Rule of Procedure for Senate Investigating Committees

Let the caucus rooms be remodeled, with reporters placed in a balcony or mezzanine and with radio and TV broadcasters and photographers housed in special booths.

In suitable quarters, their presence would scarcely be noticeable. This system is already operating effectively in the new United Nations Building in New York. It permits a quiet, dignified session, without any restrictions on newsmen and without noise, lights, or bustle to distract the delegates.

It should be recognized that this building-where most hearings are held-is a 19th century structure which is no longer functional. The problem of modernization needs to be attacked scientifically.

To illustrate what I have in mind, I invite your attention to a report filed March 4 this year with the chief clerk of the committee, Mr. Bookwalter. This report, signed by Julian Goodman of the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association as a representative of a television subcommittee, recommended the installation of certain permanent light and voice pickup facilities in the Senate caucus room.

I won't take time to read the whole report, but I should like to read the recommendation contained in paragraph No. 1 on the subject of lighting.

I shall not read the excerpt I have here from that report, but I should like to conclude by pointing out that the recommendations which were contained in this report were submitted by a rather hastily formed committee consisting of radio and television technicians, film editors, cameramen, and others, none of whom is a specialist on illumination or a lighting engineer.

They were not equipped for a thorough study. Compare their suggestions with the existing facilities at the United Nations Assembly chamber, where special lights are built into walls and ceilings, and wired with controls to turn on automatically when cameras start.

The question then is, Is there any reason why the Capitol should not be rewired to provide suitable conduits and outlets in the most convenient places, and eliminate the miles of unsightly wires that have to be used in the present jerry-rigged hookups?

We feel, therefore, that it is not enough to protest against the adoption of Senate Resolution 249. We should go further and recommend measures for even fuller coverage of congressional activities.

We, as working reporters, would frequently recommend to our editors that the less spectacular work of standing committees deserved special coverage, frequently, if it were possible to set up microphones and cameras quickly, unobtrusively, and inexpensively.

I think I shall conclude with that, unless there are questions.
The CHAIRMAN. Thank you very much, Mr. Costello.

At this time, the committee will stand in recess until further notice. (Thereupon, at 1 p. m., the committee was recessed, to reconvene subject to the call of the Chair.)