ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, May 24, 1996 TAG: 9605240059
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
The mood was far from spiritual as Republican senators tangled Thursday over religious broadcasters' demands for cheaper access to the music they play. At issue were licensing arrangements the broadcasters say make them pay for rights to far more music than they can put on the airwaves.
``I'm just at the point where I'm going to start getting mad about one side thinking their interests are more important than anybody else's,'' said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.
Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., had read to the committee letter after letter from supporters of an amendment he wrote to change the payment rules. When he told Hatch he planned to continue reading for another 45 minutes, Hatch retorted: ``If I was trying to screw the broadcasters, it's another matter. But I'm not going to do that.''
Hatch has offered to meet with all sides to try to resolve the dispute.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 28 linesby CNB