Freedom of Communications

Report Outline
United States Problems of Foreign Communications
Communications Changes Between Two Wars
American and British Cable-Radio Systems
Communications After World War Ii

United States Problems of Foreign Communications

Early action to strengthen the position of the United States in the field of international communications has been recommended to Congress by the Federal Communications Commission as a preparatory step to the negotiation of an international agreement to guarantee freedom of world communications after the war. In the opinion of James L, Fly, chairman of the commission, no single subject “is more important to the future security of the world and to the standing of this country in the world of tomorrow than to have a comprehensive and rapid and efficient flow of communications to and from all important points on the face of the globe.”

A resolution adopted by the Senate, Oct. 19, 1943, declared that: “It is necessary in the interests of the United States that a national and international policy… with respect to international communications should be determined and declared, and that the highest practical standards of operations and services should be made effective at fair and just rates.” Effort of communications experts attached to the United States peace delegation after the last war to obtain consideration at Versailles of an American project for a well-ordered and equitable telecommunications system modeled after the International Postal Union led to no result.

Unification of American Communications System

A dozen American radio and cable companies compete with foreign systems, and with each other, in the field of international communications. In view of the fact that most of the foreign systems are monopolies, members of the Federal Communications Commission believe unification of the American system is essential if the United States is to be in position to effect its purposes in this field after the close of World War II.