James Lawrence Fly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Lawrence Fly
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| Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission | |
| In office September 1, 1939 – November 13, 1944 |
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| President | Franklin D. Roosevelt |
| Preceded by | Frank R. McNinch |
| Succeeded by | Ewell K. Jett |
| Chairman, Defense Communications Board | |
| In office September 24, 1940 – November 13, 1944 |
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| Preceded by | office created |
| Succeeded by | Ewell K. Jett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 22, 1898 Dallas County, Texas |
| Died | January 6, 1966 (aged 67) Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Mildred Marvin Jones |
| Children | James Lawrence Fly, Jr., and Sara Virginia Fly |
| Alma mater | United States Naval Academy, Harvard Law School |
| Occupation | lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1920–1923 |
James Lawrence "Larry" Fly (born February 22, 1898 – died January 6, 1966) was an American lawyer. He became well-known as the leader of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Later, he also directed the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Fly helped set up rules for commercial television. He also strongly spoke out against wiretapping during his career.
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Early Life and Career
Fly grew up in Texas. He finished North Dallas High School in 1916. After that, he went to the United States Naval Academy. He served three years in the United States Navy.
He then left the Navy to study law. He earned his law degree from Harvard Law School. For a short time, Fly worked as a private lawyer. Then, he started working for the government. He handled cases about fair business practices.
In 1934, Fly joined the Tennessee Valley Authority. This was a government agency. He started as a solicitor general. He rose to become the general counsel. Fly married Mildred Marvin Jones in 1923. They had two children, James Lawrence, Jr., and Sara Virginia.
Leading the FCC
Fly became the chairman of the FCC in 1939. He took over from Frank McNinch. At this time, commercial television had not yet started in the U.S. In April 1939, RCA tried to broadcast TV shows for money. They did this in New York City. These broadcasts were just tests and not officially allowed.
In December 1939, the FCC said it would allow some commercial broadcasts. But it was not clear what rules to use. By early 1940, RCA tried to control the TV industry. Many other companies did not like this. The FCC stopped all commercial broadcasts. They said the TV industry needed to agree on rules first.
To solve this problem, Fly encouraged Walter R. G. Baker to create a group. This group was called the National Television System Committee, or NTSC. Soon, they reached an agreement on standards. This became a model for the FCC. They used this model many times to set new rules for new technologies.
As FCC chairman, Fly also led the Defense Communications Board. This board was later called the Board of War Communications. President Franklin D. Roosevelt created it in September 1940.
Protecting Privacy
In September 1940, J. Edgar Hoover of the FBI asked the FCC for help. He wanted to wiretap all calls to and from countries fighting against the U.S. This was despite a law against wiretapping. Section 605 of the Communications Act of 1934 made it illegal. Fly refused to agree to this. He wrote a letter to President Roosevelt explaining why.
President Roosevelt nominated Fly for another seven-year term. This new term began on July 1, 1942. The U.S. Senate approved Fly's appointment. They voted for him unanimously on June 29, 1942.
In 1941, Sam Hobbs, a U.S. Representative, introduced a bill. This bill would make wiretapping legal for the FBI. It would also allow other government agencies to wiretap. This would happen if they thought a serious crime was taking place. Attorney General Robert H. Jackson supported the bill. It seemed like it would pass.
But Fly spoke against the bill to Congress. His strong testimony helped stop the bill from passing. This made Fly well-known across the country. However, it also made Roosevelt and Hoover unhappy. The FBI continued to wiretap illegally. They also started collecting information on Fly. Hoover publicly criticized Fly. He even questioned Fly's loyalty to the United States. In 1943, a House committee looked into the FCC. They accused Fly of preventing wiretap laws. They linked this to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Fly left the FCC in November 1944. He then started his own law practice in New York City. Commissioner Ewell K. Jett temporarily took his place. Later, Paul A. Porter became the new chairman.
Leading the ACLU
Fly became the director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in 1946. The ACLU works to protect people's rights. One famous case during Fly's time was about Judith Coplon. She was accused of sharing secrets. The trial showed that the FBI was illegally wiretapping. This caused a lot of trouble for the FBI. These wiretaps included talks between Coplon and her lawyer. The FBI then destroyed recordings. This happened before the court could hear them.
Coplon was found guilty. But the case was appealed. The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit heard the appeal. Judge Learned Hand said that her guilt was clear. But he overturned the conviction. He did this because the evidence was collected illegally. There was also other bad conduct, like Coplon being arrested without a legal paper.
Private Law Practice
In 1949, Fly represented a labor leader named Harry Bridges. Bridges faced being sent out of the country. This was because he was accused of lying. He had said he was not a Communist. This case went to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1953. The Supreme Court ruled against the government.
After this case, Fly faced many challenges. Newspaper writers questioned his loyalty to the country. A special board even called him a "concealed Communist."
In 1953, Fly debated House Majority Leader Charles A. Halleck. They discussed the use of wiretaps. This debate was on Edward R. Murrow's TV show, "See It Now." Fly also wrote many articles against wiretapping. He spoke to a Senate committee about the practice.
Fly passed away from cancer in Daytona Beach, Florida.
