senator Pepper’s Joint Resolution No. 145, now locked up in the Senate Committee on Rules, has its precedents. For the last eight years New Zealand has broadcast its Parliamentary debate — with apparent benefits to all concerned (TIME, Nov. 1, 1943). Manhattan’s station WNYC broadcast the proceedings of the New York City Council for two years (1938-1940). They were such a farcical success that the Councilmen eventually voted themselves off the air.

Senator Pepper is one Congressman not afraid to be wired for sound. He also advocates television (perhaps envisioning the toe-&-fan dance which Representative Dewey Short of Missouri performed on the House floor in the process of defeating a bill to establish a Bureau of Fine Arts). Says Senator Pepper in support of his bill:

“I think it would do wonders to raise the standard of debate in Congress. I think, too, that … it would raise the level of Congress. It would improve the process of making Democracy work.

“If the people could listen daily to Congress and they got tired of too much dullness, they’d either change the membership or register their will in some fashion. If we don’t broadcast the proceedings some time and keep step with the advance of radio, the people are going to begin asking whether we are afraid to let them hear what we are saying. It’s their business we are transacting. . . .”